Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail

The coastal path that runs along Pembrokeshire's cliffs is one of those walks where you round a corner and suddenly understand why people move to Wales. Starting near Cardigan, the trail hugs 186 miles of dramatic shoreline - you're never more than a few minutes from a view that makes your phone camera feel inadequate.

It's a proper trail, mind. Not a stroll. The path climbs and drops constantly as it follows the coastline, which means your legs know about it by day two, but the trade-off is worth every ache. You get secluded beaches, sea stacks that look like they've been placed by an art director, and enough golden light in the late afternoon to photograph for hours.

This suits walkers who actually want a challenge rather than a gentle amble. Families with young kids will manage sections of it fine - the Mwnt Camping and Nantycroy campsite spots give you access to manageable day walks - but doing it as a full trail takes proper planning and decent fitness. Birdwatchers and geology types will have a field day. The rocks tell a story if you know how to read them.

Allow a full day for serious stretches, or knock out 6-8 miles as a morning walk if you're based at one of the nearby sites. Spring's best for wildflowers; summer gets rammed with other walkers. Cardigan itself makes a logical base, though you'll want to be realistic about how much you'll actually complete in a week. Even two or three days on the trail beats a fortnight of half-measures elsewhere.