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
Explore more

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
Daymark Beacon, SWCP Copyright Derek Harper, licenced for reuse - geograph.org.uk

You can explore more in this area

  • Long walks
    Photo of a stream through fields on the East Devon Way
    38miles/
    60kms

    East Devon Way

    This 38 mile/60km path takes you from Exmouth in the west to Lyme Regis, Dorset in the east, and follows footpaths,...
    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 NCN...
    Photo of a quiet lane between trees on the Exe Valley Way
    45miles/
    72kms

    Exe Valley Way

    The Exe Valley Way is a long-distance route for walkers exploring the length of this beautiful river valley. The trail stretches...
    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 length...
    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 Association...
    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 the...
  • Short walks
    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 which...
    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 Coast...
    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, its...
    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 retains...
  • Accessible walks
    Photo looking down to the sea from the South West Coast Path at Revelstoke Carriage Way
    1miles/
    1.6kms

    Noss Mayo – Revelstoke Carriage Drive

    A section of the South West Coast Path uses the Revelstoke Carriage Drive along the cliff tops. This gives incomparable views...
    Photo looking along the coast over the sea and red rocks to Parsons tunnel at Dawlish
    2miles/
    3.2kms

    Dawlish to Dawlish Warren

    Part of the South West Coast Path, this path runs between the pretty town of Dawlish and the National Nature Reserve...
    Landscape photo of the South Devon coastal cliffs at Bolberry Down
    1.7miles/
    2.7kms

    Bolberry Down

    Bolberry Down has a network of paths running along high cliff tops with great views and providing a choice of walks...
    Photo of the view along the beach at Budleigh Salterton
    2.5miles/
    4.2kms

    Budleigh to Otterton Mill

    A delightful path along the River Otter which meets with other paths at the lower end of the Otter Estuary, allowing...
    Photo of walkers on the Exe Estuary Trail looking through binoculars
    2miles/
    3.2kms

    Exe Estuary Trail: Exmouth to Lympstone

    Exmouth to Lympstone is just one section of the Exe Estuary Trail, a multi-use route being built by Devon County Council....
    Photo of the shoreline on a pebble beach
    1miles/
    1.6kms

    Northam Burrows Country Park

    The Northern Burrows is a scientifically important area which juts out into the mouth of the estuary. It is a site...
    Photo of Ox-eye daisies on cliffs above the sea at Baggy Point
    2.7miles/
    4.3kms

    Baggy Point

    The SW Coast path out to a viewpoint at Baggy Point has been levelled and compacted to make access easier for...
  • Coastal
    Photo across a dune slack to sand dunes in the background

    Braunton Burrows

    Situated at the entrance to the Taw-Torridge Estuary, Braunton Burrows is among Britain’s most significant sand dune systems and forms the...
    Photo of white grassland flowers

    Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs

    Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs is a magnificent reserve comprising of 304 hectares of coastal landslides and cliffs – one of...
    Photo of the pink flowers of sea lavender

    The Otter Estuary

    The Otter Estuary is a compact and accessible estuary, which supports a particularly well-developed saltmarsh flora that includes such characteristic plants...
    Photo of grassy fields down to coastal cliffs and the sea at Berry Head

    Berry Head, Brixham

    Berry Head offers spectacular views across Torbay. So it is not surprising that it was chosen as a strategic location for...
    Photo of a bar-tailed godwit wading on mud

    Wembury VMCA

    The Wembury Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA) runs for about four miles from Yealm Head to Fort Bovisand, extending out to sea...
    Photo looking down on sea and beach with rocky cliffs behind
    21miles

    North Devon VMCA

    The North Devon Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA) runs for about 21 miles along the coast from Hangman Point in the...
    View across a rocky shore to Wembury beach

    Wembury

    This site spans from Wembury Beach west to Wembury Point. The area has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
  • Wildlife Sites
    Photo across a dune slack to sand dunes in the background

    Braunton Burrows

    Situated at the entrance to the Taw-Torridge Estuary, Braunton Burrows is among Britain’s most significant sand dune systems and forms the...
    Photo of white grassland flowers

    Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs

    Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs is a magnificent reserve comprising of 304 hectares of coastal landslides and cliffs – one of...
    Photo of the pink flowers of sea lavender

    The Otter Estuary

    The Otter Estuary is a compact and accessible estuary, which supports a particularly well-developed saltmarsh flora that includes such characteristic plants...
    Photo of grassy fields down to coastal cliffs and the sea at Berry Head

    Berry Head, Brixham

    Berry Head offers spectacular views across Torbay. So it is not surprising that it was chosen as a strategic location for...
    Photo of a bar-tailed godwit wading on mud

    Wembury VMCA

    The Wembury Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA) runs for about four miles from Yealm Head to Fort Bovisand, extending out to sea...
    Photo looking down on sea and beach with rocky cliffs behind
    21miles

    North Devon VMCA

    The North Devon Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA) runs for about 21 miles along the coast from Hangman Point in the...
    View across a rocky shore to Wembury beach

    Wembury

    This site spans from Wembury Beach west to Wembury Point. The area has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
  • Cycling
    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 NCN...
    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 Meeth....
    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, the...
    Photo of cyclists crossing a wooden bridge on the Exe Estuary Trail
    75miles/
    120kms

    South Coast NCN 2

    This route stretches from St Austell in Cornwall to Dover in Kent and covers 359 miles  / 574 kms in total. 75...
  • Walking
    Photo of a stream through fields on the East Devon Way
    38miles/
    60kms

    East Devon Way

    This 38 mile/60km path takes you from Exmouth in the west to Lyme Regis, Dorset in the east, and follows footpaths,...
    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 which...
    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 NCN...
    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 Coast...
    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, its...
    Photo of a quiet lane between trees on the Exe Valley Way
    45miles/
    72kms

    Exe Valley Way

    The Exe Valley Way is a long-distance route for walkers exploring the length of this beautiful river valley. The trail stretches...
    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 length...
    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 Association...
    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 the...
    Photo of grassy fields down to coastal cliffs and the sea at Berry Head

    Berry Head, Brixham

    Berry Head offers spectacular views across Torbay. So it is not surprising that it was chosen as a strategic location for...
    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 retains...
    Photo looking down to the sea from the South West Coast Path at Revelstoke Carriage Way
    1miles/
    1.6kms

    Noss Mayo – Revelstoke Carriage Drive

    A section of the South West Coast Path uses the Revelstoke Carriage Drive along the cliff tops. This gives incomparable views...
    Photo looking along the coast over the sea and red rocks to Parsons tunnel at Dawlish
    2miles/
    3.2kms

    Dawlish to Dawlish Warren

    Part of the South West Coast Path, this path runs between the pretty town of Dawlish and the National Nature Reserve...
    Landscape photo of the South Devon coastal cliffs at Bolberry Down
    1.7miles/
    2.7kms

    Bolberry Down

    Bolberry Down has a network of paths running along high cliff tops with great views and providing a choice of walks...
    Photo of the view along the beach at Budleigh Salterton
    2.5miles/
    4.2kms

    Budleigh to Otterton Mill

    A delightful path along the River Otter which meets with other paths at the lower end of the Otter Estuary, allowing...
    Photo of walkers on the Exe Estuary Trail looking through binoculars
    2miles/
    3.2kms

    Exe Estuary Trail: Exmouth to Lympstone

    Exmouth to Lympstone is just one section of the Exe Estuary Trail, a multi-use route being built by Devon County Council....
    Photo of the shoreline on a pebble beach
    1miles/
    1.6kms

    Northam Burrows Country Park

    The Northern Burrows is a scientifically important area which juts out into the mouth of the estuary. It is a site...
    Photo of Ox-eye daisies on cliffs above the sea at Baggy Point
    2.7miles/
    4.3kms

    Baggy Point

    The SW Coast path out to a viewpoint at Baggy Point has been levelled and compacted to make access easier for...
  • Landscape
    Photo of grassy fields down to coastal cliffs and the sea at Berry Head

    Berry Head, Brixham

    Berry Head offers spectacular views across Torbay. So it is not surprising that it was chosen as a strategic location for...
    Photo of red cliffs and pebble bed layer above Budleigh Salterton Beach

    Budleigh Salterton Cliffs and the Otter ..

    The cliffs in the western part of Budleigh Salterton expose the full thickness of the Lower Triassic Budleigh Salterton Pebble Beds....
    View across a rocky shore to Wembury beach

    Wembury

    This site spans from Wembury Beach west to Wembury Point. The area has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
  • Geology
    Photo of coastal cliffs with chalk cliffs in the background

    Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs

    This magnificent 304 hectare nature reserve, managed by Natural England, offers dramatic coastal scenery and is of international importance for its...
    Photo of red cliffs and pebble bed layer above Budleigh Salterton Beach

    Budleigh Salterton Cliffs and the Otter ..

    The cliffs in the western part of Budleigh Salterton expose the full thickness of the Lower Triassic Budleigh Salterton Pebble Beds....
    View across a rocky shore to Wembury beach

    Wembury

    This site spans from Wembury Beach west to Wembury Point. The area has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
  • Heritage
    Photo of grassy fields down to coastal cliffs and the sea at Berry Head

    Berry Head, Brixham

    Berry Head offers spectacular views across Torbay. So it is not surprising that it was chosen as a strategic location for...
  • Places to visit
    Photo of grassy fields down to coastal cliffs and the sea at Berry Head

    Berry Head, Brixham

    Berry Head offers spectacular views across Torbay. So it is not surprising that it was chosen as a strategic location for...
    Photo of coastal cliffs with chalk cliffs in the background

    Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs

    This magnificent 304 hectare nature reserve, managed by Natural England, offers dramatic coastal scenery and is of international importance for its...
    Photo of red cliffs and pebble bed layer above Budleigh Salterton Beach

    Budleigh Salterton Cliffs and the Otter ..

    The cliffs in the western part of Budleigh Salterton expose the full thickness of the Lower Triassic Budleigh Salterton Pebble Beds....
    View across a rocky shore to Wembury beach

    Wembury

    This site spans from Wembury Beach west to Wembury Point. The area has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
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