Walk The Trail

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Route: From Plymouth to Poole

Overview

The final challenge!

Leaving the vibrant city of Plymouth, the Path then enters the South Hams where the finest coastline of South Devon is to be found and this diverse journey will take you through picturesque locations such as Blackpool Sands, a sheltered bay surrounded by evergreens and pines, into the quaint historic maritime town of Dartmouth, along roller coaster cliffs leading toward dramatic Berry Head and into the bustling fishing port of Brixham.

Passing more pretty coves at Elberry, Broadsands and Goodrington, the walk will then take you onward over red sandstone cliffs leading to Torquay. The walk moves on to a roller-coaster journey overseeing the vibrant red sandstone rocks, stacks and headlands of East Devon culminating in the heart of the World Heritage site at the Jurassic Coast of Dorset.

There are some severe sections and others with easier grades but all bring the reward of beautiful views : dramatic and isolated headlands; cliffs descending to unspoilt quiet coves; lush wooded countryside; unspoilt shaded valleys, wild rocky coastal stacks - whilst sharing the journey taken by smugglers and pirates in bygone days - all with the backdrop of the ever present sights and sounds of the sea not far away along the many miles of this wonderful West Country coastline.

So.............is this the challenge for you ?

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 shorter distances each day than most walkers choose.

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 2 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

Plymouth

- Day 2:

Plymouth (The Hoe) to Wembury

Distance: 11.5 miles Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Due to a lack of accommodation in Wembury, accommodation will be arranged nearby. If wanting to walk all of the South West Path, then you will need to walk to the Yealm Estuary and up to the cross roads before being transferred to accommodation nearby. This will add an extra 3 miles / 5km to the above distance.

- Day 3:

Noss Mayo to Bigbury on Sea

Distance: 14 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

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. If wanting to walk of the South West Coast Path, then you will need to walk to the Avon Estuary and back to Bigbury before being transferred to accommodation nearby. This will add an extra 2 miles / 3km to the above distance

- 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: Strenuous

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

Ferry crossing from Dartmouth to Kingswear.

Day 10:

Brixham to Paignton

Distance: 5.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Day 11:

Paignton to Babbacombe

Distance: 7 miles Difficulty: Moderate

- Day 12:

Babbacombe to Dawlish

Distance: 10.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous/Easy

Ferry journey required from Shaldon to Teignmouth.
Due to a lack of accommodation in Dawlish, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

- Day 13:

Dawlish to Budleigh Salterton

Distance: 11.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Ferry journey required from Starcross to Exmouth.
Due to a lack of accommodation in Budleigh Salterton, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

Day 14:

Budleigh Salterton to Sidmouth

Distance: 7 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

Day 15:

Sidmouth to Beer

Distance: 8.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

Day 16:

Beer to Lyme Regis

Distance: 8.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate

- Day 17:

Lyme Regis to Seatown

Distance: 8 miles Difficulty: Moderate

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

Day 18:

Seatown to Abbotsbury

Distance: 12.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Day 19:

Abbotsbury to Weymouth

Distance: 14 miles Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Day 20:

Weymouth to Lulworth

Distance: 11 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

- Day 21:

Lulworth to Kingston (2024 Houns-tout diversion)

Distance: 12 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Lulworth Range is only open on certain dates to allow walkers to pass through. It includes most weekends, and public holidays. click here to check your dates

Day 22:

Kingston to Swanage (2024 Houns-tout diversion)

Distance: 11 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

Day 23:

Swanage to Poole

Distance: 9 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Day 24: Depart

Poole

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

Reviews

Sheila from Stoke-on-trent

I had a fantastic time. Thank you too for ordering the brilliant weather for me. Really a nice touch and something I didn't expect. A big thank you to the Luggage Transfers drivers who where very professional and never let me down. The accommodations were very good too! Kind regards

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.