Walking the South West Coast Path (Somerset & Exmoor Section): High Cliffs, Open Moor, and a Powerful Start to the Journey
Some walking holidays are about gentleness or ease.
Others are about exposure — to wind, height, and landscapes that feel raw and uncompromising.
Walking the South West Coast Path through Somerset and Exmoor is about that sense of intensity: a coastline where cliffs rise sharply from the sea, paths climb and fall with little apology, and the scale of the landscape is felt with every step.
Beginning in Minehead and running west along the edge of Exmoor National Park, this opening section sets the tone for the entire South West Coast Path — dramatic, demanding, and deeply rewarding.
A Coast Defined by Height and Movement
This section of the South West Coast Path wastes no time in establishing its character. Leaving Minehead, the route climbs quickly onto the cliffs above the Bristol Channel, revealing long views across the water and back toward the Quantock Hills.
The path rarely stays level for long. Instead, it rises and falls in constant response to the coastline, tracing headlands, wooded combes, and exposed ridges where the sea is never far below. On Exmoor, moorland reaches the cliff edge, creating a rare combination of high open ground and coastal exposure.
Walking here feels physical and elemental. The terrain demands attention, but the reward is a sense of immersion that flatter coastal routes rarely offer.
Where Moorland Meets the Sea
One of the defining qualities of the Somerset & Exmoor section is the way landscapes overlap.
Open heath and rough grassland give way to oak woodland clinging to steep valleys, before emerging again onto bare cliff tops. Streams cut sharply through the land, creating deep, wooded combes that add variety — and effort — to each day’s walking.
This constant change keeps the route engaging, but it also shapes how the walk is experienced. Days feel shorter than the distances suggest, and pacing becomes as important as mileage.
Villages, Harbours, and Remote Stretches
Settlements along this stretch of coast are fewer and more widely spaced than on gentler trails. Small harbours and villages appear occasionally — places like Porlock Weir — offering moments of shelter and human scale amid the wider landscape.
Between them, long stretches of path feel remote and exposed, reinforcing the sense that this is a journey led by geography rather than convenience. For walkers, this creates a powerful rhythm: effort followed by rest, isolation balanced by brief encounters with coastal life.
Walking That Demands — and Rewards — Commitment
Physically, this is one of the more demanding sections of the South West Coast Path. Steep ascents and descents are frequent, and the cumulative effect can be significant over multiple days.
That said, the route remains well waymarked and straightforward to follow, making it well suited to self-guided walking holidays for those with a good base level of fitness. With accommodation arranged in advance and distances planned sensibly, the challenge becomes part of the appeal rather than a barrier.
Why This Section Works as a Walking Holiday
The Somerset & Exmoor section of the South West Coast Path is not about easing into coastal walking — it’s about setting expectations.
It offers some of the trail’s most dramatic scenery, a strong sense of progression, and a feeling of being properly immersed in one of England’s wildest coastlines. For walkers who enjoy physical effort paired with outstanding views, it’s a compelling place to begin — or to walk as a standalone journey.
Explore the South West Coast Path (Somerset & Exmoor Section)
Explore the full trail guide and walking holiday options for the South West Coast Path through Somerset and Exmoor →
