Plan Your South West Coast Path Hike The Easy Way!
In 100-mile Sections!
The South West Coast Path is thet UK’s longest waymarked national trail – 630 miles of bucket-list hiking!
630 miles though – that’s a planning nightmare! It’s overwhelming. There’s an easy way to plan your South West Coast Path hike though, and that’s to break it down into much smaller chunks, which is where this guide comes in.
It’s much easier to organise your South West Coast Path itinerary in 100-mile sections, whether you’re thru-hiking or walking the trail in stages.
Most section-hikers can comfortably walk around 100 miles a week, and if you’re thru-hiking the whole trail you’ll find shorter sections less overwhelming to plan.
It’s a difficult task to put all that amazing hiking into one guide, so here at 10 Mile Hike, you’ll find 2! This one gives you
- a short guide to each 100-mile section
- some planning details for each section, including travel and resupply
- plus links to my individual articles within that section. You’ll find loads of inspiration in those, from photos to stories and more travel details (these particular travel details are really handy for day hikes or shorter section hikes)

The sculpture in Minehead marks the start of the South West Coast Path national trail
The other guide isย Your ultimate Guide To Hiking The South West Coast Path. The Ultimate GuideTo Hiking The South West Coast Path gives you the big picture – all the general planning details you need. It includes things like wild camping, best times to go, gear, navigation, and so on. Head over there if that’s what you need right now. Otherwise, dive into planning your hike in 100-mile sections!

100 Mile Sections
The trail begins in Minehead in Somerset on the north coast and finishes on the south coast at South Haven Point (Poole Harbour) in Dorset. Each 100-mile section (ish) is laid out consecutively:
Contents
- Minehead to Hartland Point 105 miles
Somerset, crossing into north Devon at County Gate, and into Cornwall at Marsland Mouth - Hartland Point to Perranporth: 96.5 miles
Cornwall - Perranporth to Mullion Cove: 91.8 miles
Cornwall - Mullion Cove to Looe: 95.4 miles
Cornwall - Looe to Torquay 105.1 miles
Cornwall, crossing into South Devon in Plymouth - Torquay to Weymouth Ferrybridge (including the Portland loop): 92.3 miles
South Devon, crossing into Dorset at Lyme Regis - Weymouth Ferrybridge To South Haven Point (Poole Harbour) 42.6 miles
Dorset

Hiking on the north Cornwall coast
Notes On Travel And Resupply Details
The travel details I’ve given for each section include the most direct bus and train routes to and from a main line railway station.
Trains
Main line rail routes provide connections to towns and cities all around the country. The route that serves areas closest to the South West Coast Path is operated by Great Western Railway between London Paddington and Penzance (Cornwall).
Other useful train operators for smaller sections of the trail include Cross Country (with links via Birmingham) and South Western Railway (serving Weymouth, Poole, and London Waterloo.)
The best way to work out a route is to use this map:
I’ve included links to the closest stations in each section, with maps that show local bus stops too.
Find the best price rail tickets with this guide: How To Plan A Backpacking Trip On A National Trail: Travel
Buses
You’ll find links to the relevant bus operators below, as well as the route number to search for in their timetables.
Ferries
There are lots of ferry crossings on this national trail and most of them are seasonal. This means that some sections are only feasible to hike between April (usually Eastertime) and October- be sure to check the timetables linked below.
Resupply
I’ve listed the main towns and villages along the route that have convenience stores and/or large supermarkets, cafes/pubs that should have charging points and most other services you’ll need – open all year.
There may well be small hamlets and villages that I haven’t mentioned that also have cafes, pubs, public toilets etc, but these could be seasonal.
1. Minehead to Hartland Point: The First 105 Miles
Somerset and North Devon, Crossing into Cornwall
Highlights include Croyde, Clovelly, the Exmoor Coast including Valley of Rocks and Lynton and Lynmouth, Great Hangman (the highest cliffs on the whole trail), and the fantastic Blackchurch Rock.
You can expect steep climbs, uneven flights of endless steps, remoteness and spectacular views that make the effort worthwhile!

Croyde Bay

The steep cobbled street of Clovelly. Enjoy a pint at the Red Lion before trudging your way back up again!

Blcakchurch Rock is between Minehead and Hartland Point in North Devon – and not to be missed! (It’s near Clovelly at SS 29891 26642)

Wildflower field edges on the cliff tops
Travel
Travel To Minehead
- Arrive by train at Taunton GWR main line station with Cross Country connections
- Bus: Taunton to Minehead (approx 1.5 hours): First Somerset Route 28
Travel From Hartland Point
- Walk from Hartland Point to Hartland village (approx 3 miles)
- Bus: Hartland to Barnstaple: Stagecoach route 319
- Train from Barnstaple (GWR branch line) to the GWR main line station at Exeter St Davidsย with Cross Country connections
Ferry Crossings
- Instow to Appledore timetable – seasonal (NB if the ferry’s not running take the no. 21A bus that regularly runs around the estuary, operated by Stagecoach)
YHA And Places To Stay
There are no YHAs on the coast path in this section
- UK Hiking Resources Links to find campsites, B&Bs and independent hostels
- Campsites I’ve stayed at include:
- Clovelly: Ashcroft Farm (2022) offered clean, simple facilities including a basic kitchen with a washing machine. It’s about 4 miles from the coast path though and no taxis were available, and it’s expensive if you’re travelling alone. I’ve also wild camped on the coast near Clovelly, which was much easier.
- Hartland Quay: Stoke Barton Farm And Campsite A mile or so off-trail but worth the walk – it’s the best backpackers’ campsite I’ve stayed at. As well as a flat pitch there’s a brilliant large common room with comfy sofas, several microwaves and kettles, a complimentary stock of drinks from tea to hot chocolate, a fridge, freezer, and loads of sockets for charging. The shower facilities are simple but just what you need. There’s also a washing machine and a small shop.
Resupply – Main Towns And Villages
- Minehead
- Ilfacombe
- Lynton and Lynmouth

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2. Hartland Point To Perranporth: 96 Miles
Highlights include the geology at Millook, plus Boscastle, Tintagel, Port Isaac, Padstow, Newquay (the beaches, not the town!) and Holywell Bay.
More steep climbs and uneven steps mark this section of the South West Coast Path, but the scenery is outstanding
North Cornwall

Spectacular cliffs at Millook

Rock stack near Tintagel

Enjoy the climbs to Boscastle!

Carter’s Rocks at Holywell Bay, Newquay

Mother Ivey Bay near Padstow
Travel
Travel To Hartland Point
- Arrive by train at Exeter-St-Davids GWR main line station (also served by Cross Country)
- Train from Exeter St-Davids to Barnstaple (GWR branch line)
- Bus: from Barnstaple to Hartland: Stagecoach route 319
- Walk from Hartland village to Hartland Point (approx 3 miles)
Travel From Perranporth
- Bus from Perranporth (beach car park) to Truro First Kernow route U1A
- Train from Truro: Truro train station is on the GWR main line (also served by Cross Country)

Perranporth beach is a popular holiday spot – and great for a swim after a long day’s hike!
Ferry Crossings
- Padstow to Rock timetable – seasonal
- Newquay to Crantock via Fernpit Ferry – seasonal, but it’s possible to walk for a few hours either side of low tide (or add an additional 3-mile walk at high tide)
YHA And Other Places To Stay
- Youth Hotel Association: hostels on the coast at Boscastle, Tintagel, Treyarnon Bay, and Perranporth
- UK Hiking Resources: Links to find campsites, B&Bs, and independent hostels
- Campsites I’ve stayed at include:
- Hartland Quay:ย Stoke Barton Farm And Campsite.See above for details – it’s the best campsite I’ve stayed at!
- Bude: Upper Lynstone Caravan Park (2022) which is accessible from a footpath on the SWCP. It’s a large site full of motorhomes which felt very commercial, but the facilities were good. I’ve stayed here in the past too but it didn’t have the overwhelming claustrophobic feeling then – time of year maybe?
- Widemouth Bay: Penhalt Farm it’s a few years since I’ve stayed here, but it was a pleasant site with an old-fashioned feel. It wasn’t too busy then – but it was pouring with rain!

Wild Camping on the north Cornwall Coast
Resupply – Main Towns And Villages
- Bude
- Tintagel (slightly off-trail in the village)
- Port Isaac
- Padstow
- Newquay
- Perranporth
Read Articles About Hikes And Walks Between Hartland Point And Perranporth
- Newquay to Perranporth And On To St Agnes: A Stunning Coastal Hike Includes Newquay (Crantock), Holywell Bay, Perranporth, and St Agnes. 14 miles with details of how to extend to 16.5, 19, or 20 miles
3. Perranporth to Mullion Cove: 91.8 miles
North And South Cornwall
This section includes larger towns like Perranporth, St Ives and Penzance, as well as smaller towns like Porthleven. There are other beautiful places too, like St Agnes, Godrevy, Porthcurno,ย Mousehole, Church Cove and Mullion Cove. And don’t forget Land’s End…as long as you don’t look at the monstrosity behind you!

There are miles of sand on Perranporth and Perran beaches at low tide. This view is from the cliffs at Droskyn Point (where there’s a YHA)

Towanroath engine house on the edge of the cliffs at St Agnes

Footpath to Godrevy on theย Porthtowan and Portreath to Hayle section

Watching the sunrise from a wild camp at Porthcurno

Church Cove, close to Mullion
Travel
Travel To Perranporth
- Arrive atย Truro GWR main line station with Cross Country connections
- Bus from Truro (outside the railway station) to Perranporth: First Kernow route U1A (arrives at the beach car park)
Travel From Mullion
- Walk to Mullion village centre
- Bus from Mullion to Redruth railway station (via Helston): Go Cornwall route 34
- Arrive at Redruth train station GWR with Cross Country connections

Mullion Cove and harbour
Ferry Crossings
None needed for this section
YHA And Places To Stay
- Youth Hotel Association: hostels on the coast at Perranporth, Portreath, Landโs End, and Penzance
- UK Hiking Resources Links to find campsites, B&Bs, and independent hostels
- Campsites I’ve stayed at include:
- Land’s End: Land’s End Camping And Glamping – an easy 10-minute walk from the trail. It’s a fantastic site with level pitches, posh showers, a kitchen with a microwave, kettle and freezer – and more sockets and USB sockets than you can shake a stick at!

Land’s End Camping and Glamping site
Resupply – Main Towns And Village
- Perranporth
- St Agnes (about a mile off trail in the village)
- Porthleven
- St Ives
- St Just (a mile or so off trail, but good town facilities if you need them)
- Penzance
- Mullion (off-trail in the village, but with an excellent Co-op)

Sunset over Longships Lighthouse, Land’s End
Be Inspired!
Read Articles About Hikes And Walks Between Perranporth And Mullion Cove
- South Cornwall Hike (160 miles): The Journal:
- Part 1 Plymouth to Portwrinkle; Part 2 Portwrinkle to Lantic Bay; Part 3 Lantic Bay to Pentewan; Part 4 Pentewan to Towan Beach;ย Part 5 Towan Beach to Falmouth; Part 6 Falmouth to Coverack (includes Falmouth, Helford Passage and Coverack)
- Day 7 Coverack, Cadwith, Lizard Point, Kynance Cove, Mullion (Predannick) (18 miles)
- Day 8 Mullion Harbour, Gunwalloe, Porthleven (8.5 miles)
- Beautiful Cornwall Coast Path Walk: Porthtowan and Portreath to Hayle Includes Porthtowan, Portreath and Hayle. 15.5 miles, plus how to extend to 20 miles to St Ives
- Porthleven To Church Cove: Hiking The South West Coast Pathย 6 miles plus how to extend to 14 and 25 miles to Lizard Point
- Porthtowan, South West Coast Path – Hiking In 70mph Winds! St Agnes (Chapel Porth) To Porthtowan. A story of what it’s like to hike on the coast path in winter gales (includes amenities and local transport)
- St Agnes Heritage Coast (Cornwall’s North Coast Gem) St Agnes: Trevaunance Cove To Chapel Porth. A story of being knocked down by a winter virus (includes amenities and local transport
- Why The Cornwall Coast Path Blew Me Away Holywell Bay, St Agnes
- With The Elements, Coast Path Magazine Discover why I love the north coast of Cornwall in this article I wrote for Coast Path Magazine – it’s free to read
- West Penwith: My Favourite South West Coast Path Hike In Cornwall! St Ives to Penzance, a 40-mile multi-day hike that includes Land’s End
You Might Also Like

ย Your Ultimate Guide To Hiking The South West Coast Path – the big picture, including gear lists, wild camping, etc
How To Plan A Backpacking Trip On A National Trail: Travel – how to get the best price tickets, etc
UK Hiking Resources – links to travel operators, trail guide publishers, campsite searches, and more
4. Mullion Cove to Looe: 95.4 miles
South Cornwall
Celebrate the halfway point of the South West Coast Path at Porthallow!
Highlights of this section include Kynance Cove, Lizard Point (the UKs most southerly point), Helford Passage, Falmouth, Portscatho, Fowey and Polperro – and plenty more besides!

Heading down to Kynance Cove on the Lizard Peninsular

Durgan Beach on the Helford River near Falmouth

It’s worth a wander around the old streets of Polperro
Travel
Travel To Mullion
- Arrive at Redruth train station GWR main line with Cross Country connections
- Bus from Redruth to Mullion (via Helston): Go Cornwall route 34 (stops outside the railway station)
- Walk to the coast from Mullion village centre
Travel From Looe
Ferry Crossings
I recommend section hikers do this one in summer.
- Gillan Creek ferry isn’t running at the moment (it’s seasonal anyway) but you can walk across the creek at low tide or walk around it when the tide’s in (add 3 miles)
- Helford River timetable – seasonal
- Falmouth to St Mawes timetable – all year round*
- St Mawes to Place Creek timetable – seasonal*
- Fowey – Polruan timetable – runs all year
*The Falmouth to St Mawes Ferry runs all year, but you need the St Mawes and Place ferry to get from Falmouth to the start of the trail on the Roseland Peninsular.
YHA And Places To Stay
- Youth Hotel Association: hostels on the coast at Lizard, Coverack, and Boswinger
- UK Hiking Resources Links to find campsites, B&Bs, and independent hostels
Resupply – Main Towns And Villages
- Lizard Village (just off trail)
- Coverack
- Falmouth
- Portscatho
- Mevagissey
- Fowey
- Polperro
- Looe
Be Inspired!
Read Articles About Hikes And Walks Between Mullion Cove And Looe
- South Cornwall Hike (160 miles): The Journal:
- Part 1 Plymouth to Portwrinkle; Part 2 Portwrinkle to Lantic Bay (includes Looe and Polperro); Part 3 Lantic Bay to Pentewan (includes Fowey); Part 4 Pentewan to Towan Beach (includes Mevagissey); Part 5 Towan Beach to Falmouth
- With The Elements, Coast Path Magazine There’s a bit about why Falmouth is so special in this article that I wrote for Coast Path Magazine – it’s free to read
5. Looe to Torquay: 105.1 miles
South Cornwall And South Devon
Includes part of the Jurassic Coast from Dawlish to Torquay (Devon)

Looe Island is a nature reserve that you can visit at certain times of year

Mattiscombe Sands (near Start Point), South Devon

Wyscombe Beach, South Devon

Brixham harbour is bustling and full of colour
Travel
Travel To Looe
- Arrive at Liskeard GWR main line with Cross Country connections
- Train from Liskeard to Looe (GWR branch line)
Train from Torquay
- Train from GWR branch line at Torquay toย Newton Abbot GWR main line (with Cross Country connections)
Ferry Crossings
There are loads of large rivers and estuaries in this section so if you’re section hiking it’s definitely one for summer.
- Cremyll (Mount Edgecombe) to Plymouth timetable – all year
- Plymouth Barbican to Plymouth Mount Batten timetable – all year. The ferry was closed when I was here, which meant a horrible trudge through industrial estates and beside busy roads. It’s an official alternative route, but if the ferry’s running – take the ferry!
- Wembury to Noss Mayo – seasonal and possibly one of my favourite crossings on the trail
- Bigbury to Bantham – seasonal but it’s possible to walk. I arrived about 3 days early and had no choice – it adds about 10 miles though and I was not amused haha! It’s a lovely walk though. (I read that the ferry starts running at ‘Easter’, which, apparently, doesn’t mean the Easter holiday, it means Easter day – be sure to check.)
- Salcombe to East Portlemouth all year
- Dartmouth to Kingswear timetable – all year and a lovely trip! More Dartmouth ferries
YHA And Places To Stay
There are no YHAs on the coast path in this section.
- UK Hiking Resources Links to find campsites, B&Bs and independent hostels
Resupply – Main Towns And Villages
- Looe
- Plymouth
- Salcombe
- Dartmouth
- Brixham
- Paignton
- Torquay
Be Inspired!
Read Articles About Hikes And Walks Between Looe And Torquay
- South Cornwall Hike (160 miles): The Journal:
- Part 1 Plymouth to Portwrinkle; Part 2 Portwrinkle to Lantic Bay (includes Looe and Polperro); Part 3 Lantic Bay to Pentewan (includes Fowey); Part 4 Pentewan to Towan Beach (includes Mevagissey); Part 5 Towan Beach to Falmouth
6. Torquay to Weymouth: 92.3 miles
South Devon and Dorset
The Jurassic Coast begins in this 100-mile section at Exmouth and the geology is just breathtaking. You hike through The Undercliff, Lyme Regis, Chesil Beach and the Isle of Portland to name but a few.

Weymouth is a large Dorset town which is the perfect place to resupply – and duck out of heavy rain!

Chesil Beach from the Isle of Portland

Finished! The famous blue sign that marks the end of the South West Coast Path at South Haven Point
Travel
Train To Torquay
- Arrive at Newton Abbot GWR main line (with Cross Country connections)
- Train toย Torquay on the GWR branch line
Travel From Weymouth
- Train from South Western Railway station atย Weymouth to Castle Cary Railway Station for GWR main line connections, or South Western Railway into London Waterloo (via Southhampton, Basingstoke, and Woking) for connections across the country
Ferry Crossings
- Shaldon to Teignmouth – all year
- Starcross to Exmouth* – seasonal
- Turf to Topsham* – seasonal
- Dawlish and Exmouth* – seasonal
*It’s also possible to get a train round the river Exe from Starcross (near Dawlish) to Exmouth, via Exeter (GWR branch lines) – especially useful if you’re hiking out of ferry season
YHA And Places To Stay
- Youth Hotel Association: hostel on the coast at Beer
- UK Hiking Resources: Links to find campsites, B&Bs and independent hostels
Resupply – Main Towns And Villages
- Teignmouth
- Dawlish
- Sidmouth
- Seaton
- Lyme Regis
- Weymouth
7. Weymouth to Poole Harbour: The Final 42.6 miles
Dorset
This section includes the final stretch of the Jurassic Coast to Old Harry Rocks, then on through Studland to the end of the South West Coast Path at South Haven Point (Poole Harbour).
It’s a breathtaking hike that includes iconic scenery including Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Old Harry Rocks – you won’t be disappointed even though it marks the end of the trail!

Historic buildings around Weymouth Harbour

The Dorset landscape emerges through a misty sunrise as I head down to Durdle Door

Magnificent chalk cliffs at Old Harry Rocks
Travel
Travel To Weymouth
- Arrive at Castle Cary Railway Station (GWR mainline)
- Train toย Weymouth Railway Station (South Western Railway)
- You can also get to Weymouth via the London Waterloo mainline operated by South Western Railway. This has line has links from Southhampton, Basingstoke, and Woking
Travel From Poole
- At South Haven Point, at the end of the SWCP, you cross to Poole via the Sandbanks Ferry
- The mainline train station in Poole is run by South Western Railway, which runs to London Waterloo with connections across the country
Ferry Crossings
- South Haven Point to Poole: Sandbanks Ferry – all year
YHA And Places To Stay
There are no YHAs on the coast path in this section.
- UK Hiking Resources Links to find campsites, B&Bs and independent hostels
Resupply – Main Towns And Villages
- Weymouth
- Swanage
- Poole
Be Inspired!
Read Articles About Hikes And Walks Between Weymouth And Poole Harbour
- 5 Reasons Old Harry Rocks Will Make Your Day! Old Harry Rocks and Studland Bay – spectacular views to end your hike on the South West Coast Path
Thanks for reading Walking The Ridgeway: The Ultimate Guide To Hiking Britain’s Oldest Road! I hope you enjoyed it and found plenty of useful info for planning your own adventure but feel free to leave a comment if you’ve got a question. I’d love to help if I can.
Why not support me to write more guides? I plan to hike all of our national trails and share everything I learn with you in guides just like this. My supporters over on my Ko-fi page helped me raise funds for part of the train ticket for hiking this trail, and now I’m fundraising for the next one! You can support me for just ยฃ3 – the price of a cup of coffee (I love a cappuccino!). (Ko-fi is where I share regular mini-updates as well, head over and follow me there too, it’ll be lovely to keep in touch.)
Another great way to help out is to share this guide on your favourite social media apps – and pin me to your favourite Pinterest board of course!
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.
Happy hiking
Stephie x

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