South West Coast Path - Charmouth to West Bay

A challenging 8 mile hike along the South West Coast Path between Charmouth and West Bay

At only 8 miles, do not underestimate this walk. It is an arduous hike over the hills and across the valleys of coastal Dorest. The highlight is the peak of Golden Cap, which at 191m is the highest point on the English South Coast. The golden greensand rock that crowns the cliff top is what gives this peak its name.

This walk was due to start at Lyme Regis but a cliff fall had taken a section of the coast path and the only method to walk between the town and Charmouth was to use the main coast road which is certainly not conducive to most ramblers. The path has subsequently been reinstated with a route that cuts across timber Hill and minimizes the use of the road.

From Charmouth the route takes a country lane known as Stonebarrow Lane which quite naturally leads up Stonebarrow Hill with a slow and steady climb. At its 148m summit, the path heads to the cliff side then follows the cliff top paths. The going now gets tougher as the path descends to the valley where Westhay Water cascades down, launching itself off the cliffs below and onto the shingle beach. There is a short climb across the following ridge and back down to Ridge Water and another cascading stream that terminates itself in a similar manner. All the time Golden Cap is looming in the distance, beckoning with its challenge. Drawing the walker onwards, but first, another valley needs to be crossed first, Gabriels Mouth. The name is probably derived from a forgotten village known as Stanton St Gabriel which used to lie up the valley. The ruins of the church still exist but other than a farmhouse the village is lost in the landscape.

The ascent of Golden Cap now begins from the bottom of the valley at 40m. After the initial climb out of the valley the path flattens out a little before the major climb up the zigzagging path to the summit. A total climb of 151m. A lot of effort but oh so worth it. At the top the views are outstanding, behind one can view the panorama all around Lyme Bay and beyond. Ahead the coast tapers down to Chesil Beach and on the horizon Portland can be seen.

There is a steady descent from Golden Cap down to the hamlet of Seatown where the Anchor Inn pub is perched above the beach. Benches parade the broad grassy garden overlooking the beach and offers the ideal opportunity to celebrate ones efforts thus far. Palmers ales are on offer and a real thirst quencher. On this occasion the temperatures were an unusually balmy hot summers day with clear blue skies and a summer sun blazing with all its fury.

From Seatown the path climbs up to Ridge Cliff then continues over Doghouse Hill and Thorncombe Beacon before descending down to Eype Mouth. A stream trickles below a wooden footbridge then disappears into the shingle beach. Boats lie upturned in the shelter of the grassy banks of the valley.

There is a final hurdle over West Cliff into West Bay. One may expect another little village nestled in the valley but West Bay has grown over the years and is full of modern conurbations and chips stalls that surround the little harbour. All a little brash after the rural settings encountered on route. The river Brit flows out through the harbour. Originally known as the River Wooth, it had a name change with the establishment of Bridport.

One can continue onwards to Burton Bradstock but for this day, with the draining heat and the arduous climbs the walk was terminated at West Bay and legs were rested at The George Hotel where more of the delicious Palmers Ales were consumed with a spot of lunch.

At the time of walking this route there was a bus service all the way through from West Bay to Salcombe Regis where we had set up base camp. This no longer appears to be the case although there are buses that link West Bay with Charmouth. On this occasion it seemed a good choice to return to Charmouth to explore a little more.

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South West Coast Path - Porthcothan to Padstow

An 13.5 mile walk along the South West Coast Path between Porthcothan and Padstow

A moderate walk by South West Coastpath standards and even with a misty morning it is nonetheless spectacular. The walk includes Harlyn Bay and Mother Iveys Cottage, which is the source of a local legend of a cursed field. The end is at the bustling port of Padstow where there is plenty of opportunity for rewarding refreshments.

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South West Coast Path - West Bay to Abbotsbury

A 9 mile walk along the South West Coast Path between West Bay and Abbotsbury

One of the easier sections of the South West Coast Path as the cliffs taper down to present the start of Chesil Beach, a vast shingle bank that stretches from Abbotsbury through to Portland.

The climb out of West Bay is a steep ascent up to 45m and the summit of East Cliff. This is the only real challenge on this walk. The cliffs become notably smaller and the going becomes easier. At Buron Bradstock the path descends back down to beach level and follows the perimeter of a holiday park along the side of the River Bride to a bridge although the water looks shallow and placid enough to wade across as the river twists around the shingle and exudes across the beach.

By the time one gets to Codgen Beach there are no cliffs, just the beach that merges into the grassy landscape with an undulating hillscape beyond. Ahead Portland clearly shows itself. The path leads across the head of the beach and at times it is difficult going underfoot. It is a relief to head on the grassy paths that lead behind Burton Mere but it eventually leads back onto the shingle beach.

Beyond Bexington the path improves and continues through to where it heads inland to Abbotsbury, circling around the base of Chapel Hill, where St Catherines Chapel sits ominously on its summit. At this point the coast path doubles back on itself to continue on to Langton Herring. On this instance of the walk, with having to travel from Salcombe Regis using public transport, it left little time for walking. This is the furthest distance that was used from tht specific campsite, reloating to Langton Herring the next day. In retrospect it would have been more convienient to have undertaken this walk from the Langton Herring campsite.

The bus stop in Abbotsbury is outside the Illchester Arms, a 17th century former coaching inn that is well worth paying a visit, the interior welcoming and cosy with its oak beamed ceilings. The pub is said to be haunted and there are numerous ghostly tales associated with the inn including the sounds of coins jangling by a ghostly coin collector, a spectre of a woman who haunts the toilets and the apparition of a Royalist Soldier from the civil war who was reputedly hanged here when caught by Parliamentarians.

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South West Coast Path - Newquay to Porthcothan

An 10.5 mile walk along the South West Coast Path between Newquay and Porthcothan

This section of the South West Coast Path provides typical picture postcard images of Cornwall in its full glory over a terrain that is not too demanding for the average walker. With stories of Mermaids and Giants there is plenty of folklore and history to read up about. An outstanding section without a doubt.

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South West Coast Path - Hayle to St Ives

An easy and delightful 6 mile walk along the South West Coast Path between Hayle and St Ives

This is one of the easier sections of the South West Coast Path that keeps within easy reach of civilisation and follows the St Ives branch line along this idyllic coastline. A few climbs but nothing too strenuous. Excellent views across the sandy beaches up to Godrevy Point. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon stroll.

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South West Coast Path - Plymouth to Yealm Estuary

A walk along the South West Coast Path between Plymouth and the Yealm estuary with an extension along the Erme Plym Trail to get around the River Yealm estuary

Plymouth is not a place to find a country walk, in fact the South West coast Path leads you around some of the more industrial areas of the docks and along the busy road across Laira Bridge. From this point there is a more pleasant alternative route using the West Devon Path which traces the trackbed of a former railway to Hooe Lake. An easy walk around Clovelly Bay and Mount Batten Point finally brings the path onto the cliffs along the coast. The going through to Wembury is not too strenuous and it is worth taking time out at Heybrooke Bay to search out the Eddystone Inn from where you can see the lighthouse of the same name on the horizon. From Wembury the Erme Plym Trail leads back to the main road in order to get around the Avon Estuary.

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South West Coast Path - Swanage to South Haven Point

An moderately easy walk to the end of the South West Coast Path at South Haven Point

Old Harry Rocks is the highlight of this walk, and the ascent to Handfast Point, off of which the rocks are located, is the only real effort that has to be expended during the duration of this walk.The rest of the walk is easy all the way through to the end of the South West Coast Path at South Haven Point.

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Hele Bay to Berrynarbor Circular Walk

A 7 mile walk around coastal North Devon from Hele Bay to Berrynarbor

This walk takes inland footpaths and tracks to navigate from the village of Hele Bay through to Berrynarbor, which, with its whitewashed stone walls takes on the guise of a Mediterranean village. The village plays host to numerous flower pot men in comical poses which makes an intriguing spectacle as one wanders through the streets. Return is along the South West Coast Path

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Hele Bay and Hillsborough

A short but strenuous walk across Hillsborough Hill that separates Ilfracombe and Hele Bay.

Hillsborough is a promontory that sits between the towns of Ilfracombe and Hele Bay to the east. With a height of some 114m, this made an ideal location for an iron age for around 2500 years ago although there is nothing obvious other than information boards to point this out to the untrained eye. There are numerous paths around the hill and this walk roughly follows the South West Coast Path route although veers off to explore Raperee Cove, and to follow the path past the location of the fort.

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South West Coast Path - Land's End to Sennen Cove

A very easy 1.6 mile walk between Lands End and Sennen Cove on the South West Coast Path

This is an easy walk along this magnificent coast line. A bus service links the two ends or it can be completed as a circular walk returning along the Cornish Way cycle track which runs parallel to the Coast Path . Looking out towards the9this is included in the Viewranger navigation) west and the Scilly Isles one may catch a glimpse of a spire or a dome or hear the muffled toll of bells from the fabled land of Arthurian legend that is known as Lyonesse and which disappeared beneath the waves.

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South West Coast Path - Salcombe to Torcross

A 12.5 mile walk along the South West Coast Path between Salcombe and Torcross

This walk begins with taking the ferry across the estuary from Salcombe to Portlemouth. The going at times is strenuous, navigating along the craggy cliff face through to Prawle Point, the most southerly point in Devon. Beyond there are some low lying pastures that is a real pleasure to wander through. The final stage negotiates the craggy cliff around Start Point before slowly descending the cliffs along Start Bay, passing the hamlets of Hallsands and Beesands and finally arriving at Torcross beach.

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South West Coastpath - Par to Looe

A challenging 20 mile walk along the South West Coast Path between Par and Looe.

Some describe this as the most scenic of the south coast section of the Cornish South West Coast Path. There are the charming villages of Polkerris, Fowey, Polruan and Polprerro and the cliff-top path offers fantastic views along the Cornish coastline. Although the going is fairly strenuous around East Coombe, on the whole the path does not offer too much of a challenge other than in the sheer distance. Shorter walks can be planned using the bus services that connect Polruan and Polperro to Looe.

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South West Coast Path - Rock To Polzeath

Short walk from Rock ferry to Polzeath along the Camel Estuary

A short section of the South West Coast Path that can be undertaken either as part of a more extensive hike or merely as a return ramble from Polzeath and across to Padstow. Fairly easy by SWCP standards and stunning scenery as is always the case with this Cornish coastline, and whilst taking all of this in one can contemplate the legendary Doom Bar that sits in the waters of the estuary.

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Ilfracombe to Lee Bay circular Walk

Circular route from Ilfracombe along the old railway track to Lee Bay, returning along the South West Coast Path

The route follows the old track bed of the former Ilfracombe to Barnstaple section of the Southern Railway. These days it is a paved cycle way that twists through the hills past the Slade Reservoirs. There is some country lane and footpath walking to reach Lee Bay on the coast, this includes a steep descent through woodland to the village of Lee where the Grampus Pub is an ideal place for refreshment. ` Return is along the SWCP, and then taking Langleigh Lane back into town.

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South West Coast Path - Looe to Plymouth

A 20.6 mile walk along the South West Coast Path between Looe and Plymouth.

This is the first section of the South Cornwall part of the South West Coast Path. There is a link between the two ends of the walk using the railways, changing at Liskeard. The walk is fairly easy in comparison with some sections of the South West Coast Path though it does have a few strenuous climbs. This particular walk misses out Rame Head in order to keep the distance down and allow connection of trains on the limited Sunday service.

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South West Coast Path - Avon Estuary to Salcombe

A 17 mile walk along the South West Coast Path between Churchstow and Salcombe.

This walk heads out from Churchstow through country lanes down to the South West Coast Path at Bantham on the Avon estuary. The Coast Path starts with easy walking along the low cliffs past Thurlestone and includes an 80 yard footbridge across South Milton Ley before it arrives at Hope Cove, a picturesque little fishing village. The section from Bolt Tail to Bolt Head is a little more strenuous with the path tracking up and down the cliffs and around a few craggy sections with steps built out of the stone. At Bolt Head the coast bears round to the north passing Sharp Tor which is cut out of the cliff-face, before it heads down into the pretty village of Salcombe.

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South West Coast Path - Sennen Cove to Pendeen

A rewarding 9 mile walk along the South West Coast Path between Sennen Cove and Pendeen

This is a spectacular section of the South West Coast Path following the rugged cliffs on the western edge of Cornwall. There are a few challenges with the craggy terrain through to Cape Cornwall but the scenery is well worth the effort. The last stage is littered with the remnants of old mine workings that nestle into the cliff sides. These crumbling deserted edifices to old industry now sit aesthetically with their surroundings and at one with nature.

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Heddon Valley Circular Walk

An amazing walk full of spectacular views along this rugged part of the North Devon coast

An amazing walk that heads down the Heddon Valley to follow the South West Coast Path through to Woody Bay. Return is along the track at the top of the cliffs. Amazing views and outstanding scenery. There is the option of going down to Heddon Mouth where the Heddon river meets the sea.<br><br>Refreshments can be found at the Hunters Inn which marks the start and end of this walk

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Hele Bay to Braunton Walk Summary

Extensive Walk along the SWCP between Hele Bay near Ilfracombe and Braunton

This route provides an alternative to the official SWCP whereby it short cuts the headland at Baggy Point and goes directly into Braunton omitting the section around Braunton Burrows. This achieves a sub 20 mile walk with bus access between Braunton and Ilfracombe. The cliffpath from Hele Bay to Woolacombe provides spectacular views and challenging walking whilst the sands of Woolacombe and Croyde make an easier terrain to navigate across.

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Baggy Point Circular Walk

Short walk round the headland known as Baggy Point

A short circular walk starting and ending at Croyde. This route uses the South West Coast Path to navigate around Baggy Point, the headland just north of the village of Croyde. Return is across the headland using footpaths and tracks.

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