South West Coast Path
At over 630 miles long, this popular National Trail in the south-west of England is the most arduous National Trail of them all, capping even the Pennine Way for distance covered and total climbing required. A monster of a challenge. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
The Lion in Kynance Bay on the South West Coast Path
Statistics and Files
Finish: Poole, Dorset
Distance: 630 miles (1,014 km)
Time: 250–300 hours
Duration: 7–8 weeks
Summary & Route Overview
At 630 miles long running from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset, the South West Coast Path is easily the longest and most arduous of England’s National Trails. The path is actually the amalgamation of four historic paths: the Somerset and North Devon, Cornwall, South Devon, and Dorset Coastal Paths.
The route is very popular and can be crowded in the summer months, though there are always long stretches where your only company will be a chorus of sea birds. The trail can be windy—the prevailing wind is from the southwest—and numerous river estuaries along the way require ferry crossings. This means that a good guidebook with tide and ferry timetables is essential equipment for walkers. The path is best enjoyed in May when wildflowers are in full bloom. In peak summer, it is busy in popular locations and finding accommodation can require early booking.
South West Coast Path Directory & Planning
General Information and Planning
• National Trails of Great Britain: Comprehensive site providing details on the route, accommodation guides, booking service providers, and required maps.
• Encounter Walking Holidays: Comprehensive cover of the full 630 miles of the South West Coast Path as well as other long-distance paths in the south-west.
• SWCP Association: A registered charity that cares for the route. Useful for recent news.
Guided Walking
• West Cornwall Walks: Self-led walking holidays along the West Cornwall coast path (Padstow to Falmouth, concentrating on the Lands End Peninsula) and guided walks around ancient monuments.
Accommodation and Baggage Transfer
• Budget Walking: Self-guided coastal walking holidays along the South West Coast Path with tailored itineraries, kit transfers, maps, and guidebooks.
• Luggage Transfers: Low-cost baggage transfer service covering the entire 630 miles from Minehead to Poole.
• Nearwater Walking Holidays: Based in St Mawes, Cornwall, providing self-guided walking holidays including luggage transfer and accommodation.
• Absolute Escapes: Self-guided walking packages including accommodation and baggage transfer.
• Contours: Full self-guided service for the South West Coast Path.
• Celtic Trails: Full self-guided walkers service.
• Lightfoot: Self-guided service for the Cornwall section of the walk.
• S H Systems: Excellent range of accommodation searchable by location, price, rating, or postcode.
• Independent Hostels Guide: Independent hostels and bunkhouses on and near the route.
Personal Journals and Walk Reports
• John Butler: Detailed walk journal with planning advice.
• Henk Nous: Journal with photographs and advice.
• Will Wallis: Pictured report of the Cornwall section.
• John Harlow: Journal covering the first 250 miles.
• Sally Jordan: Trail reflection and personal experiences.
Safety Advice and Emergency Services
• Ramblers Association: Practical walking safety advice, map reading guides, and essential gear lists.
• Mountain Rescue UK: Emergency services and safety guidelines.
Feedback and Suggestions
I am always pleased to receive feedback on the structure and content of the website. I also welcome suggestions on how I can improve the site, which may include new areas to cover, new walks, or route alterations. Please get in touch via social media. Thank you.
(Note: Walking without proper preparation can be dangerous. Information and downloads on this website are provided free of charge; it is each walker’s responsibility to check the material and use accordingly. Postscript: My walk reports are personal reflections and should not be treated as official route guides.)