South West Coast Path North Devon

General Information

The South West Coast Path is perhaps the UK’s ultimate challenge for the long-distance hiker - a 630-mile adventure around the coastline of England’s south west peninsula. There’s more than 115,000 ft of ascent and descent on the South West Coast Path. Completing it is equivalent to climbing Snowdon 48 times, Ben Nevis 26 times and Everest 4 times.

Starting at Minehead in Somerset it runs along the coastline of Exmoor, continuing along the coast of North Devon into Cornwall. It follows the entire coastline of Cornwall, goes across the mouth of the River Tamar and continues into Devon. After running along the south coast of Devon it then follows the Dorset coastline before finally ending at Poole Harbour.

As a National Trail, the South West Coast Path is signposted all the way round by the acorn. In addition to this you will find large commemorative markers at key points on the trail such as Minehead (the start), Porthallow (the mid-point) and South Haven Point (the end). All off which offer the perfect excuse for a photo! There are also a number of way markers along the way that will tell you how far from each end of the trail you are. Although most walkers choose to complete the Path in this anti-clockwise direction, from Minehead to Poole, there is no reason why it cannot be walked in the opposite direction.

North Devon, Combe Martin to Marsland - 90 Miles

Most of this section faces out over the Bristol Channel, offering lofty coastal vistas from places like Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, Lee Bay and Morthoe. The golden sands of Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton Sands lie beyond, offering some of the region’s best surfing. From there discover Braunton Burrows, one of the largest sand dune systems in the British Isles, located in the heart of the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and part of the North Devon UNESCO designated Biosphere reserve.

In the centre of the North Devon stretch is the large joint estuary of the Taw and Torridge Rivers, flanked by areas of sand dunes and marshland. The SWCP follows old railway lines around the estuary, crossing the rivers at the towns of Barnstaple and Bideford. The stretch beyond this demonstrates the SWCP’s unique role in linking up coastal communities in places like Appledore, Instow, Bideford, Westward Ho! and the quirky fishing village of Clovelly. The section culminates with one of the great defining headlands on the SWCP, Hartland Point. Here the Path changes from heading east to west, to north to south. It’s character changes with brooding cliffs behind jagged fingers of rock stretching into the Atlantic Ocean.