Walk The Trail

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Route: From Minehead to St Ives

Overview

Fancy a challenge? ...but a challenge with amazing, memorable views and experiences?

Walk the Trail has split the entire 630 mile coast path down into 3 parts

The South West Coast Path starts on the sea front at Minehead in Somerset, with amazing views across the Bristol Channel to the Welsh coast. Initially, you climb up to the high cliffs with extensive views inland over Exmoor and cross deep valleys sheltering once flourishing harbours and fishing villages, interspersed with woodlands that restrict views to the sea.

Entering North Devon, the terrain is softer, but by no means easy, as it weaves in and out of tiny coves and headlands, passing beautiful Porlock, stunning Lynmouth and Lynton and Great Hangman, at 1043 feet, the highest point on the SWCP.

The rugged and dramatic landscape continues along the Atlantic Coast of North Cornwall: high sheer cliffs and rocky contorted headlands expose amazing rock strata and protect several secret sandy coves. The lush green landscape of North Devon is a distant memory. Any trees to be found are likely to be in the sheltered valleys, between cliff top headlands that are protected from the strong westerly winds.

This is a coastline that is largely unspoilt by recent urbanization; headlands and coves dominate. Long stretches of beach are exceptions, rather than the rule. The villages tend to be small and quaint.

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

Recommended dates to walk this route

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

Itinerary & Costs

This itinerary is walking smaller distances each day and is for leisurely walkers.

At 630 miles long, the South West Coast Path to most is considered too much to walk in one go. But, if you'd still like to complete it and have 3 weeks spare you may want to consider walking 1/3 of the path.

Itinerary: Number in group:

The Daily Itinerary

Click on a day for further information.

Day 1: Arrive

Minehead

Day 2:

Minehead to Porlock

Distance: 9 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Day 3:

Porlock to Lynmouth

Distance: 14 miles Difficulty: Moderate

- Day 4:

Lynmouth to Hunters Inn

Distance: 6.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

Due to a lack of accommodation in Heddon's Mouth, 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:

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 14:

Clovelly to Hartland Quay

Distance: 10 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

- Day 15:

Hartland Quay to Morwenstow

Distance: 8.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

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

Day 16:

Morwenstow to Bude

Distance: 7.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

- Day 17:

Bude to Crackington Haven

Distance: 10 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

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

Day 18:

Crackington Haven to Tintagel

Distance: 11.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous/Moderate

Day 19:

Tintagel to Port Isaac

Distance: 9.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

- Day 20:

Port Isaac to Padstow

Distance: 12 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

Short ferry ride from Rock to Padstow.

- Day 21:

Padstow to Porthcothan

Distance: 13.5 miles Difficulty: Easy

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

Day 22:

Porthcothan to Newquay

Distance: 10.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate

- Day 23:

Newquay (Fern Pit Crossing) to Perranporth

Distance: 11 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

The distance above is based on crossing The Gannel at Fern Pit Cafe, either using the bridge (low tide) or the ferry (high tide / operates May to mid September). There are 2 alternative bridges to take a little further upstream. Penpol Bridge +1 mile or Trenance Bridge +2.5 miles.

Day 24:

Perranporth to Portreath

Distance: 12 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

Day 25:

Portreath to Hayle

Distance: 12 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Easy

Day 26:

Hayle to St Ives

Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Easy

Day 27: Depart

St Ives

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.
If required, path to accommodation or round river transfers.
Phone line support between the hours of 0900-1900, 7 days a week for the length of your holiday.

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

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.