Walk The Trail

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Route: From Westward Ho! to Padstow

Overview

Westward Ho! is a seaside village near Bideford in North Devon. Known for its surfing seas and sandy beach this makes for a relatively easy start for your walk, however, most of the walk is described as moderate to strenuous, and the stretch between Hartland Quay and Bude is said to be the toughest part of the whole South West Coast Path.

There are though, some stunning views and good photo opportunities as you walk past the pretty fishing village of Clovelly, the dramatic cliff tops at Hartland Quay and onto Bude with it's glorious beaches. Then to Boscastle and onwards to the home of King Arthur at Tintagel, with plenty of rugged cliffs. Next is Port Isaac, a picturesque fishing village nestling in a sheltered cove and the walk ends with an easier section into Padstow.

A challenging journey but with many rewards as you traverse through beautiful scenery steeped with myth and legend.

Walk the Trail offers 3 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.

The ferry at Rock only operates between March and October, however outside these dates a taxi or bus journey is possible to travel around the River Camel to avoid this issue.

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

Itinerary & Costs

For those who like a challenge whilst walking, this itinerary has an average daily distance of 13 miles, but with daily distances up to 17 miles.

The Westward Ho! to Padstow section of the South West Coast Path is a journey of contrasts from the sandy beaches in the early stages, to a stunning but strenuous stretch between Hartland Quay and Bude. However, this popular itinerary will still allow you time to soak up this rewarding and exhilarating journey. Pass by the rugged imposing remains of King Arthurs legendary cliff-top Castle at Tintagel and un-spoilt fishing villages such as Port Isaac and Boscastle as you make your way to your journeys end at the bustling fishing port of Padstow.

Itinerary: Number in group:

The Daily Itinerary

Click on a day for further information.

Day 1: Arrive

Westward Ho!

- Day 2:

Westward Ho! to Clovelly

Distance: 11.5 miles Difficulty: Easy/Strenuous

IMPORTANT - Clovelly is a private village, so there are some access restrictions around luggage delivery. Please ask prior to booking for further information.

Day 3:

Clovelly to Hartland Quay

Distance: 10 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

Day 4:

Hartland Quay to Bude

Distance: 15 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

Day 5:

Bude to Boscastle

Distance: 17 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

Day 6:

Boscastle to Port Isaac

Distance: 13.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

- Day 7:

Port Isaac to Padstow

Distance: 12 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

The last 0.5 miles of today's distance is using the ferry between Rock and Padstow. Tide height will determine where in Padstow the ferry docks. Whilst the ferry operates all day, the last ferry depends on the time of year.

Day 8: Depart

Padstow

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.
We now offer all our routes on the AllTrails App. Use one of the most popular route apps for turn by turn voice navigation, the ability to use offline, and sync with Garmin and Wahoo products.

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

Reviews

Steve & Party from Leicester

We have completed our holiday and have all made it back in one piece! The bag transfers were superb, our bags were always waiting for us on arrival at each accommodation. In all we had a brilliant week, due in the main to your arrangements. Many thanks, we will be in touch for the next leg, possibly next Spring. Thanks again.

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!

Mel & Owen - North Wales

Thank you very much for organising a very good holiday for myself and my friend Owen. Luckily our waterproofs remained mainly in our rucksacks. So, not only did you get the itinerary right, the B&B's were excellent and you even managed to produce good weather. We hope to be using your services again next year!

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!

Alan from Bristol

We just wanted to say thanks for a great holiday. The weather was mixed but we didn't get too wet. Luggage Transfers were superb and worked very well. Our bags were there ready for us at each B&B. Thanks for everything; we had a great trip and are looking forward to planning another cycle trip.

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.

Viggo from Norway

We enjoyed a super walking experience in Cornwall. The weather was good at least most of the time! In general we are very happy with the whole holiday. All the accommodations you booked for us was of a high standard, with friendly people and good service. The luggage transfers were 100%. We are all very satisfied and plan to come back in the future!

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!

Phil Maude

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

James Langford, Australia

The information provided was excellent.

Richard John Gale

A perfect service | We have used Walk the Trail for three years now on the South West Coast Path and everything always goes without a hitch and the quality of the accommodation they book is generally very good to excellent. Cannot fault their service.

Trusted Customer

Super efficient and always willing to personalise our holiday requests. Eleven holidays with this company!

Michael Arthur

I phoned for advice about the best itinerary for my needs and got what felt like sound advice from someone who really knew the South West Coast Path - really looking forwards to my walking holidays with you.

Trusted Customer

Super route, reliable service, trustworthy partner

Trusted Customer

Excellently organised accommodation and luggage transfers. | I would definitely recommend Walk the Trail and already have done whilst talking to others walking. Our 6 days walking the SWCP were excellently organised. Our accommodation was good and really well placed for the path. Our hosts were very welcoming and some of the places we stayed were very interesting - we would not have found these for ourselves and plan to revisit some again . Our luggage was always ready and waiting for us - a relief after a days walking. The only thing we couldn't plan for was the weather! Will be using Walk the Trail again when we next have the opportunity.

Trusted Customer

Great service, a friendly and professional team. | I find it really easy to book with Walk the Trail. The website has loads of information about the itinerary options, and the team always responds promptly to any specific queries and to clarify details.

Michael Bansch

perfekt

Trusted Customer

They were very helpful when I rang to discuss my trip with them and gave me superb hints and tips. The website is well thought-out and suggested a wonderful itinerary based on my choice of distance and number of days.

Martin Johnson

We had an amazing time again walking such a wonderful coastal path. | They successfully catered to our every needs. Our accommodation was very good and close to the SWCP. The only exception being Clovelly but the owner very kindly picked us up after our evening meal out. Our accommodation in Padstow was the least favourite but we do appreciate the difficulty with the location. The luggage was always there for us when we arrived.

Barbara Hewitt

Lovely accommodation right on the coast path, everything well planned ,all I had to do was walk, very helpful when planning where to leave my car. A big thank you.

Trusted Customer

Excellent service and a pleasure to deal with.

Andrew Dennis

Spot on service | I have already recommended to 3 seperate folk at work for their efficient and personal service

Nick Windsor

Really passionate and flexible | Very responsive when I wanted a bespoke itinerary. Offered very useful options and suggestions (clearly knowledgable about their walking routes) and sorted my route super quickly. Thanks

Jose van der Meulen

good communication and very wel organized | Quick and easy communication before but also during the trip. the whole trip was very wel organized

Trusted Customer

Everything perfect!

Phil Maude

Challenging trip but well organised

Trusted Customer

Excellent | Everything was perfect. All details provided were correct. Accomodation and baggage transfer was good.

John Haselden

Great website and good response | The website allowed me to chose the exact holiday I wanted and the response from Walk the Trail was quick. I like the Walkers area on website where I can see all of the information relating to my holiday and can message them if I have any queries.

Trusted Customer

Gute Beratung für individuelle Planung | Linda, Mike and their team worked out a perfect itinerary for our SWCP walk next June extremely fast, our main problem (parking the car at the destination, getting to the starting place) was solved quickly - we are looking forward to walking the way ...

Ray Eaton, UK

Excellent customer service from our first email replies from the other side of the world.

Mark Crisp

Excellent Service | The whole process was excellent. Everything happened as expected and my bags were always picked up and delivered without incident. I've used them a couple of times now and wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

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.

Caroline Lemerle, Australia

Excellent consistent service and professionalism | Excellent and professional service. Available for follow up when rarely needed.

Peter Carne, London

Brilliant service ... I'd fully recommend! | I think Walking the Trail's service is brilliant. With great thought and care for our wishes, expectations and needs, they organise the perfect itinerary of day lengths, start and finish locations and accommodations. That's why we've used them again for our second stretch of the SW Coast Path.

John Bleakley

Highly recommended for the South West Coast Path. Always there to help in a polite and efficient manner.

Veronica Pettifer, Australia

I started with an inquiry re walking in Cornwell and have been assisted every step of the way, from planning the walk, duration and assistance with accommodation. My group have been varied with their request but Mike and Linda have been most accommodation all the way. They have also replied to all my inquiries promptly.Very happy.

Trusted Customer

Enjoyable! | As always, Walk the Trail gave us a walking holiday to remember. We enjoyed staying in all the places they booked for us, and we valued their advice on travel arrangements to and from our start and stop locations on the trail.