Clifftop paths, working harbours, and a continuous journey around England’s Atlantic coast
The South West Coast Path is a long-distance self-guided travel route linking walking routes, landscapes, and places along the edge of South West England. Stretching from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset, the 630-mile trail follows the coastline through Exmoor, Devon, Cornwall, and the Jurassic Coast, connecting beaches, cliffs, estuaries, and historic seaside towns into one continuous journey on foot.
Walking here is defined by repetition and effort rather than distance alone. The path rises and falls constantly as it traces the natural line of the coast, dropping to sea level at coves and harbours before climbing again onto exposed headlands. Progress is measured in headlands passed rather than miles covered, creating a steady rhythm shaped by ascent, descent, and weather.
The character of the route changes gradually as it moves through different landscapes. Exmoor’s high cliffs feel remote and windswept; North Devon opens into long beaches and surf bays; Cornwall brings rugged rock, fishing villages, and narrow harbour towns; South Devon softens into estuaries and farmland; and Dorset’s Jurassic Coast reveals broad cliffs and layered stone shaped by deep geological time.
Settlements appear at regular intervals, providing natural pauses along the way. Small ports, historic towns, and working harbours sit where rivers meet the sea, giving the trail a strong sense of continuity between landscape and daily life.
Rather than a single viewpoint or destination, the appeal of the South West Coast Path lies in its scale and persistence — a long, uninterrupted walk shaped by tide, weather, and the constant presence of the sea.
Trail Overview
Distance
Approx. 630 miles / 1,014 km
Typical time on foot
6–8 weeks for the full route (or shorter sections)
Start
Minehead, Somerset
Finish
Poole Harbour, Dorset
Terrain
Clifftop paths, steep ascents and descents, coastal farmland, estuary crossings, beaches, and harbour towns
Waymarking
National Trail acorn symbols throughout
