Day-by-day trail itinerary
South West Coast Path: 49-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
49 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 → Lee
14.2 km · 638 m ascent · 4h42–6h38 (about 5h32, incl. ~55m of stops)
Via Berrynarbor, Ilfracombe -
5
Day 5: Lee → Croyde
17.8 km · 414 m ascent · 5h07–7h13 (about 6h01, incl. ~1h of stops)
Via Mortehoe, Woolacombe, Georgeham -
6
Day 6: Croyde → Barnstaple
22.1 km · 84 m ascent · 5h23–7h37 (about 6h20, incl. ~1h04 of stops)
Via Saunton, Braunton, Chivenor, Heanton Punchardon, Ashford -
7
Day 7: Barnstaple → Westward Ho!
28.5 km · 86 m ascent · 6h54–9h44 (about 8h07, incl. ~1h21 of stops)
Via Bickington, Fremington, Yelland, Instow, Westleigh, Bideford, Northam, Appledore -
8
Day 8: Westward Ho! → Clovelly
18.3 km · 718 m ascent · 5h48–8h11 (about 6h49, incl. ~1h08 of stops)
Via Abbotsham, Bucks Mills, Cranford, Woolfardisworthy -
9
Day 9: Clovelly → Milford
18.6 km · 586 m ascent · 5h41–8h01 (about 6h41, incl. ~1h07 of stops)
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10
Day 10: Milford → Bude
22.7 km · 901 m ascent · 7h20–10h20 (about 8h37, incl. ~1h26 of stops)
Via Welcombe, Morwenstow, Flexbury -
11
Day 11: Bude → Crackington Haven
16.5 km · 588 m ascent · 5h09–7h16 (about 6h04, incl. ~1h01 of stops)
Via Marhamchurch, Widemouth Bay, Poundstock -
12
Day 12: Crackington Haven → Tintagel
18.7 km · 807 m ascent · 6h08–8h39 (about 7h13, incl. ~1h12 of stops)
Via Boscastle -
13
Day 13: Tintagel → Port Isaac
13.8 km · 629 m ascent · 4h38–6h32 (about 5h27, incl. ~55m of stops)
Via Treknow, Trebarwith Strand, Delabole, Treligga -
14
Day 14: 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 -
15
Day 15: Padstow → Treyarnon
18.3 km · 207 m ascent · 4h46–6h43 (about 5h36, incl. ~56m of stops)
Via Trevone, St. Merryn, Harlyn, Constantine Bay -
16
Day 16: 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 -
17
Day 17: Newquay → Perranporth
22.3 km · 347 m ascent · 6h01–8h30 (about 7h05, incl. ~1h11 of stops)
Via Crantock, Holywell, Cubert -
18
Day 18: 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 -
19
Day 19: 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 -
20
Day 20: St Ives → Boscaswell
23.6 km · 790 m ascent · 7h15–10h14 (about 8h32, incl. ~1h25 of stops)
Via Zennor, Porthmeor, Morvah, Bojewyan, Pendeen -
21
Day 21: Boscaswell → Porthcurno
23.7 km · 560 m ascent · 6h48–9h35 (about 7h59, incl. ~1h20 of stops)
Via Bosavern, St Just, Mayon, Sennen, Sennen Cove -
22
Day 22: Porthcurno → Penzance
18.2 km · 357 m ascent · 5h05–7h10 (about 5h58, incl. ~1h of stops)
Via Treen, Lamorna, Mousehole, Paul, Tredavoe, Newlyn -
23
Day 23: 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 -
24
Day 24: Porthleven → Lizard
23.7 km · 521 m ascent · 6h41–9h26 (about 7h52, incl. ~1h19 of stops)
Via Mullion -
25
Day 25: Lizard → Coverack
15.9 km · 369 m ascent · 4h34–6h27 (about 5h22, incl. ~54m of stops)
Via St. Ruan, Cadgwith, Ruan Minor, Kuggar -
26
Day 26: Coverack → Helford
21.0 km · 376 m ascent · 5h45–8h07 (about 6h46, incl. ~1h08 of stops)
Via St. Keverne, Porthoustock, Manaccan -
27
Day 27: 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 -
28
Day 28: St. Mawes → Portloe
22.9 km · 460 m ascent · 6h23–9h01 (about 7h30, incl. ~1h15 of stops)
Via Bohortha, Gerrans, Portscatho, Trewithian, Veryan -
29
Day 29: Portloe → Pentewan
23.2 km · 700 m ascent · 6h59–9h52 (about 8h13, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Gorran Haven, Gorran Churchtown, Portmellon, Mevagissey -
30
Day 30: Pentewan → Fowey
24.7 km · 515 m ascent · 6h55–9h46 (about 8h08, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Charlestown, Par, St Blazey, Tywardreath -
31
Day 31: Fowey → Looe
19.4 km · 590 m ascent · 5h52–8h16 (about 6h53, incl. ~1h09 of stops)
Via Polruan, Lansallos, Polperro, Porthallow, Talland, Hannafore -
32
Day 32: 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 -
33
Day 33: Freathy → Plymouth
19.2 km · 348 m ascent · 5h18–7h29 (about 6h14, incl. ~1h02 of stops)
Via Millbrook, Cawsand, Kingsand, Torpoint -
34
Day 34: Plymouth → Newton Ferrers
22.7 km · 294 m ascent · 5h59–8h27 (about 7h02, incl. ~1h10 of stops)
Via Down Thomas, Heybrook Bay, Wembury -
35
Day 35: Newton Ferrers → Bigbury-on-Sea
22.1 km · 560 m ascent · 6h25–9h03 (about 7h32, incl. ~1h16 of stops)
Via Mothecombe, Kingston, Ringmore -
36
Day 36: 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 -
37
Day 37: 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 -
38
Day 38: Beesands → Dartmouth
17.9 km · 516 m ascent · 5h20–7h31 (about 6h16, incl. ~1h02 of stops)
Via Beeson, Torcross, Stokenham, Slapton, Strete, Stoke Fleming -
39
Day 39: Dartmouth → Brixham
17.7 km · 698 m ascent · 5h41–8h02 (about 6h41, incl. ~1h07 of stops)
Via Kingswear -
40
Day 40: Brixham → Maidencombe
26.1 km · 685 m ascent · 7h37–10h44 (about 8h57, incl. ~1h29 of stops)
Via Churston Ferrers, Galmpton, Paignton, Torquay -
41
Day 41: Maidencombe → Exmouth
21.9 km · 390 m ascent · 6h01–8h30 (about 7h05, incl. ~1h11 of stops)
Via Stokeinteignhead, Ringmore, Shaldon, Teignmouth, Holcombe, Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Cockwood, Starcross, Kenton -
42
Day 42: Exmouth → Sidmouth
20.4 km · 531 m ascent · 5h57–8h25 (about 7h, incl. ~1h10 of stops)
Via Knowle, Budleigh Salterton, East Budleigh, Otterton -
43
Day 43: Sidmouth → Seaton
16.0 km · 645 m ascent · 5h10–7h17 (about 6h04, incl. ~1h01 of stops)
Via Salcombe Regis, Branscombe, Beer -
44
Day 44: Seaton → Charmouth
17.0 km · 526 m ascent · 5h07–7h13 (about 6h01, incl. ~1h of stops)
Via Colyford, Axmouth, Lyme Regis, Uplyme -
45
Day 45: 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 -
46
Day 46: 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 -
47
Day 47: Weymouth → West Lulworth
19.3 km · 444 m ascent · 5h29–7h44 (about 6h27, incl. ~1h05 of stops)
Via Preston, Sutton Poyntz, Osmington -
48
Day 48: West Lulworth → Worth Matravers
24.7 km · 820 m ascent · 7h35–10h43 (about 8h56, incl. ~1h29 of stops)
Via East Lulworth, Kimmeridge, Kingston -
49
Day 49: 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.