Walking the South West Coast Path

Experience the beauty of the South West Coast Path, a 1022km (635-mile) National Trail from Minehead to South Haven Point, offering unmatched coastal scenery. Stretching across Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, including the Exmoor National Park and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, this epic long-distance walking trail can be completed in roughly four weeks or tackled in sections. This guidebook transforms planning into a straightforward process, with 45 clearly defined stages between 12 and 38km (7.5–24 miles) and expert guidance on every aspect of the route. An optional diversion onto the 17-mile South Dorset Ridgeway from West Bexington to Osmington Mills provides a scenic shortcut, shaving 42 miles off the full distance for those short on time. For every stage, the guidebook provides detailed route descriptions, 1:50,000 OS mapping and elevation profiles so you're aware of what the coastal path has in store next Practical essentials are woven throughout, with comprehensive accommodation listings covering B&Bs, campsites, and hostels in towns and villages along the route, like St Ives, Falmouth, Plymouth, and Lyme Regis Public transport options are clearly presented to allow you to break each stage into manageable chunks, ideal for section hikers to plan their journey You'll find expert advice on baggage transfer services, when to go (spring and autumn are ideal) and what to pack, as well as considerations specific to coastal walking, such as tide awareness and rescue services Downloadable GPX files offer a digital alternative for navigating along the coast, suitable for use on your smartphone or GPS devices Whether you are walking the entire path or exploring it in sections, this guidebook offers all the tools you need to plan your walking holiday with confidence. Immerse yourself in the freedom and beauty of England’s southwest coast, where every stage brings breathtaking views, historic sites, and unforgettable walking experiences. Three separate OS map booklets covering Minehead-St Ives, St Ives-Plymouth and Plymouth-Poole are also available to purchase, creating the ultimate navigation package for this world-class coastal trail.

Experience the beauty of the South West Coast Path, a 1022km (635-mile) National Trail from Minehead to South Haven Point, offering unmatched coastal scenery. Stretching across Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, including the Exmoor National Park and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, this epic long-distance walking trail can be completed in roughly four weeks or tackled in sections. This guidebook transforms planning into a straightforward process, with 45 clearly defined stages between 12 and 38km (7.5–24 miles) and expert guidance on every aspect of the route. An optional diversion onto the 17-mile South Dorset Ridgeway from West Bexington to Osmington Mills provides a scenic shortcut, shaving 42 miles off the full distance for those short on time. For every stage, the guidebook provides detailed route descriptions, 1:50,000 OS mapping and elevation profiles so you're aware of what the coastal path has in store next Practical essentials are woven throughout, with comprehensive accommodation listings covering B&Bs, campsites, and hostels in towns and villages along the route, like St Ives, Falmouth, Plymouth, and Lyme Regis Public transport options are clearly presented to allow you to break each stage into manageable chunks, ideal for section hikers to plan their journey You'll find expert advice on baggage transfer services, when to go (spring and autumn are ideal) and what to pack, as well as considerations specific to coastal walking, such as tide awareness and rescue services Downloadable GPX files offer a digital alternative for navigating along the coast, suitable for use on your smartphone or GPS devices Whether you are walking the entire path or exploring it in sections, this guidebook offers all the tools you need to plan your walking holiday with confidence. Immerse yourself in the freedom and beauty of England’s southwest coast, where every stage brings breathtaking views, historic sites, and unforgettable walking experiences. Three separate OS map booklets covering Minehead-St Ives, St Ives-Plymouth and Plymouth-Poole are also available to purchase, creating the ultimate navigation package for this world-class coastal trail.

The South West Coast Path (SWCP) is Britain's longest waymarked trail, measuring a staggering 630 miles (1015km), from Minehead on the Somerset coast right round Devon and Cornwall and back to Poole harbour in Dorset. Although the route is long, it is described step-by-step here and should be accessible for any well-prepared backpacker, with days varying from fairly easy to difficult and always dependent on the weather conditions, which can make clifftop walking dangerous.This epic route takes in Exmoor National Park, several designated Areas of Outstanding National Beauty and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. No other stretch of coastline compares for scenic splendour, historical sites, and availability of refreshments, accommodation, and public transport, making it easy to split the SWCP into week or weekend-long sections. Written by prolific outdoor writer Paddy Dillon, this guide provides a wealth of detailed knowledge to help tackle this immense route with confidence, with lots of information for planning a trek, including public transport links, accommodation, and facilities along the way. Also described is the 17-mile South Dorset Ridgeway, from West Bexington to Osmington Mills, which can be used as a scenic way to shave 42 miles off the total distance.

The South West Coast Path (SWCP) is Britain's longest waymarked trail, measuring a staggering 630 miles (1015km), from Minehead on the Somerset coast right round Devon and Cornwall and back to Poole harbour in Dorset. Although the route is long, it is described step-by-step here and should be accessible for any well-prepared backpacker, with days varying from fairly easy to difficult and always dependent on the weather conditions, which can make clifftop walking dangerous.This epic route takes in Exmoor National Park, several designated Areas of Outstanding National Beauty and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. No other stretch of coastline compares for scenic splendour, historical sites, and availability of refreshments, accommodation, and public transport, making it easy to split the SWCP into week or weekend-long sections. Written by prolific outdoor writer Paddy Dillon, this guide provides a wealth of detailed knowledge to help tackle this immense route with confidence, with lots of information for planning a trek, including public transport links, accommodation, and facilities along the way. Also described is the 17-mile South Dorset Ridgeway, from West Bexington to Osmington Mills, which can be used as a scenic way to shave 42 miles off the total distance.