The counties of Devon and Cornwall offer some of the most scenic and varied coastal paths in the UK. The variety of walking on offer is hard to match anywhere in the British Isles. In this blog post, we have included a variety of different walks in varying degrees of difficulty, length, ascent and time.
Length - 5.0 miles / 8.1 km
Ascent - 800 feet / 242 metres
Time - 3 hours 20 minutes
Grade - Easy/mod
A pleasant South Devon walk from Bigbury-on-Sea that visits the pretty village of Ringmore before joining the South West Coast Path at Toby's Point. The route then follows a scenic section of the coast path to Challabrough before passing Warren Point on the way back to Bigbury-on-Sea. Depending on tides a circuit of Burgh Island can either be completed by walking across the beach or using the sea tractor at high tide.
Length - 6.0 miles / 9.8 km
Ascent - 650 feet / 197 metres
Time - 3 hours 40 minutes
Difficulty - Easy/mod
This easy walk takes in some fine country walking through well-established woodland to the well-known village of Clovelly. The return journey is along the country's longest trail the South West Coastal Path which offers some fine coastal scenery.
Length - 8.0 miles / 13 km
Difficulty - 1000 feet / 303 metres
Time - 5 hours 0 minutes
Difficulty - Easy/mod
This Devon walk starts from the car park on the seafront at Torcross and then follows the South West Coast path before turning inland to explore the countryside. Returning to the coast at Bee Sands the circular route is completed by re-joining the South West Coast path back to the start.
Length - 11.0 miles / 17.9 km
Ascent - 3000 feet / 909 metres
Time - 8 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty - Mod/hard
South Devon offers some of the finest coastlines on mainland Britain, ranging from golden sandy beaches to dramatic rocky cliffs plunging into the sea. With this walk, the going is relatively easy as this section of the South West Coast Path is well walked and the way ahead clear. However, there is some spectacular coastal scenery to be enjoyed.
Length - 3.5 miles / 5.7 km
Ascent - 300 feet / 91 metres
Time - 2 hours 0 minutes
Difficulty - Easy
This walk along the North Devon Coast includes a section of the South West Coast National Trail. The route follows paths and lanes so a stout pair of walking shoes is not essential but, when wet, you might be glad of them. A waterproof jacket is always advisable. Remember this is the Atlantic coast after all.
Length - 11.0 miles / 17.9 km
Ascent - 1900 feet / 576 metres
Time - 7 hours 20 minutes
Difficulty - Mod/hard
Walking the South West Coast Path should never be seen as an easy undertaking unless you have prior knowledge of the route. This walk in particular includes as much length and ascent as many a high level fell walk with much of the climbing left to the end of the route. Combining an inland walk along the "Tinners Way" the route takes you to St Ives where you have the option of exploring the town before returning along the coastal path.
Length - 10.5 miles / 17.1 km
Ascent - 2500 feet / 758 metres
Time - 7 hours 50 minutes
Difficulty - moderate
This linear Cornwall walk starts from Newquay and follows the South West Coast Path north to Porthcothan. The walking is superb and quite strenuous with constant views of this dramatic coastline. If you are lucky you will see a wide variety of marine wildlife including seals and many species of birds.
Length - 9.0 miles / 14.6 km
Ascent - 1970 feet / 597 metres
Time - 6 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty - Moderate
This Cornwall walk combines a superb section of Cornish coastline and one of the prettiest fishing harbours in England with a rural section including the woodland of St Nectan's Glen. This is not an easy walk and after rain the section through the Glen can be very muddy.
Length - 8.0 miles / 13 km
Ascent - 1350 feet / 409 metres
Time - 5 hours 20 minutes
Difficulty - Moderate
Lizard Point is the most southerly point on the mainland of Britain. At times it can be very busy with visitors especially when the weather is fine. This Cornwall walk links some of the highlights of the peninsula and provides a good full day walk especially if you take your time and perhaps stop for refreshments en-route.
Length - 11.4 miles / 18.5 km
Ascent - 1400 feet / 424 metres
Time - 7 hours 10 minutes
Difficulty - Moderate
This Cornwall coastal walk starts from Rock on the Camel Estuary. The route follows the South West Coast Path past Brea Hill to reach Polzeath. The route continues along the coastal path to Pentire Point and along the cliffs at Port Quin Bay. The route then turns inland and uses country lanes and paths to cross the peninsula and return to the start. As with many coastal walks, the route is undulating with many ascents and descents.
