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South West Coast Path in Devon

• Brambles Guide to Walking in Devon

• Walking Index

Over the centuries fishermen, coastguards and smugglers have helped to create this historic path - now Britain's longest National Trail - stretching over 600 miles. Ranging from easy to challenging, the path is comprehensively waymarked; the Devon element of the South West Coast Path runs for 90 miles in the north and 115 miles in the south, and 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, the South West Coast Path has something for everyone. Not only does it offer a challenge to the long distance walker, it also 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. The trail can be accessed by bus and/or train routes to allow for short lengths to be walked. The route passes through: Lynmouth; Lynton; Ilfracombe; Barnstaple; Bideford; South Devon; Plymouth; Salcombe; Dartmouth; Brixham; Paignton; Torquay; Teignmouth; Dawlish; Exmouth; Sidmouth; Seaton The route links with the following trails: Tarka Trail; Macmillan Way West; West Devon Way; Two Moors Way; Erme-Plym Trail, Dart Valley Trail; Templer Way; Exe Valley Way and East Devon Way.

South West Coast Path (Dart Estuary - Exe Estuary)
38 miles Difficulty: Easy/Moderate End points: Kingswear (Grid Ref SX877514) Starcross (Grid Ref SX975818)

The Coast Path between the Dart and Brixham is surprisingly strenuous and remote. North of Brixham is the more gentle landscape of Tor Bay, the English Riviera, with its golden sands, tourist facilities, formal gardens and "riviera" architecture. Further north are the coastal towns of Teignmouth and Dawlish, marked by their red cliffs; the Coast Path between Torquay and Teignmouth is an unexpectedly strenuous walk. At the mouth of the Exe, mudflats and dunes form an important wildlife habitat. Mileage between towns on route: Kingswear - Brixham; 11 miles Brixham - Torquay; 8 miles Torquay - Shaldon; 11miles Teignmouth - Starcross (Exe Estuary); 8 miles

South West Coast Path (Exmoor - Barnstaple)
Distance: 48 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Hard End points: Exmoor (Grid Ref SS725404 ) Barnstaple (Grid Ref SS665308 )

This is a coastline of great variety. In the east, the Exmoor coast features some of the highest cliffs in England, punctuated by spectacular wooded "combes". Further west, the coast is characterised by a series of rocky headlands separated by small coves and sweeping sandy bays. This whole length is notable for its superb views. Between Saunton and Barnstaple the path is low level, crossing sand dunes, passing quiet marshlands and following the estuary of the River Taw. A former railway makes the estuary-side path easy going for all the family. Mileages between towns on route: Porlock (Somerset) - Lynmouth; 12 miles Lynmouth - Combe Martin; 13 miles Combe Martin - Ilfracombe; 5 miles Ilfracombe - Woolacombe; 7 miles Woolacombe - Croyde Bay; 6 miles Croyde Bay - Braunton; 8 miles Braunton - Barnstaple; 6 miles

South West Coast Path (Exe Estuary - Dorset border)
Distance: 30 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Hard End points: Exmouth (Grid Ref SY005809 ) Lyme Regis (Grid Ref SY339920)

In the west, Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton offer facilities and easy walking over low cliffs. East of Budleigh, the red cliffs rise and fall dramatically, taking the Coast Path with them, and facilities are further between. At the fishing village of Beer the cliffs are white, this being the most westerly chalk outcrop in England. The length in the east between Seaton and Lyme Regis, on the Dorset border, passes through an enormous landslip, the path meandering through some of the mosy undisturbed habitat in the country. Mileage between towns on route: Exmouth - Budleigh Salterton; 6 miles Budleigh Salterton - Sidmouth; 7 miles Sidmouth - Seaton; 10 miles Seaton - Lyme Regis; 7 miles.

South West Coast Path (Plymouth - Dart Estuary) 
Distance: 65 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Hard End points: Plymouth (Grid Ref SX452550 ) Dart Estuary (Grid Ref SX877514)

Beyond the historic sights of maritime Plymouth, this length of coast is cut by the three beautiful wooded estuaries of the Yealm, Erme and Avon rivers. Between them, the Coast Path rises to airy cliff tops with wide views. Some stretches can be surprisingly remote. To the east the landmark of Start point lighthouse marks the end of a different, but equally beautiful, coastline as the path follows a shingle ridge between the sea and the freshwater lake of Slapton Ley. The mouth of the Dart is marked by Dartmouth Castle and its medieval church. Mileage between towns on route: Plymouth(Cremyll Ferry to/from Cornwall)-Mountbatten; 8 miles Mountbatten - Wembury; 7 miles Wembury - Bigbury on Sea; 14 miles Bigbury on Sea - Hope Cove; 6 miles Hope Cove - Salcombe; 8 miles Salcombe - Torcross; 13 miles Torcross - Dartmouth; 10 miles

South West Coast Path (Barnstaple - Cornwall border)
Distance: 43 miles Difficulty: Easy/Moderate End points: Barnstaple (Grid Ref SS665308) Cornwall border (Grid Ref SS213175)

In the east, the path follows the estuary of the Taw and Torridge rivers, much on a former railway making for ideal family walking. West of the estuary, the path rounds the open expanses of Northam Burrows, an area of marsh and shingle. It then embarks on an undulating course, passing the unique village of Clovelly, to the distinctive headland of Hartland Point, Devon's north-west corner. Here, the coast turns to a north-south direction and follows a superb switchback of high cliffs and deep valleys, some with coastal waterfalls. A wild, remote stretch, this is arguably Devon's most dramatic length of coast. Mileage between towns on route: Barnstaple - Instow; 6 miles Instow - Bideford; 3 miles Bideford - Westward Ho!; 10 miles Westward Ho! - Clovelly; 11 miles Clovelly - Hartland Quay; 10 miles Hartland Quay - Morwenstow (Cornwall); 9 miles

E-mail: info@bramblesbedandbreakfast.co.uk or Phone: 01884 829211
Address: Brambles Bed and Breakfast, Whitnage Cottage, Whitnage, Tiverton, Devon EX16 7DS.

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