Immortalised in Raynor Winn’s The Salt Path, the South West Coast Path is one of the UK’s longest, most famous and popular long-distance walking trails.
Some of the UK’s most beautiful beaches, prettiest coastal villages, historical landmarks and prehistorical hot spots are all here. But it’s often the quieter, less travelled sections – the hidden coves, weathered fishing villages, atmospheric inns and exposed headlands – that prove the most rewarding and enchanting. And that’s before we’ve mentioned the regular intakes of Cornish pasties and cream teas that it’s mandatory to sample.
- Toughest long-distance walking trails in the UK: Challenge yourself with one of these bucket-list routes
- Beautiful UK beaches to visit right now
- Fantastic National Trust walks in Cornwall – and they're all under 7 miles
For those of us who struggle with a compass, it’s also near-impossible to get lost. Just keep the coast on your right (or left if you’re starting in Poole) and carry on walking. It’s a consistently hilly experience, however, particularly in the early stages around Exmoor and the closing passages on the Jurassic Coast. At 35,000 metres, the total height climbed is almost four times the height of Mount Everest.
Where does the route start and end?
The South West Coast Path starts in Minehead, Somerset, and ends in Poole, Dorset.
How long is the South West Coast Path?
The South West Coast Path is 630 miles (1,013km) long.
How long does it take to walk the South West Coast Path?
On average the South West Coast Path takes 7-8 weeks to complete. The current record is just over 10 days, but we have a friend who has taken seventeen years and still hasn’t finished his last remaining sections.
What's the best way to walk the South West Coast Path?
The South West Coast Path is usually walked in an anti-clockwise direction, starting from Minehead, meaning you’ll have the westerly winds behind you on the route from Land’s End to Dorset. The coastal nature does make the coast exposed to winds and rain throughout, and sections along the Jurassic Coast especially are liable to get muddy.
What's the elevation gain?
The elevation gain on the South West Coast Path is 35,000m. The elevation gain per mile is 56m.
What's the highest point of the South West Coast Path?
The highest point of the South West Coast Path Highest is 318m, at Great Hangman, Exmoor.
What are the most beautiful sections of the South West Coast Path?
Blockbuster stretches include the Porthcurno and the Minack Theatre combo in south-western Cornwall, King Arthur’s Tintagel Castle on the northern Cornish coast and Durdle Door on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. St Ives, Falmouth and Penzance are all arty and maritime history-filled towns, while Slapton Sands and the abandoned village of Tyneham in Dorset reveal history of a bleaker kind.
Our own personal, often quieter highlights include the tin mines at Botallack (used as a filming location for BBC One's Poldark), the cliffs at Countisbury Cove, the section near Noss Mayo in south Devon, Hartland Quay near Bude and Croyde to Putsborough in North Devon. There’s also Cornwall’s Roseland and Lizard peninsulas and Exmoor for remote coastal hiking.
What are the toughest sections of the South West Coast Path?
Hartland Quay to Bude is considered as one of the most difficult sections, as there are steep ascents and descents and the path is quite exposed. West Penwith (the area around St Ives, Zennor and Pendeen) is also tough, as the land can quickly become boggy after rainfall, and there are rocks and boulders to clamber up, down and around.
Can you camp on the South West Coast Path?
You can't camp on land near the South West Coast Path without prior consent from the landowner. Luckily, when it comes to places to stay, you’re spoilt throughout – but book in advance during the peak summer months. St Ives, Falmouth, Bude, Penzance, Exmoor, Dartmouth and Weymouth all have multiple accommodation types and options but, again, can get very busy in the summer holidays.
The smaller gems of Lynmouth, Croyde, Boscastle, Mousehole, Mevagissey, Noss Mayo, Shaldon, Lyme Regis and Lulworth Cove also get busy in peak season.
What activities can you do along the South West Coast Path?
Being so close to the coastline throughout offers an abundance of outdoor activities to experience. Take your pick from surfing (Woolacombe, Saunton and Newquay are beginner hot spots), coasteering in Croyde, kayaking, diving, SUPing, open-water swimming, trail running and, well, just walking at your own pace with nothing but coastal views before you and a Cornish pasty in hand.
- What muscles does surfing work? How this fun workout strengthens more than just your core
- Benefits of kayaking: how paddling can help your physical and mental health
- What muscles does paddleboarding work? Why this slower-paced sport is a surprising full-body workout
When is the best time of year to walk the South West Coast Path?
Many towns can get very busy in peak season, but experience the coast path from April to June, September and October, and you’ll have tranquillity and, hopefully, some warm sunshine on your back.
How remote is the South West Coast Path?
There are some remote sections in Exmoor, Hartland and the Lizard, but the coast is littered with villages.
What's the terrain like on the South West Coast Path?
Coastal paths, sand, gravel tracks, tarmac. The South West Coast Path is also very steep in places.
What's the weather usually like?
In May, the average high temperature is 14.5°C and the average low temperature is 8.8°C (both taken in Penzance). In May, average rainfall is 10mm on 9.77 days (taken in Penzance).
Discover more walking inspiration
- Best walks in Dorset
- Divine spring walks: the best UK trails to enjoy right now
- Best summer walks in Britain
- Best walks in Exmoor National Park
Main image: Kynance Cove in Cornwall/Getty
