Walk The Trail

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Route: From Plymouth to Brixham

Overview

Your journey begins in Plymouth, the capital and historic hub of maritime Devon with links to the Pilgrim Fathers and many famous names such as Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, Captain Cook and Charles Darwin.

Moving onwards, there awaits 73 miles of some of the most gorgeous coastline just waiting to be discovered. With rough dramatic cliff tops and sheltered beaches giving way to lush open fields and sheltered woodland, much of it being the most isolated and rugged part of the south Devon coast and home to many species of wildlife and bird-life, this walk will appeal to many, incorporating glimpses into maritime history, spectacular scenery and an unspoilt tranquillity and rustic charm that this section of the South Devon coast has to offer.

- Wembury is a wildlife magnet; Its soaring cliffs are home to nesting sea birds, while a rocky shore, slate reefs and massive wave-cut rock platforms provide one of the UK's best spots for marine plants and animals.

- Bigbury; one of the focal points is Burgh Island, home to the famous hotel, an art deco building that has been visited by many notable figures such as Edward and Mrs Simpson, Churchill and The Beatles.

- On leaving Bigbury, you will cross the River Avon and continue along a coastline of lower cliffs and sandy beaches with many spectacular views, often described as one of the most beautiful sections on the South West Coast Path.

- Torcross, on the southern end of Slapton Sands is well known as the beach where many lives were lost during rehearsals for the D-Day landings in 1944 and nearby, is Slapton Ley Nature Reserve, a freshwater lake separated from the sea by the Ley.

Then to Dartmouth, which is nestled in a valley on the River Dart, steeped in Naval History, with her ancient narrow streets housing boutique shops, art galleries & delicatessens.

Finally, arrive in the busy fishing town of Brixham, where life is centred on the steep sided harbour, home to one of the biggest fishing fleets in England where you may relax in one of the many restaurants or pubs prior to your journey home.

This walk has it all; wide sea views, magnificent cliff paths and golden beaches, pebble and shingle coastal bars, ancient woodlands, rich salt marsh and high level floral pastures; villages lost in time along with trendy yachting retreats, ancient harbours and surreal offshore islands, a real pastiche of experiences.

Walk the Trail offers 2 itineraries along this route to cater for all levels of walker. If, you feel that you'd like something different, just ask.

INCLUDED

All our holiday packages include:

Overnight accommodation staying at carefully selected B&Bs, Inns and Hotels
A detailed holiday pack
Luggage transfers
Transport from path to accommodations if necessary
Maps
Guidebook
Emergency support.

NOT INCLUDED

Our holiday packages do not include:

Transport to and from the start and end of the holiday, unless stated. We can help you with your options.
Packed Lunches and Evening Meals
Travel Insurance

ROUTE PROFILE

Recommended dates to walk this route

This walk can be done all year round but the weather in the winter months may make the walk a little more difficult.

There are several rivers to cross on this section of the Coast Path, some of which require a ferry journey. These companies operate on a seasonal basis, generally starting at Easter and finishing in September or October. However, outside these dates the walks are still possible by using local taxis to circumnavigate the rivers.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Itinerary & Costs

For those new to walking or those just wishing to ‘stroll and explore’, with a daily mileage of 9 miles (14km) this Plymouth to Brixham itinerary is perfect.

With world class trail walking, this journey of panoramic sea views, magnificent cliff paths and golden beaches, shingle coastal bars and ancient woodlands will appeal to all. The unspoilt tranquility and rugged charm that this section of the South West Coast Path has to offer cannot fail to impress.

Itinerary: Number in group:

The Daily Itinerary

Click on a day for further information.

Day 1: Arrive

Plymouth

- Day 2:

Plymouth (The Hoe) to Warren Point Cross Roads (via Warren Point)

Distance: 14 miles Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Due to a lack of accommodation in this area, today's walk involves walking to the Yealm Estuary, then back towards Wembury for a taxi transfer to accommodation inland.

- Day 3:

Noss Mayo to Bigbury On Sea (Avon Estuary and back)

Distance: 16 miles Difficulty: Moderate

This morning, you will be returned to the East side of the River Yealm to continue your walk. Approximately 10 miles into today's walk you will need to cross the River Erme. This is tide dependent. If you wish to ensure you can cross the river on foot, please contact us prior to booking to discuss.

Due to a lack of accommodation in Bigbury, a transfer will be provided to accommodation inland.

- Day 4:

Bantham to Hope Cove

Distance: 4 miles Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

This morning, you will be returned to the East side of the River Avon to continue your walk.

Day 5:

Hope Cove to Salcombe

Distance: 8 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

- Day 6:

Salcombe to Hallsands

Distance: 10.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Crossing Kingsbridge Estuary by ferry.
Due to a lack of accommodation in Hallsands, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

- Day 7:

Hallsands to Strete

Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Due to a lack of accommodation in Strete, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

Day 8:

Strete to Dartmouth

Distance: 6.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

Day 9:

Dartmouth to Brixham

Distance: 11 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Easy

Day 10: Depart

Brixham

What's Included

Accommodation for the length of your holiday including the night before you start walking and the evening after your final day's walking in good quality B&Bs, Inns and small hotels. This will be en-suite wherever possible.
Breakfast - This may be a full cooked or continental option depending on accommodation. Evening meals can be arranged with certain accommodations for an additional charge.
A Personalised Holiday Pack containing maps and addresses for accommodations, pick up points and daily mileage information.
Luggage transfers between each accommodation. 1 bag per person up to 20 kilograms. Additional bags can be added upon request.
If you are crossing a river using a ferry or on foot at low tide then we will provide you with the relevant information to assist.
Phone line support between the hours of 0900-1900, 7 days a week for the length of your holiday.
If required, path to accommodation or round river transfers.

Optional Extras

The following items are optional and can be removed to reduce the cost of your holiday.

A comprehensive guide book for the area in which you are walking. This will detail important information about each town and village you visit.
Map(s) for the area you are walking, specifically designed for walkers.
Your holiday pack posted to your home address. Unticking this box, indicates that you would prefer to print the pack yourself.

Not Quite Right?
Try our Tailor Made Service here »

Important Information

There are several rivers to cross on this section of the Coast Path, some of which require a ferry journey. These companies operate on a seasonal basis generally starting at Easter and finishing in September or October. However, outside these dates the walks are still possible by using local taxis to circumnavigate the rivers.

Reviews

Liz and John from Surrey

I wanted to write and say what a fantastic time we've had. The accommodation you booked for us has on the whole been amazing and you've been very helpful with any problems we've had. Overall it has been a great holiday and we are thinking about booking up with you again next year to walk another section of the coast. Thanks again

Jan & Liv from Norway

The whole trip was a tremendous success! All the arrangements you had made were absolutely and fully satisfactory, and all the B&B's were at the very high end of the scale. We added two more days in the Charity House in Dartmouth just to relax and some sightseeing. The SWCP is a wonder for the walking tourist. Even though the sun was endlessly pouring and with very high temperatures, there was always a nice soothing easterly breeze from the sea that made it all perfect, and not to forget the possibility of taking a dip in the ocean along the way. We shall hopefully be back in 2015 to make a similar trip, if not before. And we'll chose your company as our travel partner also next time! I apologize for the lack of patience before the trip started. Travelling with a child increases the measure of organisation and planning -and thus the level of anxiousness. But Liv, 14 turned out to be a fabulous walker with a strong will - a boost for her confidence!

Vanda, Shefield

Thank you all at Walk the Trail for organising our week. My sister and I had a superb time and stayed in some wonderful B&B's on the way. We're both very keen to do MORE! Perhaps some time next year? Thanks you for your care and support.

Cheryl from Vermont, USA

I'm home from my trip and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it! It was wonderful to have the elves take my luggage every day and to have it show up at the next place. It was a fairly rainy week but the scenery was magnificent and I truly enjoyed the walking. Thank you for all your arrangements --- people at the B&B's were all friendly and kind. I'll go back again someday! Thank you all!

Kate from Canada

I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful two-and-a-half weeks. All of the bed and breakfasts I stayed in were friendly, comfortable and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Every day when I arrived my bag was there, like a faithful dog. All in all an excellent trip. As an aside, I would also like to say that, as a female walking alone on the SWCP I had no problems at all and always felt perfectly safe.

Kathleen from Germany

It was an unique, fantastic and unforgettable experience with hurting feet and legs in the beginning and total fitness in the end ;-). I met interesting people and saw great landscapes. I experienced the coldest spring after over 60 years but with the right clothes - everything was under control ;-). I`d like to make you a compliment for your organization, fast answers and friendliness! The luggage transfer worked really well. Almost all B&B were lovely and the people very friendly.

Julia from Germany

We are back home from our walking holiday, what a marvellous experience! Thank you for your great organisation, everything worked without any problems. It was great to arrive at the accommodation and find our luggage already there, often even in our room. All the best, we will definitely be recommending your business!

Julie from Australia

We are now home from our travels and have had time to reflect. What a fabulous holiday. Thank you very much for planning our South West coast walk. It all went very well, the B&Bs were superb, we have no complaints at all. Thanks for organising a memorable walk.

Joan from Australia

Would recommend your organisation to anyone, and will do so. Can't thank you enough for a trouble free adventure.

Roland & Andrea

Thank you very much for our perfectly organised walking holiday. Our baggage was always there when we arrived and all the accommodations were great.

Sasha From Cornwall

Jess (my dog) and I are back after the most wonderful experience! Thank-you all for making it so wonderful, all the B&Bs were comfortable and welcoming and all were brilliant. All in all it was brilliant and very dog friendly. Thank you again and the very best luck for the future with your wonderful company.

Carleen

There is no doubt I loved the walk, arduous at times, but wonderful scenery and always very friendly people. Certainly, I will recommend your company, especially for the convenience and your professionalism (good documents etc.). Cheers.

Gillian from Leeds

Thank you for organising such a wonderful trip for us. It was a wonderful success, we loved it all! All the accommodation was lovely. I can also safely say that all the food was great that week. We think the Jurassic Coast might be a possibility for next year!

Phill from Coventry

I've finished the walk - damp but in great spirits! The whole route was excellent. I didn't meet the transfers people but reports from the B&B owners suggest they were all prompt and friendly. Overall I/we had a fabulous time - thanks.

Stephen from Lancashire

Thanks for organising our holiday it went really well. Our luggage transfers worked perfectly, and the location maps you provided for finding the accommodations were very useful.

Phil Maude

The trip was well organised and although the days were long it was an enjoyable trip

Stephan Wehrli

Unterkünfte top,alle gebuchten leistungen lückenlos erfüllt. Auch nächstes mal mit walk the trail.

Trusted Customer

Excellent service | Always friendly and cheerful, no queries too big or too small, very knowledgeable. Always on hand and would highly recommend their services.

Mats Andersson

Toppen arrangör! | Bra bemötande och allt förlöpte utan problem

Bill Beddows

Once again,very professional, helpful

Gordon Rhodes

Provided excellent walkers pack containing everything needed.

Trusted Customer

Brilliant | Everything about the trip went smoothly. I think a couple of stand outs were their help before the trip with how to most easily get down to Plymouth. Also their web site is spectacular. I had printed copies of all my maps and accomodations but it was also on-line under my personal trip. 24 hours home and already wanting to schedule another trip with them.

Kevin Harris

Excellent customer service | We had a question about taxis one evening. Having placed a call, Mike was very quick to respond and resolve.

Phil FillisPerthWA

Well organised and excellent accommodation. | Organised my previous walk with all bookings right along the trail and excellent accommodation. I am using their service again. Good accommodation in good locations and allowance made for alternatives should ferries not be available for river crossings.

David Jones, UK

Entirely satisfied with the service provided, and good value for money. | Excellent personal assistance and information packs. Have used WtT in the past, and will without hesitation use them for the next stretch of the SWCP

Sue Cackett

good friendly efficient service | Excellent friendly service from the first phone enquiry through to the holiday itself and accommodating a few changes we requested such as our own accommodation on one night and finishing a day later than on their itinerary.

Barbara CLondon

Brilliant | This is the third time I have used Walk the Trail and I couldn't recommend them more. Very helpful in all aspects of organising my walk and understanding my needs.

Trusted Customer

Friendly staff. Quick responses to queries.

Trusted Customer

They could not have been more helpful. The trip was originally arranged for a time when we were still in lockdown. WTT rearranged the trip for us - nothing was too much trouble, despite the fact some of their original accommodation partners were not open/not taking booking for our group of 10 guests I would definitely use them again and would highly recommend them to others. I have used other organisations in the past and these certainly rate amongst the best

Timothy Meyers

So far, their response time is great. They heard what I wanted. They provided just enough of humor along with the service. Nice options for things I did not know I wanted.