South West Coast Path
England's longest National Trail, following the dramatic coastline of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset through cliffs, estuaries and fishing villages.
Route overview
The South West Coast Path is England's longest waymarked long-distance footpath, running approximately 1,014 kilometres from Minehead in Somerset along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall to Poole Harbour in Dorset. Established as a National Trail, it offers some of the most varied coastal scenery in Britain. The path passes through the Exmoor National Park, the rugged cliffs of North Devon, the surfing beaches of Bude and Newquay, the granite headlands of Land's End, and the fossil-rich Jurassic Coast of Dorset. The terrain is constantly changing: high cliff-top walking with steep ascents and descents, sheltered estuary paths, beach sections, and occasional road walking through harbour towns. The full through-walk typically takes six to eight weeks, though most people walk it in sections over several years. Accommodation ranges from campsites and bunkhouses to bed-and-breakfasts in fishing villages. The trail is well waymarked with the National Trail acorn symbol.
Trail facts
- Country
- England
- Region
- South West England
- Distance
- 1,014 km
- Typical duration
- 6–8 weeks
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Elevation gain
- c. 35,000 m cumulative
- Best season
- April–October
- Trail type
- Long-distance coastal path
Safety context
High cliff-top paths can be dangerous in high winds. Tide times must be checked for beach sections. Some steep ascents and descents are demanding in wet weather.
The constant elevation change is greater than many mountain trails — cumulative ascent over the full path is among the highest of any UK National Trail.
Highlights
Clovelly village and harbour Lundy Island views Tintagel Castle and Arthurian coast Land's End granite cliffs St Ives bay and harbour Lizard Point — southernmost England Jurassic Coast fossil beaches Durdle Door limestone arch
Why find a buddy
Six to eight weeks of continuous coastal walking is a significant undertaking — a trail partner shares logistics, keeps morale high through repetitive cliff climbs, and adds safety on remote sections.
Primary source
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Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.