Guidance

South West Coast Path: National Trail

Published 24 June 2026

Applies to England

The South West Coast Path is a 630-mile (1,014km) National Trail around the southwest peninsula of England.

Starting at Minehead in Somerset, it goes along the coastlines of Exmoor and North Devon before following the entire coastline of Cornwall. The trail then goes across the mouth of the River Tamar, along the south coast of Devon and Dorset coastline, before ending at Poole Harbour.

The South West Coast Path goes through Exmoor National Park and the Cornwall National Landscape.

About the trail

The trail goes between:

• Minehead, Somerset
• Poole Harbour, Dorset

You can choose to walk the entire trail, a specific section or two, or find local circular walks that follow some of the trail.

You can find some circular and linear walks on the National Trails website and the South West Coast Path Association website.

When to visit

The trail is open all year.

Signposts on the trail

All National Trails are marked with an acorn symbol or the trail name. You’ll see these along the trail, for example on gates and signposts.

On the South West Coast Path you’ll also see:

• large markers at key points on the trail, such as Minehead (the start), Porthallow (the mid-point) and South Haven Point (the end)
• way markers that tell you how far you are from each end of the trail

Ferries on the trail

There are a number of ferries that you have to take to cross estuaries along the trail. You can find information about ferries on the South West Coast Path Association website.

Walking the whole trail

• Length: 630 miles (1,014km)
• Time to complete: around 30 to 56 days

You can walk the trail in either direction. Signposts show the route in both directions so you can choose.

Most people start the trail at Minehead and end in Poole, which is the direction most guidebooks are written.

A fast walker can complete the whole trail in around 30 days. However you may want to give yourself extra time to explore while on the trail, which could be between 7 and 8 weeks in total.

Most people split the trail into sections and complete it over several visits.

Accessibility on the trail

The South West Coast Path can be challenging in places, with over 115,000 feet (35,000m) of ascent and descent along the route. There are steep hills and rugged coastal paths in many places.

You can find more information about easy access paths from the South West Coast Path Association. These include routes which are accessible for people with wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs.

What you can experience on the trail

There are many things you can experience on the South West Coast Path, including:

• wildlife – such as choughs, cirl buntings, razorbills and fulmars, butterflies, seals and dolphins
• historic and heritage sites – such as the UNESCO Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, and the English Riviera Global Geopark
• nature reserves – such as Durlston Country Park
• local culture, food and entertainment

On the trail you can also visit cities, towns and small villages, including:

• Weymouth
• Plymouth
• Penzance
• Newquay
• Westward Ho!
• St Ives
• Dawlish
• Swanage

Sections of the trail

You can find a 52-day itinerary on the South West Coast Path website.

The example below gives an overview the trail split into sections that you could walk in a week. You can find more information online and in guidebooks to help plan your route.

Minehead to Westward Ho! (Exmoor and North Devon) – 7 days, 87 miles (140km)

The trail crosses the high moors and woods of Exmoor National Park before passing the surf beaches of Woolcombe and around the sheltered Taw and Torridge Estuary.

Westward Ho! to Padstow (Hartland and North Cornwall coast) – 7 days, 78 miles (125.km)

This is a challenging section of the coast path, with exposed cliff top walking and several steep climbs and descents. South of Hartland Point there are switchbacks of hills and valleys to cross. This part of the trail passes through the towns of Clovelly, Tintagel, Post Isaac and ends in Padstow.

Padstow to St Ives (Cornwall’s Atlantic coast) – 6 days, 66 miles (106km)

Heading west, this section of coast is a mix of rugged cliff tops, headlands, surf beaches and estuaries. The route goes through the coastal communities of Newquay, Perranporth and Hayle with their extensive beaches.

St Ives to The Lizard (the far west of Cornwall) – 6 days, 69 miles (111km)

This section of the trail routes passes through the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site and around the tip of Cornwall.

Starting at the coastal town of St Ives, it goes out onto a remote section of coast. After passing Land’s End and the sheltered valleys on the south coast, the route then emerges onto the wilder landscape of the Lizard peninsula.

Lizard to Par (South Cornwall) – 6 days, 72 miles (115.8km)

This section of the route is less strenuous to walk than many other areas of the South West Coast Path, although it still has some difficult sections. The trail passes numerous small bays, picturesque fishing villages and some prominent headlands.

Par to Torcross (South East Cornwall, Plymouth and the South Hams) – 7 days, 94 miles (151km)

This section is known for its estuaries, which are mostly crossed by ferries. The route passes through wild areas and farmed landscapes before reaching the historic port of Plymouth. It then moves along the coast of the South Hams, passing the communities of Wembury, Hope Cove and Salcombe.

Torcross to Seaton (South and East Devon) – 6 days, 72 miles (115.8km)

This section runs along easterly facing coasts of south and east Devon with a mix of farms and seaside resorts. The area is famous for its geology, and the trail goes through the English Riviera Geopark and the start of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Seaton to South Haven Point (Dorset’s Jurassic Coast) – 7 days, 92 miles (148km)

This section of the trail passes through the Jurassic Coast, England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated for its rocks, fossils and landforms.

Near Weymouth you have a choice of 2 routes. You can either stay on the coast or follow the South Dorset Ridgeway through one of the UK’s ancient ceremonial landscapes.

Maps for the trail

You can find:  

• a map on the National Trails website - you can also download GPX data
• other maps and guidebooks online and in print
• circular and linear walks online and from the local council

The Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer maps that cover the South West Coast Path are:  

• 102 Land’s End
• 103 The Lizard
• 104 Redruth and St Agnes
• 105 Falmouth and Mevagissey
• 106 Newquay and Padstow
• 107 St Austell and Liskeard
• 108 Lower Tamar Valley and Plymouth
• 109 Bodmin Moor
• OL44 Torquay and Dawlish
• 111 Bude, Boscastle and Tintagel
• 115 Exmouth and Sidmouth
• 116 Lyme Regis and Bridport
• 126 Clovelly and Hartland
• 139 Bideford, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple
• OL15 Purbeck and South Dorset
• OL20 South Devon
• OL9 Exmoor

Diversions or closures on the trail

If there are any diversions or closures of sections of the trail, these will be clearly signposted. You should always follow the signposts on the trail.

Prepare for your visit

Read guidance on how to prepare for your visit for information on: 

• checking the route – including for diversions or closures 
• planning your trip 
• what to prepare before you set off 
• what to do on the trail

Contact

Use the relevant National Trails online form to:

• report a problem
• ask a question about accessibility on the trail
• find out about volunteering opportunities

Contact the local council to report a problem on a public right of way, for example obstructions, poor maintenance or a misleading sign.