Experience the beauty of Britain’s longest National Trail, the South West Coast Path, a 1022km (635-mile) route 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.

Author Highlight

“This is not just a long walk, but an astounding and varied experience. This remarkable coastal trail is based on the paths trodden around cliffs and coves by generations of coastguards. No other stretch of British coastline compares for scenic splendour, interest, history, heritage, accessibility and provision of facilities all rolled into one.”

- Paddy Dillon, author of Walking the South West Coast Path

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 

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

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