Route: From Minehead to Westward Ho!

Overview

The bustling coastal town of Minehead is recognised as being the start of the 630 mile long South West Coast Path,  marked by the monument in the form of gigantic hands holding a map. This is where it all begins for you.

All who start their walk here must experience a sense of stepping out on a formidable journey! Some may have lingering doubts, but will almost certainly have a sense of adventure as they continue to walk across the highest cliffs in England and then inland onto Exmoor.

This journey takes in Lynmouth, Combe Martin, Woolacombe, Braunton, Instow and Westward Ho! And has exceptional views of the South Wales Coast.

The famous Valley of the Rocks, which is a site of Special Scientific interest is also a part of this walk. As the path joins up with the Tarka Trail, there are stunning views of Lundy Island and then following the River Taw, with its beautiful flora and fauna there will be plenty of photographic opportunities along the way.

This is a varied and rewarding walk along the glorious North Devon coastline.

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
Route Profile - Minehead to Westward Ho

Itinerary & Costs

This itinerary is for those who prefer to take in these beautiful surroundings at a more daily relaxed pace.

Start your 630 mile experience here; the whole South West Coast Path awaits you. Stunning cliff-tops, glorious waterfalls and wooded valleys offer breath-taking views and numerous photo opportunities as you walk.


The Daily Itinerary

Click on a day for further information.

Day 1: Arrive
Minehead
- Day 2:
Minehead to Porlock
Distance: 9 miles Difficulty: Moderate

This includes to walk up to the village of Porlock. If you specifically want to stay in Porlock Weir, please ask, as there is not always availability. Minehead to Porlock Weir is 10 miles.

- Day 3:
Porlock to Countisbury
Distance: 12 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Due there only being 1 accommodation in this location, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

- Day 4:
Countisbury to Hunters Inn
Distance: 8.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

Due there only being 1 accommodation in this location, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

Day 5:
Hunters Inn to Combe Martin
Distance: 7.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate
Day 6:
Combe Martin to Ilfracombe
Distance: 5.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
- Day 7:
Ilfracombe to Woolacombe
Distance: 8.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate

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

Day 8:
Woolacombe to Croyde
Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Moderate
Day 9:
Croyde to Braunton
Distance: 9 miles Difficulty: Easy
Day 10:
Braunton to Barnstaple
Distance: 5 miles Difficulty: Easy
- Day 11:
Barnstaple to Appledore (using ferry)
Distance: 8 miles Difficulty: Easy

This does not include the walk into Bideford. Instead, this makes use of the ferry operating between Instow and Appledore. The ferry operates 2 hours either side of high tide. If the ferry is not operating, then there is a regular bus service from Instow to Appledore.

Day 12:
Appledore to Westward Ho!
Distance: 5 miles Difficulty: Easy
Day 13: Depart
Westward Ho!
 

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.

Not Quite Right?
Try our Tailor Made Service here »

Important Information

There is a ferry service between Instow Quay and Appledore Slipway from April to October weather and tides permitting.  The service is limited as although working between 0800 and 2100, it only operates 2 hours either side of high tide. However, there is a regular bus service between Instow and Appledore with a journey time of 30 minutes.

 

Reviews

0/5 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!
0/5 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!
0/5 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.
0/5 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.
0/5 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!
0/5 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.
0/5 Joan from Australia
Would recommend your organisation to anyone, and will do so. Can't thank you enough for a trouble free adventure.
0/5 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.
0/5 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.
0/5 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.
0/5 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!
5/5 Phil Maude
The trip was well organised and although the days were long it was an enjoyable trip
5/5 Trusted Customer
Beautifully organised with excellent places to stay and near to the path.
5/5 Peter Lord
Great service, great holiday | Very efficient, easy "one stop shop" for what otherwise would be complex planning.
5/5 Trusted Customer
Super efficient and always willing to personalise our holiday requests. Eleven holidays with this company!
4/5 Trusted Customer
Super route, reliable service, trustworthy partner
5/5 Jenny Ann Hall
Would highly recommend. | Would use again. Luggage always waiting at next stop.
5/5 Judith Edwards
Excellent service | Everyone seems very friendly and heipful. They tailor made the walk for me and were flexible about rearranging accommodations when a friend decided to join me.
4/5 Trusted Customer
Holiday went smoothly, accommodation was ok.
5/5 Michael Bansch
perfekt
4/5 Trusted Customer
Reliable, good service. Will return for next stage of the SWCP
5/5 Shirley Scott
Great communication and organisation. Loved it. Want to do another leg of the South West Coast Path with Walk the Trail in 2022
5/5 Phil Maude
Good start not too far at first.Well planned route
5/5 Martin Johnson
Worth every penny for a hassle free trip! | This was our first time of doing anything like this and we were quite apprehensive but we needn't have worried. Everything was perfect; B&B's, directions, luggage was always there and not a mark on it. All our questions and concerns were acted upon very promptly. We were so pleased that we've booked again later in the year.
5/5 Trusted Customer
Excellent service and a pleasure to deal with.
5/5 Alan, UK
Couldn't be more helpful to organise a bespoke holiday. | Decided to speed up our south west coastal path hike via a company that organising baggage transfer etc and accommodation. Mike and Linda couldn't be more helpful and approachable in sorting a bespoke holiday and understanding our requirements. Thank you.
5/5 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
5/5 Trusted Customer
The communication was very swift, polite and helpful.
5/5 Jens Reinecke, France
Just perfect and outstanding landscape | Very friendly staff, perfect organization, most of the B&B's were lovely, parking of our car well organised.
5/5 Anne Burckart
Kann ich nur weiterempfehlen! | Sehr nette und hilfsbereite Mitarbeiter und sehr guter Service!
5/5 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.
5/5 Caroline Lemerle, Australia
Excellent consistent service and professionalism | Excellent and professional service. Available for follow up when rarely needed.
5/5 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.
Holiday Summary

Select:

Itinerary

11 Days / 12 Nights 7.5 miles daily avg


Difficulty

Rating: 2


Walkers

Number in Group: 2


What's Included
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Cost £1,394 per person

Based on Two people sharing a Double or Twin Room


Total Cost £2,788

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