Walking South West Coast Path Walking South West Coast Path Walking South West Coast Path Walking South West Coast Path Walking South West Coast Path

South West Coastal Path 966km / 600 miles part of the Walking on the Web guide to walking in England

All or part of this walking route forms part of European Walking Route

Start Minehead, Somerset SS972467 Finish South Haven Point, Dorset SZ036866

Map Ordnance Survey Explorer 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108,109,110, 111, 115, 116, 126, 139, OL9, OL15 and OL20

Information by Region

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It starts in Minehead in Somerset and follows the coast-ish west until it can't go any further then turns and goes east to South Haven Point in Dorset. The tip is the sea is always on your right hand side. This is the longest of the National Trails.

Depending upon when you do the walk and how you plan it the route is designed to ultilise many of the ferries that cross the many estuaries that will be encountered by the intrepid walker. If you don't use these then the walking distance will be increased substantially.

Check the weather when walking along the coast

Legend		Grading
	Serviced accommodation		gradual ascents or descents along well defined paths or tracks. Suitable for novice walkers
	Unserviced accommodation		considerable ascents and descents over moderate fell type terrain
	Camp site		strenuous sometimes exposed routes requiring map reading and navigational skills
	Bus route
	Shop for provisions
	Cafe / Restaurant
	Public House
	Mueseum or building of historic interest, Castle
	First Aid / Pharmacy
	Train
	Airport

 

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Depart Minehead Arrive Porlock Weir Total time 3.5 hrs Distance 14km / 9 miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes   Map Ordnance Survey Explorer OL9 Exmoor

East of the harbour along the sea wall and close to the Red Lion pub the South West Coastal Path begins with a footpath sign for North Hill and the first acorn of the walk. The route goes between some old cottages before starting a zig zag ascent through woods towards North Hill.

Greenaleigh Farm North Hill Reservoir Selworthy Beacon Bossington Hill Bossington Bossington Beach

Depart Porlock Weir Arrive Lynmouth Total time 4 hrs Distance 18km / 11 miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes Tarka Trail Two Moors Way Map Ordnance Survey Explorer OL9 Exmoor

Worthy Culbone Silcombe Farm Holmer Combe Broomstreet Farm Wheatham Combe Yenworthy Wood Sugarloaf Hill Yenworthy Combe The Combe Glenthorne Plantation Desolation Point Kipscombe Combe The Foreland Great Red Butter Hill

Depart Lynmouth Arrive Combe Martin Total time 4.5 hrs Distance 21km / 13 miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes Tarka Trail Two Moors Way Map Ordnance Survey Explorer OL9 Exmoor

Valley of Rocks Lee Bay Woody Bay The Beacon Roman Fortlet Heddon's Mouth Holdstone Down

Depart Combe Martin Arrive Woolacombe Total time 4 hrs Distance 19km / 12 miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes   Map Ordnance Survey Explorer OL9 Exmoor

Depart Woolacombe Arrive Braunton Total time 5 hrs Distance 23km / 14 miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes   Map Ordnance Survey Explorer 139 Bideford, Ilfracoombe & Barnstaple

Depart Braunton Arrive Westwood Ho! Total time 5 hrs Distance 23km / 14 miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes   Map Ordnance Survey Explorer 139 Bideford, Ilfracoombe & Barnstaple

Padstow May Day Hobby Horse Festival

Camel Trail

Depart Hayle Arrive St Ives Total time 2.25 hrs Distance 11km / 7 miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes St Michael's Way Map Ordnance Survey Explorer 102 Land's End

Depart St Ives Arrive Pendeen Watch Total time 4.5 hrs Distance 21km / 13miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes St Michael's Way Map Ordnance Survey Explorer 102 Land's End

Depart Pendeen Watch Arrive Porthcurno Total time 5 hrs Distance 24km / 15miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes   Map Ordnance Survey Explorer 102 Land's End

Depart Porthcurno Arrive Penzance Total time 3.25 hrs Distance 16km / 10 miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes   Map Ordnance Survey Explorer 102 Land's End

Depart Penzance Arrive Porthleven Total time 4.25 hrs Distance 21km / 13 miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes   Map Ordnance Survey Explorer 102 Land's End

Depart Porthleven Arrive Lizard Total time 4.25 hrs Distance 22km / 13 miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes   Map Ordnance Survey Explorer 102 Land's End and 103 The Lizard

Depart Lizard Arrive Porthallow Total time 5 hrs Distance 23km / 14 miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes   Map Ordnance Survey Explorer 103 The Lizard

Depart Porthallow Arrive Falmouth Total time 5 hrs Distance 25km / 15 miles Altitude change Descent m Ascent m Difficulty Intersecting Routes   Map Ordnance Survey Explorer 103 The Lizard

The ferry across the River Helford from Helford itself

If you're intending to go on to Poole at the end of the walk you'll probably want to use the Sandbanks Chain Ferry over to Sandbanks

Further information

Both Laidback Trailblazers and Lightfoot Walking Holidays provide walking holidays on the South West Coast Path

 

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