Day-by-day trail itinerary
South West Coast Path: 46-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
46 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 → Treyarnon
18.3 km · 207 m ascent · 4h46–6h43 (about 5h36, incl. ~56m of stops)
Via Trevone, St. Merryn, Harlyn, Constantine Bay -
14
Day 14: Treyarnon → Newquay
21.0 km · 604 m ascent · 6h14–8h49 (about 7h20, incl. ~1h13 of stops)
Via Penrose, Trenance, Mawgan Porth, Trevarrian, Tregurrian, St. Columb Minor, Porth -
15
Day 15: Newquay → Perranporth
22.3 km · 347 m ascent · 6h01–8h30 (about 7h05, incl. ~1h11 of stops)
Via Crantock, Holywell, Cubert -
16
Day 16: Perranporth → Portreath
19.6 km · 576 m ascent · 5h52–8h16 (about 6h53, incl. ~1h09 of stops)
Via Perrancoombe, Trevellas Downs, Mithian, Goonbell, St. Agnes, Mount Hawke, Porthtowan -
17
Day 17: 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 -
18
Day 18: St Ives → Boscaswell
23.6 km · 790 m ascent · 7h15–10h14 (about 8h32, incl. ~1h25 of stops)
Via Zennor, Porthmeor, Morvah, Bojewyan, Pendeen -
19
Day 19: Boscaswell → Porthcurno
23.7 km · 560 m ascent · 6h48–9h35 (about 7h59, incl. ~1h20 of stops)
Via Bosavern, St Just, Mayon, Sennen, Sennen Cove -
20
Day 20: Porthcurno → Penzance
18.2 km · 357 m ascent · 5h05–7h10 (about 5h58, incl. ~1h of stops)
Via Treen, Lamorna, Mousehole, Paul, Tredavoe, Newlyn -
21
Day 21: Penzance → Porthleven
22.5 km · 428 m ascent · 6h13–8h47 (about 7h19, incl. ~1h13 of stops)
Via Heamoor, Gulval, Longrock, Ludgvan, Crowlas, Marazion, Perranuthnoe, Goldsithney, St. Hilary, Rosudgeon, Germoe, Praa Sands, Ashton, Breage -
22
Day 22: Porthleven → Lizard
23.7 km · 521 m ascent · 6h41–9h26 (about 7h52, incl. ~1h19 of stops)
Via Mullion -
23
Day 23: Lizard → Coverack
15.9 km · 369 m ascent · 4h34–6h27 (about 5h22, incl. ~54m of stops)
Via St. Ruan, Cadgwith, Ruan Minor, Kuggar -
24
Day 24: Coverack → Helford
21.0 km · 376 m ascent · 5h45–8h07 (about 6h46, incl. ~1h08 of stops)
Via St. Keverne, Porthoustock, Manaccan -
25
Day 25: 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 -
26
Day 26: St. Mawes → Portloe
22.9 km · 460 m ascent · 6h23–9h01 (about 7h30, incl. ~1h15 of stops)
Via Bohortha, Gerrans, Portscatho, Trewithian, Veryan -
27
Day 27: Portloe → Pentewan
23.2 km · 700 m ascent · 6h59–9h52 (about 8h13, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Gorran Haven, Gorran Churchtown, Portmellon, Mevagissey -
28
Day 28: Pentewan → Fowey
24.7 km · 515 m ascent · 6h55–9h46 (about 8h08, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Charlestown, Par, St Blazey, Tywardreath -
29
Day 29: Fowey → Looe
19.4 km · 590 m ascent · 5h52–8h16 (about 6h53, incl. ~1h09 of stops)
Via Polruan, Lansallos, Polperro, Porthallow, Talland, Hannafore -
30
Day 30: Looe → Freathy
19.0 km · 557 m ascent · 5h39–7h59 (about 6h39, incl. ~1h07 of stops)
Via East Looe, St Martin, Seaton, Downderry, Crafthole, Sheviock, Antony -
31
Day 31: Freathy → Plymouth
19.2 km · 348 m ascent · 5h18–7h29 (about 6h14, incl. ~1h02 of stops)
Via Millbrook, Cawsand, Kingsand, Torpoint -
32
Day 32: Plymouth → Newton Ferrers
22.7 km · 294 m ascent · 5h59–8h27 (about 7h02, incl. ~1h10 of stops)
Via Down Thomas, Heybrook Bay, Wembury -
33
Day 33: Newton Ferrers → Bigbury-on-Sea
22.1 km · 560 m ascent · 6h25–9h03 (about 7h32, incl. ~1h16 of stops)
Via Mothecombe, Kingston, Ringmore -
34
Day 34: 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 -
35
Day 35: 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 -
36
Day 36: 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 -
37
Day 37: Kingswear → Paignton
26.4 km · 827 m ascent · 8h01–11h19 (about 9h26, incl. ~1h34 of stops)
Via Brixham, Churston Ferrers, Galmpton -
38
Day 38: Paignton → Teignmouth
23.2 km · 817 m ascent · 7h14–10h13 (about 8h31, incl. ~1h25 of stops)
Via Torquay, Stokeinteignhead, Ringmore, Shaldon -
39
Day 39: 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 -
40
Day 40: Budleigh Salterton → Branscombe
21.7 km · 803 m ascent · 6h47–9h35 (about 7h59, incl. ~1h20 of stops)
Via East Budleigh, Otterton, Sidmouth, Salcombe Regis -
41
Day 41: Branscombe → Charmouth
23.2 km · 724 m ascent · 7h04–9h58 (about 8h19, incl. ~1h23 of stops)
Via Beer, Seaton, Colyford, Axmouth, Lyme Regis, Uplyme -
42
Day 42: 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 -
43
Day 43: 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 -
44
Day 44: Weymouth → West Lulworth
19.3 km · 444 m ascent · 5h29–7h44 (about 6h27, incl. ~1h05 of stops)
Via Preston, Sutton Poyntz, Osmington -
45
Day 45: West Lulworth → Worth Matravers
24.7 km · 820 m ascent · 7h35–10h43 (about 8h56, incl. ~1h29 of stops)
Via East Lulworth, Kimmeridge, Kingston -
46
Day 46: 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.