02/05/2026
🌿 Pembrokeshire walks that AREN’T the Coast Path, and yes, your knees are invited
When people talk about walking in Pembrokeshire, the Coast Path usually steals the show. Fair enough, it is a bit of a show-off. But away from the cliffs and sea spray, the county is packed with woodland paths, reservoirs, castles, rivers, lily ponds, valleys and Preseli views that are perfect for a family stroll, a gentle leg stretch, or a proper “why did I agree to this hill?” afternoon.
So, whether you’re walking with children, pushing a pram, bringing the dog, easing back into fitness, or just trying to get everyone off a screen for an hour, here are some brilliant Pembrokeshire walks that are not on the Coast Path.
🥾 Easy and family-friendly walks
Carew Millpond Easy Access Walk
Start: Carew Castle car park
Distance: 1 mile / 1.6km
End: Carew Castle car park
Time: Around 30 to 45 minutes
This is one of the best gentle walks in Pembrokeshire. Level, surfaced paths take you around the millpond with views of Carew Castle, the tidal mill and, on a still day, a reflection good enough to make your phone think it is a professional camera. The National Park lists it as an easy access walk with mostly level surfaced paths.
Llys-y-Frân Family Trail
Start: Llys-y-Frân Visitor Centre
Distance: 1.5 miles / 2.4km
End: Back at the Visitor Centre
Time: Around 45 minutes to 1 hour
A cracking choice for families, little legs and anyone who likes their walk with a café nearby. The family trail follows the eastern side of the reservoir, ducking in and out of the trees, with picnic spots along the way. Pembrokeshire County Council describes Llys-y-Frân as a 350-acre country park with a reservoir, wildlife and a family trail from the visitor centre.
Puncheston Short Walk
Start: Puncheston village
Distance: 1.7 miles / 2.7km
End: Puncheston village
Time: Around 1 hour
A short north Pembrokeshire countryside walk with fields, local history and village character. It is not too long, but it still feels like a proper “we went out” walk rather than just wandering to the shop for milk and accidentally buying biscuits. The National Park lists it as a 1.7-mile short walk taking around 1 hour.
Canaston Wood Short Walk
Start: Canaston Wood car park / Minwear area
Distance: 2.3 miles / 3.7km
End: Back at the start
Time: Around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes
Woodland tracks, reasonably level paths and no stiles or gates make this a lovely choice for families and casual walkers. It is a proper trees-and-fresh-air route, with less drama than a teenager asked to unload the dishwasher. The National Park describes the Canaston Wood route as 2.3 miles on reasonably level woodland tracks, with no stiles or gates.
Pengelli Wood
Start: Pengelli Wood area
Distance: 2.2 miles / 3.6km
End: Back at the start
Time: Around 1 hour 30 minutes
Ancient oak woodland, wildlife, mossy paths and a slightly magical feel. It can be muddy in places, so this is one for shoes you do not mind getting a bit “Pembrokeshire authentic”. The National Park lists Pengelli Wood as a 2.2-mile walk taking around 1 hour 30 minutes, through ancient oak woodland on well-defined paths.
🌳 Moderate walks for a bit more adventure
Upton Castle Walk
Start: Upton / Cosheston area
Distance: 2.6 miles / 4.2km
End: Back at the start
Time: Around 1 hour 30 minutes
A lovely mix of woodland, fields and views towards the castle grounds. It is reasonably level overall, with some quiet road walking, so it is a nice middle ground between “gentle stroll” and “I have made a terrible footwear decision”. The National Park lists the Upton walk as 2.6 miles, around 1 hour 30 minutes, with woodland, fields and livestock.
Carew Full Circuit
Start: Carew Castle area
Distance: 3.3 miles / 5.3km
End: Carew Castle area
Time: Around 1 hour 45 minutes
If the 1-mile millpond route feels too short, this longer Carew circuit adds more countryside while keeping the castle and millpond as the headline act. Expect fields, livestock, stone stiles, steps and some road walking. The National Park’s route notes list the full Carew circuit as 3.3 miles, taking around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Llanychaer, Gwaun Valley
Start: Llanychaer
Distance: 3 miles / 4.8km
End: Llanychaer
Time: Around 1 hour 30 minutes
A riverside and woodland route in one of Pembrokeshire’s most atmospheric inland valleys. Expect old bridges, birdsong, muddy patches and one steep section. In other words, it is beautiful, but maybe do not wear your white trainers unless you enjoy regret. The National Park describes it as an easy-to-moderate 3-mile walk taking around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Bosherston Lily Ponds Adventure Walk
Start: Stackpole Outdoor Learning / National Trust centre
Distance: 3 miles / 4.8km
End: Viewpoint over Broad Haven South, then return route as planned
Time: Around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
This is not the Coast Path, but it does give you one of Pembrokeshire’s most beautiful inland water settings. Lily ponds, wildlife, views and a beach viewpoint at the end. Some paths are uneven and there are gradients, so it is more adventure stroll than pavement plod. The National Park lists the Bosherston Lily Ponds adventure walk as 3 miles, starting at Stackpole Outdoor Learning and ending at a viewpoint over Broad Haven South.
Minwear and Canaston Woods Half-Day Walk
Start: Minwear / Canaston Woods area
Distance: 5.1 miles / 8.2km
End: Back at the start
Time: Around 2 hours 30 minutes
For those who want more than a short woodland loop, this gives you riverside views, Blackpool Mill and a good dose of trees. It is reasonably level for the distance, making it a great option for walkers who want a longer outing without heading up into the Preseli Hills. The National Park lists the Minwear and Canaston Woods half-day walk as 5.1 miles, taking around 2 hours 30 minutes.
⛰️ For stronger walkers and “we brought snacks, we mean business” days
Rosebush and Foel Cwmcerwyn
Start: Rosebush
Distance: 4.8 miles / 7.7km
End: Rosebush
Time: Around 2 hours
A proper Preseli walk with forest track, moorland and views. The big draw is Foel Cwmcerwyn, the highest point in Pembrokeshire, plus the old Rosebush slate quarries. This one is more exposed and can involve livestock, so go prepared. The National Park lists the Rosebush route as 4.8 miles, around 2 hours.
Cwm Gwaun Half-Day Walk
Start: Cwm Gwaun / Coed Sychpant area
Distance: 5.2 miles / 8.4km
End: Back at the start
Time: Around 2 hours 15 minutes
Woodland, fields, livestock and steep valley sides. This is a beautiful walk for people who like their countryside with a bit of climb and a lot of character. The National Park notes woodland, fields, livestock and steep ascents on the valley sides.
Llys-y-Frân Reservoir Full Circuit
Start: Llys-y-Frân Visitor Centre
Distance: 6.27 miles / 10.1km
End: Llys-y-Frân Visitor Centre
Time: Around 2 hours 40 minutes
A longer reservoir loop on gravelled track, with water views and plenty of space to clear the head. Welsh Water lists the full reservoir circuit as a hard route of 6.27 miles / 10.1km, taking around 2 hours 40 minutes.
The Golden Road, Preseli Hills
Start: Preseli Hills route area, commonly linked with Rosebush / eastern Preseli access
Distance: 7.4 miles / 12km one way
End: One-way finish, so plan transport before setting off
Time: Around 4 hours
This is one for more experienced walkers. It is a rugged ridge-top route with moorland, boggy patches, livestock, Bronze Age burial mounds, Carn Menyn and big Pembrokeshire views. In other words, it is stunning, but it is not a “pop out in Crocs” situation. The National Park lists the Golden Road as a 7.4-mile one-way route taking around 4 hours.
🌦️ Before you go
Pembrokeshire has walks for just about everyone, from smooth easy-access paths to muddy woodland loops and big Preseli leg-stretchers. Visit Pembrokeshire also highlights that there are accessible routes across the county for wheelchair users, prams, people with limited mobility and anyone looking for a gentler surface.
As always, check the weather, wear the right shoes, keep dogs under control, close gates, take your rubbish home and do not underestimate a “short walk” in Pembrokeshire. It may be short on the map, but somehow still finds a hill. Funny that.
So this weekend, skip the doom scrolling, grab a coat, choose a route and get out into Pembrokeshire. The Coast Path is lovely, but it is not the only star of the show. 🌿🥾
