205miles/
329kms

South West Coast Path

About this route

Over the centuries fishermen, coastguards and smugglers have helped to create this historic path – now Britain’s longest National Trail – stretching over 600 miles/960km in total. Ranging from easy to challenging, the path is comprehensively waymarked; the Devon element of the South West Coast Path runs for 90 miles/144km in the north and 115 miles/185km in the south.

This long-distance walking trail boasts some of the most spectacular landscape, seascape, climate and vegetation to be found anywhere in the UK. To the north, the beautiful bay of Combe Martin, Ilfracombe’s picturesque harbour, the magnificent sweep of Saunton Sands and the dramatic cliff scenery around Hartland Point are all inspiring sights. To the south, the coast has many contrasts – from the city of Plymouth to the delightful estuaries of the South Hams; from the many dramatic headlands to the red cliffs of East Devon.

Getting Around

The South West Coast Path can be accessed at a number of points by bus and or train which will allow you to walk a short length of the route if you prefer. For more advice on the some of the best places to combine a walk with the bus or train, see www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk and the Travel Devon website.

Facilities

Many of the towns and villages along the South West Coast Path have car parking, refreshments and toilet facilities.

Terrain

Ranging from easy to challenging, parts of the trail are very steep and uneven, care must be taken not to get too close to the cliff edges.

Accessibility
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Interesting information

The South West Coast Path has something for everyone. It offers a challenge to the long distance walker and provides immense enjoyment for the many people who wish to spend a day or half-day experiencing this stunning and really special part of Devon.

It has been rated as one of the best walks in the world by Lonely Planet, and voted Britain’s best walking route by the readers of Walk magazine.

Photo along the South Devon coast showing fields, coastal cliffs and sea with the Daymark in the distance

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East Devon Way

This 38 mile/60km path takes you from Exmouth in the west to Lyme Regis, Dorset in the east, and follows

Photo of cyclists on the Tarka Trail alongside the estuary near Instow — 16.4miles/
26kms

Exe Estuary Trail

This newly constructed cycle trail offers an almost entirely traffic-free, wonderfully level route which forms part of the South Coast

Exe Valley Way

The Exe Valley Way is a long-distance route for walkers exploring the length of this beautiful river valley. The trail

Photo of a trail through beech woodland in spring — 18miles/
29kms

Templer Way

The Templer Way is a route for walkers linking Haytor on Dartmoor with the seaport of Teignmouth. It has a

Photo of a trail through woodland — 35miles/
56kms

John Musgrave Heritage Trail

John Musgrave was a keen walker from Torquay who left a legacy to the South Devon Group of the Ramblers

Photo of the Two Moors Way path across moorland with a granite way marker in the foreground — 100miles/
160kms

Two Moors Way (Devon’s Coast to Co..

Running for just over 100 miles/160km between Ivybridge in the south and Lynmouth in the north, this famous path links

Photo showing the north Devon coastal cliffs above the sea at Great Hangman — 5.5miles/
9kms

A Visit to the Hangman

The North Devon Coast is characterised by high cliffs and deep valleys, or combes. Combe Martin, a long, narrow village

Photo of the South Devon coastline with sea and coastal cliffs at Hope Cove — 5miles/
8kms

A walk in Hope

Hope Cove, in the far south of the county, is one of the most attractive settlements on the South West

Photo looking down the river to Lynmouth town — 5miles/
8kms

Devon’s Little Switzerland

This circular walk is based on the scenic little town of Lynmouth, on Devon’s Exmoor coast. A walk of contrasts,

Photo looking along the coast past rocky cliffs to Mortehoe and Woolacombe from Morte Point — 6.25miles/
10kms

North Devon’s deadly coast

Mortehoe is a small hilltop village on Devon’s northernmost coast. Despite its proximity to the holiday resort of Woolacombe, it

Exe Estuary Trail

This newly constructed cycle trail offers an almost entirely traffic-free, wonderfully level route which forms part of the South Coast

Photo of cyclists on the Tarka Trail alongside the estuary at Instow — 32miles/
52kms

The Tarka Trail (Braunton – Meeth)

Stretching for over 52km / 32 miles from Braunton to Barnstaple, then to Instow, Bideford, Great Torrington and on to

Photo of two cyclists on the Tarka Trail near Braunton — 102miles/
163kms

Devon Coast to Coast NCN27

The route combines the beaches and estuaries of North Devon with the lush green valleys of the Torridge, the Tavy,

Photo of cyclists crossing a wooden bridge on the Exe Estuary Trail — 75miles/
120kms