Day-by-day trail itinerary
South West Coast Path: 43-day itinerary
The South West Coast Path is Britain's longest National Trail: about 1013 km (630 miles) of coastal walking from Minehead in Somerset, around the whole of the North Devon, Cornwall, South Devon and Dorset coast, to South Haven Point on Poole Harbour. The route grew out of the beats trodden by 19th-century coastguards watching for smugglers, and still threads a near-continuous line of cliffs, coves, sea stacks, dunes, fishing harbours and holiday resorts, much of it protected as National Park, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Heritage Coast or the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. A fit walker completes it in about a month; the SWCP Association's own itinerary runs to 52 days, and most people split it across several trips. Many facilities are seasonal, several southern estuaries are crossed by ferries that only run in summer, and a few crossings depend on the tide, so each stage rewards checking ahead.
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Compare South West Coast Path itineraries
A practical starting point
43 days from Minehead to South Haven Point
Use these daily distances and overnight stops as a starting point, then customise the trip in the planner.
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1
Day 1: Minehead → Porlock
14.4 km · 391 m ascent · 4h14–5h59 (about 4h59, incl. ~50m of stops)
Via Allerford, Bossington -
2
Day 2: Porlock → Lynton
21.4 km · 969 m ascent · 7h04–9h59 (about 8h19, incl. ~1h23 of stops)
Via Oare, Brendon, Lynmouth -
3
Day 3: Lynton → Combe Martin
21.1 km · 1,259 m ascent · 7h27–10h31 (about 8h46, incl. ~1h28 of stops)
Via Martinhoe -
4
Day 4: Combe Martin → Woolacombe
22.6 km · 924 m ascent · 7h19–10h20 (about 8h37, incl. ~1h26 of stops)
Via Berrynarbor, Ilfracombe, Lee, Mortehoe -
5
Day 5: Woolacombe → Ashford
28.2 km · 212 m ascent · 7h07–10h02 (about 8h22, incl. ~1h23 of stops)
Via Georgeham, Croyde, Saunton, Braunton, Chivenor, Heanton Punchardon -
6
Day 6: Ashford → Appledore
25.1 km · 81 m ascent · 6h05–8h35 (about 7h10, incl. ~1h11 of stops)
Via Barnstaple, Bickington, Fremington, Yelland, Instow, Westleigh, Bideford, Northam -
7
Day 7: Appledore → Clovelly
25.0 km · 723 m ascent · 7h23–10h26 (about 8h42, incl. ~1h27 of stops)
Via Westward Ho!, Abbotsham, Bucks Mills, Cranford, Woolfardisworthy -
8
Day 8: Clovelly → Welcombe
23.7 km · 797 m ascent · 7h18–10h18 (about 8h35, incl. ~1h26 of stops)
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9
Day 9: Welcombe → Widemouth Bay
23.1 km · 778 m ascent · 7h11–10h09 (about 8h28, incl. ~1h25 of stops)
Via Morwenstow, Flexbury, Poughill, Stratton, Bude, Marhamchurch -
10
Day 10: Widemouth Bay → Boscastle
22.2 km · 1,044 m ascent · 7h29–10h34 (about 8h48, incl. ~1h28 of stops)
Via Poundstock, Higher Crackington, Middle Crackington, Crackington Haven -
11
Day 11: Boscastle → Port Isaac
21.3 km · 892 m ascent · 6h57–9h49 (about 8h10, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Tintagel, Treknow, Trebarwith Strand, Delabole, Treligga -
12
Day 12: Port Isaac → Padstow
20.5 km · 422 m ascent · 5h45–8h07 (about 6h46, incl. ~1h08 of stops)
Via New Polzeath, Polzeath, Trebetherick, Pityme, Splatt, Rock -
13
Day 13: Padstow → Mawgan Porth
29.0 km · 544 m ascent · 8h–11h18 (about 9h25, incl. ~1h34 of stops)
Via Trevone, St. Merryn, Harlyn, Constantine Bay, Treyarnon, Penrose, Trenance -
14
Day 14: Mawgan Porth → Holywell
25.7 km · 458 m ascent · 7h03–9h57 (about 8h17, incl. ~1h23 of stops)
Via Trevarrian, Tregurrian, St. Columb Minor, Porth, Newquay, Crantock -
15
Day 15: Holywell → Portreath
26.5 km · 732 m ascent · 7h50–11h03 (about 9h13, incl. ~1h32 of stops)
Via Cubert, Bolingey, Perranporth, Perrancoombe, Trevellas Downs, Mithian, Goonbell, St. Agnes, Mount Hawke, Porthtowan -
16
Day 16: Portreath → St Ives
28.5 km · 497 m ascent · 7h47–11h (about 9h10, incl. ~1h32 of stops)
Via Connor Downs, Angarrack, Phillack, Hayle, St Erth, Lelant Saltings, Uny Lelant, Carbis Bay, Halsetown -
17
Day 17: St Ives → Boscaswell
23.6 km · 790 m ascent · 7h15–10h14 (about 8h32, incl. ~1h25 of stops)
Via Zennor, Porthmeor, Morvah, Bojewyan, Pendeen -
18
Day 18: Boscaswell → Treen
24.5 km · 612 m ascent · 7h05–9h59 (about 8h20, incl. ~1h23 of stops)
Via Bosavern, St Just, Mayon, Sennen, Sennen Cove, Porthcurno -
19
Day 19: Treen → Perranuthnoe
26.1 km · 375 m ascent · 6h59–9h52 (about 8h13, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Lamorna, Mousehole, Paul, Tredavoe, Newlyn, Penzance, Heamoor, Gulval, Longrock, Ludgvan, Crowlas, Marazion -
20
Day 20: Perranuthnoe → Mullion
24.5 km · 576 m ascent · 7h01–9h54 (about 8h15, incl. ~1h23 of stops)
Via Rosudgeon, Germoe, Praa Sands, Ashton, Breage, Porthleven -
21
Day 21: Mullion → Coverack
28.9 km · 672 m ascent · 8h16–11h40 (about 9h44, incl. ~1h37 of stops)
Via Lizard, St. Ruan, Cadgwith, Ruan Minor, Kuggar -
22
Day 22: Coverack → Helford
21.0 km · 376 m ascent · 5h45–8h07 (about 6h46, incl. ~1h08 of stops)
Via St. Keverne, Porthoustock, Manaccan -
23
Day 23: Helford → St. Mawes
21.9 km · 244 m ascent · 5h41–8h02 (about 6h42, incl. ~1h07 of stops)
Via Porth Navas, Mawnan, Mawnan Smith, Maenporth, Budock Water, Falmouth, Flushing, Mylor Churchtown -
24
Day 24: St. Mawes → Portloe
22.9 km · 460 m ascent · 6h23–9h01 (about 7h30, incl. ~1h15 of stops)
Via Bohortha, Gerrans, Portscatho, Trewithian, Veryan -
25
Day 25: Portloe → Pentewan
23.2 km · 700 m ascent · 6h59–9h52 (about 8h13, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Gorran Haven, Gorran Churchtown, Portmellon, Mevagissey -
26
Day 26: Pentewan → Fowey
24.7 km · 515 m ascent · 6h55–9h46 (about 8h08, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Charlestown, Par, St Blazey, Tywardreath -
27
Day 27: Fowey → Seaton
26.4 km · 796 m ascent · 7h57–11h13 (about 9h21, incl. ~1h34 of stops)
Via Polruan, Lansallos, Polperro, Porthallow, Talland, Hannafore, Looe, West Looe, East Looe, St Martin -
28
Day 28: Seaton → Kingsand
21.8 km · 562 m ascent · 6h20–8h58 (about 7h28, incl. ~1h14 of stops)
Via Downderry, Crafthole, Sheviock, Antony, St. John, Freathy, Millbrook -
29
Day 29: Kingsand → Wembury
30.0 km · 405 m ascent · 7h55–11h11 (about 9h19, incl. ~1h33 of stops)
Via Torpoint, Plymouth, Down Thomas, Heybrook Bay -
30
Day 30: Wembury → Bigbury-on-Sea
24.2 km · 586 m ascent · 6h59–9h52 (about 8h14, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Newton Ferrers, Mothecombe, Kingston, Ringmore -
31
Day 31: Bigbury-on-Sea → Salcombe
21.2 km · 503 m ascent · 6h04–8h34 (about 7h08, incl. ~1h11 of stops)
Via Bigbury, Thurlestone, South Milton, Galmpton, Hope, Malborough -
32
Day 32: Salcombe → Beesands
18.9 km · 493 m ascent · 5h32–7h49 (about 6h31, incl. ~1h05 of stops)
Via East Portlemouth, East Prawle, Chivelstone, South Hallsands, North Hallsands, Kellaton -
33
Day 33: Beesands → Kingswear
18.3 km · 516 m ascent · 5h25–7h39 (about 6h23, incl. ~1h04 of stops)
Via Beeson, Torcross, Stokenham, Slapton, Strete, Stoke Fleming, Dartmouth -
34
Day 34: Kingswear → Paignton
26.4 km · 827 m ascent · 8h01–11h19 (about 9h26, incl. ~1h34 of stops)
Via Brixham, Churston Ferrers, Galmpton -
35
Day 35: Paignton → Teignmouth
23.2 km · 817 m ascent · 7h14–10h13 (about 8h31, incl. ~1h25 of stops)
Via Torquay, Stokeinteignhead, Ringmore, Shaldon -
36
Day 36: Teignmouth → Budleigh Salterton
24.2 km · 304 m ascent · 6h21–8h58 (about 7h28, incl. ~1h15 of stops)
Via Holcombe, Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Cockwood, Starcross, Kenton, Exmouth, Knowle -
37
Day 37: Budleigh Salterton → Branscombe
21.7 km · 803 m ascent · 6h47–9h35 (about 7h59, incl. ~1h20 of stops)
Via East Budleigh, Otterton, Sidmouth, Salcombe Regis -
38
Day 38: Branscombe → Charmouth
23.2 km · 724 m ascent · 7h04–9h58 (about 8h19, incl. ~1h23 of stops)
Via Beer, Seaton, Colyford, Axmouth, Lyme Regis, Uplyme -
39
Day 39: Charmouth → West Bexington
21.2 km · 511 m ascent · 6h08–8h39 (about 7h13, incl. ~1h12 of stops)
Via Morcombelake, North Chideock, Symondsbury, Higher Eype, Eype, Bridport, Bothenhampton, Shipton Gorge, Burton Bradstock, Swyre, Puncknowle -
40
Day 40: West Bexington → Weymouth
26.9 km · 217 m ascent · 6h49–9h37 (about 8h01, incl. ~1h20 of stops)
Via Abbotsbury, Portesham, Langton Herring, Fleet, Chickerell, Wyke Regis -
41
Day 41: Weymouth → West Lulworth
19.3 km · 444 m ascent · 5h29–7h44 (about 6h27, incl. ~1h05 of stops)
Via Preston, Sutton Poyntz, Osmington -
42
Day 42: West Lulworth → Worth Matravers
24.7 km · 820 m ascent · 7h35–10h43 (about 8h56, incl. ~1h29 of stops)
Via East Lulworth, Kimmeridge, Kingston -
43
Day 43: Worth Matravers → South Haven Point
21.5 km · 294 m ascent · 5h43–8h04 (about 6h44, incl. ~1h07 of stops)
Via Langton Matravers, Durlston, Swanage, Studland
Solve the practical questions
Plan South West Coast Path with confidence
Route-specific answers from Trailstrider's researched trail data, with the planner ready when you want to turn them into your own trip.