Walking the South West Coast Path

Experience the beauty of the South West Coast Path, a 1022km (635-mile) National Trail from Minehead to South Haven Point, offering unmatched coastal scenery. Stretching across Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, including the Exmoor National Park and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, this epic long-distance walking trail can be completed in roughly four weeks or tackled in sections.

This guidebook transforms planning into a straightforward process, with 45 clearly defined stages between 12 and 38km (7.5–24 miles) and expert guidance on every aspect of the route. An optional diversion onto the 17-mile South Dorset Ridgeway from West Bexington to Osmington Mills provides a scenic shortcut, shaving 42 miles off the full distance for those short on time.

• For every stage, the guidebook provides detailed route descriptions, 1:50,000 OS mapping and elevation profiles so you're aware of what the coastal path has in store next
• Practical essentials are woven throughout, with comprehensive accommodation listings covering B&Bs, campsites, and hostels in towns and villages along the route, like St Ives, Falmouth, Plymouth, and Lyme Regis
• Public transport options are clearly presented to allow you to break each stage into manageable chunks, ideal for section hikers to plan their journey
• You'll find expert advice on baggage transfer services, when to go (spring and autumn are ideal) and what to pack, as well as considerations specific to coastal walking, such as tide awareness and rescue services
• Downloadable GPX files offer a digital alternative for navigating along the coast, suitable for use on your smartphone or GPS devices

Whether you are walking the entire path or exploring it in sections, this guidebook offers all the tools you need to plan your walking holiday with confidence. Immerse yourself in the freedom and beauty of England’s southwest coast, where every stage brings breathtaking views, historic sites, and unforgettable walking experiences.

Three separate OS map booklets covering Minehead-St Ives, St Ives-Plymouth and Plymouth-Poole are also available to purchase, creating the ultimate navigation package for this world-class coastal trail.

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

Map key

Route summary table

Stage facilities planner

Introduction

Planning your trip

Itineraries

When to go

Travel to the South West

Travel around the South West

Accommodation en route

Facilities en route

What to take

Tourist information centres

Baggage transfer services

Planning day by day

Using this guide

Maps and GPS

Time and tide

Waymarking and paths

Rescue services

Safety on the Coast Path

Top tips for walking near livestock

All about the region

Geography

Geology

Plants and wildlife

Culture

Coastal walking through history

A protected coastline

Looking after the Coast Path

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 Topographical glossary