Walking the South West Coast Path
National Trail From Minehead to South Haven Point
Walking the South West Coast Path
National Trail From Minehead to South Haven Point
Guidebook to walking the entire South West Coast Path National Trail. The route stretches 630 miles from Minehead to Poole along the north Devon, Cornish, south Devon and Dorset coastline. Divided into 45 stages, this national trail could be completed within 4 weeks, or walked in sections. Guide includes maps and essential information.A guidebook to walking the South West Coast Path, a long-distance National Trail from Minehead to Poole, along the north Devon, Cornish, south Devon and Dorset coastline. Covering 1015km (630 miles), this epic route takes in Exmoor National Park and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and takes around 4 weeks to walk.
The route is described in 45 stages between 13 and 38km (8–24 miles) in length. Also described is the 17-mile South Dorset Ridgeway, from West Bexington to Osmington Mills, which can be used as a scenic way to shave 42 miles off the total distance.
- 1:50,000 OS maps for each stage
- GPX files available to download
- Detailed information about accommodation, refreshments and facilities along the route
- Advice on planning and preparation
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781786310682
Availability
Published
Published
13 May 2021
Reprinted
10 Feb 2025
Edition
Third
Pages
352
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.90cm
Weight
410g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device.
Route summary table
INTRODUCTION
Planning your trip
Itineraries
When to go
Travel to the South West
Travel around the South West
Accommodation en route
Facilities en route
Baggage transfer services
One man and his dog
What to take
Planning day by day
Using this guide
Maps and GPS
Time and tide
Waymarking and paths
Rescue services
Safety on the Coast Path
All about the region
Geography
Geology
Plants and wildlife
Culture
Coastal walking through history
A protected coastline
THE SOUTH WEST COAST PATH
Stage 1 Minehead to Porlock Weir
Stage 2 Porlock Weir to Lynmouth
Stage 3 Lynmouth to Combe Martin
Stage 4 Combe Martin to Woolacombe
Stage 5 Woolacombe to Braunton
Stage 6 Braunton to Westward Ho!
Stage 7 Westward Ho! to Clovelly
Stage 8 Clovelly to Hartland Quay
Stage 9 Hartland Quay to Bude
Stage 10 Bude to Boscastle
Stage 11 Boscastle to Port Isaac
Stage 12 Port Isaac to Padstow
Stage 13 Padstow to Porthcothan
Stage 14 Porthcothan to Newquay
Stage 15 Newquay to Perranporth
Stage 16 Perranporth to Portreath
Stage 17 Portreath to St Ives
Stage 18 St Ives to Pendeen Watch
Stage 19 Pendeen Watch to Porthcurno
Stage 20 Porthcurno to Penzance
Stage 21 Penzance to Porthleven
Stage 22 Porthleven to Lizard Point
Stage 23 Lizard Point to Porthallow
Stage 24 Porthallow to Falmouth
Stage 25 Falmouth to Portloe
Stage 26 Portloe to Mevagissey
Stage 27 Mevagissey to Polmear
Stage 28 Polmear to Polperro
Stage 29 Polperro to Portwrinkle
Stage 30 Portwrinkle to Plymouth
Stage 31 Plymouth to Wembury Beach
Stage 32 Wembury Beach to Bigbury-on-Sea
Stage 33 Bigbury-on-Sea to Salcombe
Stage 34 Salcombe to Stoke Fleming
Stage 35 Stoke Fleming to Brixham
Stage 36 Brixham to Shaldon
Stage 37 Shaldon to Budleigh Salterton
Stage 38 Budleigh Salterton to Seaton
Stage 39 Seaton to Seatown
Stage 40 Seatown to Abbotsbury
Stage 41 Abbotsbury to Ferrybridge
Stage 42 Isle of Portland circuit
Stage 43 Ferrybridge to Lulworth Cove
Stage 44 Lulworth Cove to Swanage
Stage 44 (Alternative) Lulworth Cove to Gaulter Gap
Stage 45 Swanage to South Haven Point
SOUTH DORSET RIDGEWAY
West Bexington to Osmington Mills
Appendix A Useful contacts
Appendix B Facilities along the route
Appendix C Topographical glossary
Seasons
Summer is when everything is running, but it is also very busy. Spring can be good, as can Autumn. Winter is best avoided as many facilities are closed and the weather can be bad.
Centres
Minehead, Ilfracombe, Bideford, Bude, Padstow, Newquay, St Ives, Penzance, Falmouth, St Austell, Plymouth, Torquay, Exmouth, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Swanage, Poole
Difficulty
Some stretches are very easy and other stretches include several steep ascents and descents. Most people would enjoy a day's walk almost anywhere on the path in good weather, but it can be exposed in stormy weather. Long-distance walkers should bear in mind that this is a very long trail. Normal day walking kit is fine, but for extended periods on the trail take a change of clothes. Backpackers will of course take everything they need, but should be aware that food and drink are available at regular intervals, so there is no need to carry too many supplies.
Must See
Exmoor National Park, abundant AONBs, long stretches of Heritage Coast, fishing, smuggling and tin mining heritage, Land's End, Lizard Point, Plymouth's naval history, Jurassic Coast, Lulworth Cove
June 2025
Route updates
Stage 1 - Minehead to Porlock Weir
Due to the establishment of the King Charles III England Coast Path, part of the SWCP between Minehead and Porlock Weir has been altered, specifically between North Hill and Bossington.
The 'main' route described in the guidebook is no longer part of the SWCP, though it remains a right of way and can still be walked. The 'Rugged Coast Path' is now the 'main' route. The 'main' route now incorporates the steep and rugged slopes of Hurlstone Point, though in the event of strong winds, a notice advises following an alternative signposted route to Bossington.
Stage 2 - Porlock Weir to Lynmouth
The SWCP now leaves Porlock Weir closer to the coast to reach Worthy, though in the event of an unusually high tide, the old course of the SWCP can still be followed.
A new stretch of the SWCP is now available, running closer to Glenthorne and the coast, rather than passing high above Glenthorne.
Stage 3 - Lynmouth to Combe Martin
Two very short stretches of new path are available either side of Lee Abbey, avoiding short road walks. The very last part of the descent to Combe Martin now uses a new short path.
November 2023
Path closures
Stage 40 - Seatown to Abbotsbury
The coast path has been closed near West Bay due to recent cliff falls and a diversion has been marked a short way inland.
Stage 42 - Isle of Portland Circuit
Continuing erosion on West Cliff has resulted in another short stretch of the coast path being closed and rerouted through nearby quarries.
Full details and maps are available on the South West Coast Path Association website
www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walk-coast-path/south-west-coast-path-national-trail/route-changes/
December 2022
Pages 267 & 269 - Lyme Regis to Charmouth
A short stretch of the South West Coast Path between Lyme Regis and Charmouth has been realigned and improved, removing the need for walkers to follow a stretch of the busy A3052 road. The map extract shows the extent of the new route, which measures less than 1.5km (1 mile).
Follow the route in the guidebook and cross the Lyme Regis Golf Course as described. Enter the 'mature mixed woodland' beyond, then turn right as indicated by a new signpost for Charmouth. The new path is clear and obvious as it runs through the wood, passing yet another statue of Mary Anning. There is a tall fence alongside as the path runs beside another part of the golf course.
Continue alongside fields, then maybe make a short detour to the right when a notice indicates 'viewpoints'. From here, you can overlook The Spittles, where landslips are a regular occurrence. Return to the path, which reaches a gate, then a track and road drop steeply, directly to Charmouth. Turn right at the bottom to follow Higher Sea Lane, continuing with the route description in the guidebook to reach the shore.
September 2022
Page 170 map and page 171 description
The course of the SWCP has been improved slightly on the southern side of Gillan Creek.
If the tide is out and Gillan Creek is forded, or if a ferry is used between Gillan and St Anthony-in-Meneage, then the new route isn't used.
If the Coast Path is being followed inland from Gillan to Carne, then it no longer climbs through fields to reach a road running to Carne. Instead, follow the newly signposted route through fields to Tregithey, then follow a path beside Gillan Creek to reach the road at Carne.
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