The best day walks on the South West Coast Path inspired by The Salt Path

The Salt Path memoir tells the emotional story of Raynor and Moth Winn's journey along the South West Coast Path (SWCP) in 2013, using Cicerone's Walking the South West Coast Path guidebook by Paddy Dillon. Now a major motion picture starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, the tale has inspired many to don their walking boots and follow in their footsteps. If you're seeking a day walk to experience the magic of the path without covering too much distance, here are the best sections to hike, complete with public transport links back to the starting point.

Walking the South West Coast Path

National Trail From Minehead to South Haven Point

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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.

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Minehead to Porlock Weir

Distance: 16km (10 miles)
Time: 5hrs
Ascent: 610m

Minehead in Somerset marks the start of the South West Coast Path, making it the perfect place to begin a day walk. Like the characters of Raynor and Moth do in the film, you too could take a picture with the iconic SWCP sculpture, designed by Sarah Ward, and then head to Porlock Weir. The route bends slightly inland, and you're treated to beautiful moorland rambling on Exmoor National Park. This first stage of the path is a pleasant introduction to the trail, and not too demanding, making it a great starting point. Alternatively, the Rugged Coast Path offers a challenging but more coastal walk between North Hill and Bossington Hill, boasting incredible views of Porlock Bay. Plus, a tea garden at Bossington offers the perfect spot for a refreshment break mid-walk, where you can enjoy a cream tea like Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs in The Salt Path film.

Sarah Ward’s imaginative sculpture marks the start of the Coast Path on the promenade at Minehead

An impressive storm beach curves around Porlock Bay and the Coast Path moves inland to pass it.

Castle Rock towers above the coast and walkers have to detour a little inland to pass it.

Lynmouth to Combe Martin

Distance: 21.1km (13½ miles)
Time: 6hrs 30mins
Ascent: 1330m

Moving into Devon, the dramatic coastline and steep ascents characteristic of the South West Coast Path create a more challenging day walk from Lynmouth to Combe Martin, including the highest point along the national trail, Great Hangman. This route also passes the popular Valley of Rocks, which, as the name suggests, is renowned for its impressive rock formations as well as its feral goats, which have a cameo of their own in The Salt Path film. Most day walkers would be pleased to conclude their journey in Combe Martin, which offers plenty of amenities, along with transport links back to Lynmouth. However, there is also the option of continuing on to Ilfracombe for an extra challenge.

Westward Ho! to Clovelly

Distance: 18.5km (11½ miles)
Time: 6hrs
Ascent: 980m

Westward Ho! to Clovelly is a fantastic day walk that offers the thrill of the South West Coast Path. The day starts with gentle walking, followed by brief yet steep ascents and descents later on. The highlight of this stretch is Clovelly, a charming village known for its cobbled streets and delightful cottages. Here in The Salt Path film, Moth and Raynor resist the lure of fudge and instead receive leftover Cornish pasties from the generosity of a stranger at Clovelly's Visitor Centre. At the conclusion of this walk, a variety of facilities are available, along with buses to nearby Barnstaple or Bideford.

After passing Peppercombe the Coast Path runs through dense woodland towards Clovelly.

Port Isaac features narrow streets and poky alleyways at the head of a steep-sided inlet.

Port Isaac to Padstow

Distance: 19km (11¾ miles)
Time: 5hrs 30mins
Ascent: 920m

This is the perfect day walk for food enthusiasts! Padstow and nearby Rock are renowned as a gastronomic hub with numerous Michelin-starred restaurants. The walk from Port Isaac (of Doc Martin fame) includes traversing some steep-sided valleys, which are not too challenging, and the route becomes easier around the headlands of Polzeath. This trail features a ferry crossing the River Camel to Padstow, so it's crucial to check that the ferry is operational; otherwise, there’s a lengthy detour around the coast.

Newquay to Perranporth

Distance: 18km (11¼ miles)
Time: 5hrs
Ascent: 580m

If you're seeking a day walk to enhance your holiday in Newquay, the 18km trail to Perranporth presents an excellent choice. At first, the route can be challenging as The Gannal, a tidal inlet, must be navigated. There are three options for crossing to Crantock: a ferry at high tide and two footbridges at low tide. Once past this point, the path becomes straightforward, with relatively easy trails across the headland and sandy beaches leading to Perranporth. Both Newquay and Hollywell, which this day walk traverses, served as filming locations in The Salt Path, with Hollywell representing a Devonshire beach where the characters, Raynor and Moth, get ice cream.

The ‘official’ route of the Coast Path crosses The Gannel by using a footbridge at low tide.

Climbing steadily from Sidmouth before the Coast Path commences a series of ascents and descents.

Budleigh Salterton to Seaton (Challenge route)

Distance: 27.5km (17 miles)
Time: 8hrs 30mins
Ascent: 1160m

At just under 30km, the path from Budleigh Salterton to Seaton is a day walk for the experienced hiker who wishes to challenge themselves, or perhaps a training walk before tackling the entirety of the SWCP. The walk starts easily out of Budleigh Salterton but becomes more challenging with steep ascents and descents, some of which are quite arduous. There is also the option to shorten the route by finishing at Sidmouth, which offers plentiful facilities and transport links back to Budleigh Salterton and the city of Exeter.

Get full route descriptions for these stages and the entirety of the South West Coast Path in the latest edition of Walking the South West Coast Path by Paddy Dillon. As seen in The Salt Path film.