The South West Coast Path. Paddy Dillon

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 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

      ROUTE SUMMARY TABLE

      Splendid and rugged scenery unfolds along the Coast Path day after day. This is Kynance Cove (Stage 22) with the Lizard on the horizon

INTRODUCTION

      A rocky coastline and contorted cliffs are seen from the Hartland Quay Hotel (Stage 8)

      The South West Coast Path is the longest of Britain’s National Trails, measuring a staggering 1014km (630 miles). It 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. The route starts in Minehead on the Somerset coast and quickly moves along the North Devon coast. After completely encircling the coast of Cornwall, it runs along the South Devon coast. A final stretch along the Dorset coast leads to a conclusion at South Haven Point on Poole Harbour. No other stretch of British coastline compares for scenic splendour, interest, history, heritage, accessibility and provision of facilities all rolled into one.

      A fit and dedicated long-distance walker would take a month to walk the South West Coast Path. The current record, set by Damian Hall in May 2016, stands at 10 days 15 hours 18 minutes. Others are happy to enjoy the experience, savour the delights of the trail, and take two months or more to cover the distance. Hardy backpackers happily carry a tent, sleeping bag and cooking equipment, while others prefer to mix youth hostels with B&B accommodation. Some walkers prefer a luxurious approach, staying in splendid hotels while sampling local seafood menus. The South West Coast Path appeals to all types, but remember that many facilities are only open through the summer season.

      Cosy fishing harbours abound, but many locals now work in tourism instead

      Individual approaches vary. Some walkers crave to cover the whole trail in a single expedition, while