South West Coast Path

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The South West Coast Path passes along the cliffs (seen in the distance) at Ilfracombe, North Devon. The highest point in this view is Hillsborough (447 feet, 136 metres). Part of Ilfracombe is seen on the right.
The South West Coast Path passes along the cliffs (seen in the distance) at Ilfracombe, North Devon. The highest point in this view is Hillsborough (447 feet, 136 metres). Part of Ilfracombe is seen on the right.
The Rumps, on Pentire Point, North Cornwall, site of Iron Age cliff fortifications.
The Rumps, on Pentire Point, North Cornwall, site of Iron Age cliff fortifications.

At 630 miles (1014 km) long, the South West Coast Path is Britain's longest national trail, running from Minehead in Somerset, along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, to Poole in Dorset. Since it rises and falls with every river mouth, it is also one of the more challenging trails.

The path has been a complete National Trail since 1978.

Contents

The path originated as a route for the Coast guard to walk from lighthouse to lighthouse patrolling for smugglers. As a result, the path closely hugs the coast providing excellent views but rarely the most direct path between two points. Britain has unique right-of-way laws that keep historic foot paths open to the public even when they pass through private property. The South West Coast Path is no longer used by the Coast guard but it has been transformed from a practical defence system into a resource for recreation walkers. Sections of the path are maintained by the National Trust.

Many of the landscapes which the South West Coast Path crosses have special status, either as a National Park or one of the Heritage Coasts:

In order from Minehead to Poole Harbour

From Bude to Land's End

In order from Minehead to Poole Harbour

A route covering such a wide area inevitably intersects with other, more local, routes.

Between Ilfracombe and Bideford, the path mostly follows a coastal section of the Tarka Trail. For part of this route, the paths follow the course of disused railway lines: the Ilfracombe Branch Line, between Braunton and Barnstaple, and the Bideford Branch Line, between Barnstaple and Bideford.

Using public transport for at least part of their journey means that walkers can plan walks which start and finish at different places, rather than have to circle back to their start point to collect their cars.

More than twenty railway stations give options for both short walks — such as Dawlish to Paignton — or for longer walks over several days.

Most towns and villages along the South West Coast Path have bus services, although some of these may not be very frequent.

Long distance bus services connect some coastal towns with railway stations:

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