Autumn Walks in Pembrokeshire

Best Walking Trails

In Pembrokeshire, we’re lucky to have beautiful National Park walks right on our doorstep. 

Autumn in Pembrokeshire is a magical season and with 186 miles of Coastal Path, there’s plenty to choose from when it comes to brisk, autumnal walks. These tranquil settings each provide havens for nature lovers, ramblers, and tranquillity seekers of all ages.

Canaston Woods Walk

The Canaston Wood route is a truly autumnal walk where you can hear nothing but the leaves crunching with every step. With so many footpaths and different routes to take, there are a lot of options depending on whether you want a long, short, hard, or east walk.

Packed with history, as well as flora and fauna, the woodlands here are beautiful. Depending on which route you take, you could even come across a ruined chapel or the Iron Age fort. There are lots of hidden gems on this leafy trail just waiting to be discovered.

A favourite with dog walkers, Canaston Wood offers acres of space with no livestock meaning they’ll love being off the lead but watch out for where the wood straddles a busy main road.

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Bosherston Lily Ponds

The Bosherston Lily Ponds trail at Stackpole is an easy 6-mile loop that encompasses some of the finest coastal scenery that Pembrokeshire has to offer. Even though June is a favourite time to visit when the lilies are out in full bloom, autumn is just as good with the otters that can be seen bobbing in the water.

This fantastic walk passes through the magical ponds, skirts along the dramatic coastal cliffs and even visits two of Pembrokeshire's finest beaches Broadhaven South and Barafundle Bay. You’ll pass Saddle Point, a magnificent circular pool below the cliffs which sits at the eastern end of Broadhaven South and looks directly towards Church Rock. From here, you’ll follow the Coastal Path to Stackpole Head until you reach the crown jewel of Pembrokeshire at Barafundle Bay.

From Barafundle, you can continue along the Coastal Path to complete the full loop or retrace your steps back to the car park at the start.

Barafundle Bay

Ty Canol Woods

For another woodland walk, we’d recommend Ty Canol Woods in Newport. Boasting 170 acres of ancient oak woodland, this mystical setting has many twists, turns and paths to choose from. Interestingly, it is one of only six Welsh wood pasture sites of international importance due to the 400 species of lichens which thrive there.

The atmospheric ancient woodland can be accessed via an easy circuit walk that is virtually all flat. The forest canopy provides an excellent shelter from the worst of the wind and rain meaning it’s a great walk no matter the weather.

Along the way, you’ll pass some pretty scenery and you may even spot some horses. The thick covering of moss on the rocks and trees is what gives the forest its mysterious vibe. As you continue along the flat path, you’ll pass more beautiful forest with the occasional views out to fields and even the odd glimpse of the sea in places. It’s such a peaceful walk and the ease of it makes it feel even more relaxing to do.

Colby Woodland Garden

Colby Woodland Garden is a tranquil wooded valley with a rich industrial past that’s full of surprises. In autumn, you can enjoy peaceful shady woodland walks with the marvellous colours on full display from the dogwood and sweet gum. 

Park up and you’ll find an excellent tearoom, an art and craft gallery and a walled garden to explore. From here you can wander through the meadow where dogs are welcome on a lead. Follow the trail, passing the lovely stream, stepping stones, log bridge and the abundance of dragonflies.

The path descends through the woodland leading downhill into the charming coastal village of Amroth where you’ll be greeted with the great expanse of sands on Amroth Beach. This is a short walk but it’s one of the best for autumnal walks in Pembrokeshire. You could continue east along Amroth Beach until you reach the New Inn where you can warm yourself up and replenish your energy with some classic pub grub. Just outside you’ll spot the start (or finish) of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.  

Preseli Hills

In the crisp autumn air, there aren’t many places that can compare to the summits of the Preseli Hills. Making up the North Pembrokeshire landscape, interestingly the Preselis share the same source of Bluestones as that from the inner circle at Stonehenge.

Foel Eryr, which translates to ‘Hill of the Eagle’, is the second-highest peak of the Preselis. This walk is just under 2 miles long and even though it isn’t as wooded as others listed - so there are fewer leaves crunching underfoot - the views from the top make it worth it. Picture 360 panoramic views that stretch out to sea and miles and miles of glorious untouched open countryside. On a very clear day, you can even see as far as Ireland!

While you’re unlikely to spot an eagle at Foel Eryr, it’s worth keeping your eyes on the skies for the kites, buzzards, skylarks, kestrels, and ravens that swoop overhead. You may want to keep your eyes peeled for the various landmarks on the horizon. At the summit, there’s even a Bronze Age burial site marked out by a stone enclosure. 

The Golden Road provides a much longer walk of 8 miles if you’re looking for something more challenging. This follows an ancient track that is said to date back to the Neolithic Period.

St Davids to Solva

A grey day in Pembrokeshire is the perfect time to plan a walking day out on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path breathing in nothing but coastal air. Set off with a flask and some sandwiches to replenish your energy along the way and take the coastal walk from St Davids to Solva, a must-do if staying in the area.

After exploring everything that the smallest city of St Davids has to offer, head to St Nons to start your coastal trek. This is where Saint David himself was reputedly born, Saint Non was the name of his mother. Join the Coast Path just beyond the ruined chapel of St Non and head east towards the pretty beach of Caerfai.

Solva Harbour

Follow the Coast Path for your final stretch which takes in dramatic purple cliffs and spectacular views over the islands of Black Scar and Green Scar and out across sweeping St Brides Bay. Distracted by the sea views, this just shy of 5-mile walk will pass you by and before you know it you’ll have arrived in Solva. This fisherman’s village is one of the prettiest locations in Wales with many pubs to treat yourself to a drink after the walk! 

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