Guidebook to walking the entire South West Coast Path National Trail. The route runs for 630 miles from Minehead to Poole along the north Devon, Cornish, south Devon and Dorset coastline. Divided into 45 stages, this long-distance coastal trek could be completed within 4 weeks, or walked in sections. Guide includes maps and essential information.
Cicerone says:
Britain's longest waymarked trail, the South West Coast Path (SWCP) measures a staggering 630 miles (1015km) from Minehead on the Somerset coast right round Devon and Cornwall to Poole in Dorset. Although the route is long, it should be accessible for any well-prepared backpacker. The weather conditions, which can make clifftop walking dangerous, are an important factor.
This epic route takes in Exmoor National Park, several designated Areas of Outstanding National Beauty and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, numerous Heritage Coasts National and Local Nature Reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Trust holdings. No other stretch of coastline compares for scenic splendour, historical sites and availability of refreshments, accommodation and public transport: this last amenity makes 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. To assist forward planning the guidebook divides the coast path into sections beginning and ending where amenities are available. 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.
For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.
We have used them countless times and they've always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.
If you're a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.
This National Trail may be walked year-round: be aware that winter accommodation availability may be limited, while high summer will be extremely busy and the weather often hot.
Centres
Many centres are passed along the route, including Minehead, Lynmouth, Westward Ho!, Clovelly, Bude, Padstow, Newquay, St Ives, Penzance, Falmouth, Mevagissey, Polperro, Plymouth, Salcombe, Brixham, Portland, Swanage and Poole
Difficulty
The South West Coast path is a long walk! Most paths are easy to moderate, with some walks along rugged and exposed coastal cliff paths and some steep gradients.
Must See
Exmoor National Park; 5 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; the Jurassic Coast Natural World Heritage Site; numerous Heritage Coasts National and Local Nature Reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Trust holdings
Edition: Second
Number of pages: 352
Size: 17.2 x 11.6 x 2.0cm
Weighs 410g
Contents
Introduction Planning your trip Itineraries When to go Travel to the South West Travel around the South West Accommodation en route Facilities en route Baggage transfer services One man and his dog What to take Planning day by day Using this guide Maps and GPS Time and tide Waymarking and paths Rescue services Safety on the Coast Path All about the region Geography Geology Plants and wildlife Culture Coastal walking through history A protected coastline The South West Coast Path Stage 1 Minehead to Porlock Weir Stage 2 Porlock Weir to Lynmouth Stage 3 Lynmouth to Combe Martin Stage 4 Combe Martin to Woolacombe Stage 5 Woolacombe to Braunton Stage 6 Braunton to Westward Ho! Stage 7 Westward Ho! to Clovelly Stage 8 Clovelly to Hartland Quay Stage 9 Hartland Quay to Bude Stage 10 Bude to Boscastle Stage 11 Boscastle to Port Isaac Stage 12 Port Isaac to Padstow Stage 13 Padstow to Porthcothan Stage 14 Porthcothan to Newquay Stage 15 Newquay to Perranporth Stage 16 Perranporth to Portreath Stage 17 Portreath to St Ives Stage 18 St Ives to Pendeen Watch Stage 19 Pendeen Watch to Porthcurno Stage 20 Porthcurno to Penzance Stage 21 Penzance to Porthleven Stage 22 Porthleven to Lizard Point Stage 23 Lizard Point to Porthallow Stage 24 Porthallow to Falmouth Stage 25 Falmouth to Portloe Stage 26 Portloe to Mevagissey Stage 27 Mevagissey to Polmear Stage 28 Polmear to Polperro Stage 29 Polperro to Portwrinkle Stage 30 Portwrinkle to Plymouth Stage 31 Plymouth to Wembury Beach Stage 32 Wembury Beach to Bigbury-on-Sea Stage 33 Bigbury-on-Sea to Salcombe Stage 34 Salcombe to Stoke Fleming Stage 35 Stoke Fleming to Brixham Stage 36 Brixham to Shaldon Stage 37 Shaldon to Budleigh Salterton Stage 38 Budleigh Salterton to Seaton Stage 39 Seaton to Seatown Stage 40 Seatown to Abbotsbury Stage 41 Abbotsbury to Ferrybridge Stage 42 Isle of Portland circuit Stage 43 Ferrybridge to Lulworth Cove Stage 44 Lulworth Cove to Swanage Stage 45 Swanage to South Haven Point South Dorset Ridgeway West Bexington to Osmington Mills
Appendix A Useful contacts Appendix B Facilities along the route Appendix C Topographical glossary
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