Day-by-day trail itinerary
South West Coast Path: 40-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.
Choose your pace
Compare South West Coast Path itineraries
A practical starting point
40 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 → Maenporth
29.3 km · 514 m ascent · 8h01–11h19 (about 9h25, incl. ~1h34 of stops)
Via St. Keverne, Porthoustock, Manaccan, Helford, Porth Navas, Mawnan, Mawnan Smith -
23
Day 23: Maenporth → Veryan
30.5 km · 330 m ascent · 7h53–11h08 (about 9h17, incl. ~1h33 of stops)
Via Budock Water, Falmouth, Flushing, Mylor Churchtown, Halwartha, St. Mawes, Bohortha, Gerrans, Portscatho, Trewithian -
24
Day 24: Veryan → Mevagissey
25.6 km · 841 m ascent · 7h51–11h05 (about 9h14, incl. ~1h32 of stops)
Via Portloe, Gorran Haven, Gorran Churchtown, Portmellon -
25
Day 25: Mevagissey → Fowey
28.3 km · 610 m ascent · 7h58–11h16 (about 9h23, incl. ~1h34 of stops)
Via Pentewan, Charlestown, Par, St Blazey, Tywardreath -
26
Day 26: Fowey → Downderry
27.7 km · 811 m ascent · 8h17–11h41 (about 9h44, incl. ~1h37 of stops)
Via Polruan, Lansallos, Polperro, Porthallow, Talland, Hannafore, Looe, West Looe, East Looe, St Martin, Seaton -
27
Day 27: Downderry → Plymouth
29.9 km · 684 m ascent · 8h32–12h02 (about 10h02, incl. ~1h40 of stops)
Via Crafthole, Sheviock, Antony, St. John, Freathy, Millbrook, Cawsand, Kingsand, Torpoint -
28
Day 28: Plymouth → Newton Ferrers
22.7 km · 294 m ascent · 5h59–8h27 (about 7h02, incl. ~1h10 of stops)
Via Down Thomas, Heybrook Bay, Wembury -
29
Day 29: Newton Ferrers → Thurlestone
27.1 km · 671 m ascent · 7h50–11h04 (about 9h13, incl. ~1h32 of stops)
Via Mothecombe, Kingston, Ringmore, Bigbury-on-Sea, Bigbury -
30
Day 30: Thurlestone → East Prawle
25.8 km · 651 m ascent · 7h29–10h34 (about 8h48, incl. ~1h28 of stops)
Via South Milton, Galmpton, Hope, Malborough, Salcombe, East Portlemouth -
31
Day 31: East Prawle → Dartmouth
27.2 km · 750 m ascent · 8h02–11h20 (about 9h27, incl. ~1h34 of stops)
Via Chivelstone, South Hallsands, North Hallsands, Kellaton, Beesands, Beeson, Torcross, Stokenham, Slapton, Strete, Stoke Fleming -
32
Day 32: Dartmouth → Paignton
26.8 km · 827 m ascent · 8h07–11h27 (about 9h32, incl. ~1h35 of stops)
Via Kingswear, Brixham, Churston Ferrers, Galmpton -
33
Day 33: Paignton → Teignmouth
23.2 km · 817 m ascent · 7h14–10h13 (about 8h31, incl. ~1h25 of stops)
Via Torquay, Stokeinteignhead, Ringmore, Shaldon -
34
Day 34: 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 -
35
Day 35: Budleigh Salterton → Seaton
27.9 km · 1,001 m ascent · 8h44–12h20 (about 10h17, incl. ~1h43 of stops)
Via East Budleigh, Otterton, Sidmouth, Salcombe Regis, Branscombe, Beer -
36
Day 36: Seaton → Eype
27.1 km · 941 m ascent · 8h24–11h52 (about 9h53, incl. ~1h39 of stops)
Via Colyford, Axmouth, Lyme Regis, Uplyme, Wootton Fitzpaine, Charmouth, Morcombelake, North Chideock, Symondsbury -
37
Day 37: Eype → Fleet
26.7 km · 236 m ascent · 6h49–9h38 (about 8h01, incl. ~1h20 of stops)
Via Bridport, Bothenhampton, Shipton Gorge, Burton Bradstock, Swyre, Puncknowle, West Bexington, Abbotsbury, Portesham, Langton Herring -
38
Day 38: Fleet → West Lulworth
30.6 km · 521 m ascent · 8h19–11h44 (about 9h47, incl. ~1h38 of stops)
Via Wyke Regis, Weymouth, Preston, Sutton Poyntz, Osmington -
39
Day 39: West Lulworth → Worth Matravers
24.7 km · 820 m ascent · 7h35–10h43 (about 8h56, incl. ~1h29 of stops)
Via East Lulworth, Kimmeridge, Kingston -
40
Day 40: 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.