Day-by-day trail itinerary
South West Coast Path: 51-day itinerary
The South West Coast Path is Britain's longest National Trail: about 1013 km (630 miles) of coastal walking from Minehead in Somerset, around the whole of the North Devon, Cornwall, South Devon and Dorset coast, to South Haven Point on Poole Harbour. Its total ascent is roughly 17,200 m, often quoted as nearly four times the height of Everest. The route grew out of the beats trodden by 19th-century coastguards watching for smugglers, and still threads a near-continuous line of cliffs, coves, sea stacks, dunes, fishing harbours and holiday resorts, much of it protected as National Park, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Heritage Coast or the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. A fit walker completes it in about a month; the SWCP Association's own itinerary runs to 52 days, and most people split it across several trips. Many facilities are seasonal, several southern estuaries are crossed by ferries that only run in summer, and a few crossings depend on the tide, so each stage rewards checking ahead.
Choose your pace
Compare South West Coast Path itineraries
A practical starting point
51 days from Minehead to South Haven Point
Use these daily distances and overnight stops as a starting point, then customise the trip in the planner.
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1
Day 1: Minehead → Porlock
14.4 km · 411 m ascent · 4h17–6h03 (about 5h02, incl. ~50m of stops)
Via Allerford, Bossington -
2
Day 2: Porlock → Lynton
21.4 km · 999 m ascent · 7h08–10h04 (about 8h23, incl. ~1h24 of stops)
Via Oare, Brendon, Lynmouth -
3
Day 3: Lynton → Combe Martin
21.1 km · 1,276 m ascent · 7h28–10h32 (about 8h47, incl. ~1h28 of stops)
Via Martinhoe -
4
Day 4: Combe Martin → Lee
14.2 km · 628 m ascent · 4h41–6h36 (about 5h30, incl. ~55m of stops)
Via Berrynarbor, Ilfracombe -
5
Day 5: Lee → Croyde
17.8 km · 380 m ascent · 5h02–7h07 (about 5h56, incl. ~59m of stops)
Via Mortehoe, Woolacombe, Georgeham -
6
Day 6: Croyde → Barnstaple
22.1 km · 96 m ascent · 5h25–7h39 (about 6h22, incl. ~1h04 of stops)
Via Saunton, Braunton, Chivenor, Heanton Punchardon, Ashford -
7
Day 7: Barnstaple → Westward Ho!
28.5 km · 118 m ascent · 6h58–9h50 (about 8h12, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Bickington, Fremington, Yelland, Instow, Westleigh, Bideford, Northam, Appledore -
8
Day 8: Westward Ho! → Clovelly
18.3 km · 694 m ascent · 5h45–8h07 (about 6h46, incl. ~1h08 of stops)
Via Abbotsham, Bucks Mills, Cranford, Woolfardisworthy -
9
Day 9: Clovelly → Welcombe
23.7 km · 824 m ascent · 7h22–10h23 (about 8h40, incl. ~1h26 of stops)
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10
Day 10: Welcombe → Bude
17.6 km · 643 m ascent · 5h36–7h54 (about 6h35, incl. ~1h06 of stops)
Via Morwenstow, Flexbury -
11
Day 11: Bude → Crackington Haven
16.5 km · 559 m ascent · 5h05–7h11 (about 5h59, incl. ~1h of stops)
Via Marhamchurch, Widemouth Bay, Poundstock -
12
Day 12: Crackington Haven → Tintagel
18.7 km · 775 m ascent · 6h04–8h33 (about 7h08, incl. ~1h11 of stops)
Via Boscastle -
13
Day 13: Tintagel → Port Isaac
13.8 km · 567 m ascent · 4h30–6h21 (about 5h17, incl. ~53m of stops)
Via Treknow, Trebarwith Strand, Delabole, Treligga -
14
Day 14: Port Isaac → Padstow
20.5 km · 417 m ascent · 5h44–8h05 (about 6h44, incl. ~1h07 of stops)
Via New Polzeath, Polzeath, Trebetherick, Pityme, Splatt, Rock -
15
Day 15: Padstow → Treyarnon
18.3 km · 228 m ascent · 4h48–6h47 (about 5h39, incl. ~56m of stops)
Via Trevone, St. Merryn, Harlyn, Constantine Bay -
16
Day 16: Treyarnon → Newquay
21.0 km · 509 m ascent · 6h02–8h31 (about 7h06, incl. ~1h11 of stops)
Via Penrose, Trenance, Mawgan Porth, Trevarrian, Tregurrian, St. Columb Minor, Porth -
17
Day 17: Newquay → Perranporth
22.3 km · 352 m ascent · 6h02–8h31 (about 7h05, incl. ~1h11 of stops)
Via Crantock, Holywell, Cubert -
18
Day 18: Perranporth → Portreath
19.6 km · 578 m ascent · 5h52–8h17 (about 6h54, incl. ~1h09 of stops)
Via Perrancoombe, Trevellas Downs, Mithian, Goonbell, St. Agnes, Mount Hawke, Porthtowan -
19
Day 19: Portreath → St Ives
28.5 km · 431 m ascent · 7h39–10h48 (about 9h, incl. ~1h30 of stops)
Via Connor Downs, Angarrack, Phillack, Hayle, St Erth, Lelant Saltings, Uny Lelant, Carbis Bay, Halsetown -
20
Day 20: St Ives → Boscaswell
23.6 km · 721 m ascent · 7h06–10h02 (about 8h21, incl. ~1h23 of stops)
Via Zennor, Porthmeor, Morvah, Bojewyan, Pendeen -
21
Day 21: Boscaswell → Porthcurno
23.7 km · 529 m ascent · 6h44–9h30 (about 7h55, incl. ~1h19 of stops)
Via Bosavern, St Just, Mayon, Sennen, Sennen Cove -
22
Day 22: Porthcurno → Marazion
23.4 km · 330 m ascent · 6h14–8h48 (about 7h20, incl. ~1h13 of stops)
Via Treen, Lamorna, Mousehole, Paul, Tredavoe, Newlyn, Penzance, Heamoor, Gulval, Longrock, Ludgvan, Crowlas -
23
Day 23: Marazion → Porthleven
17.3 km · 341 m ascent · 4h49–6h48 (about 5h40, incl. ~56m of stops)
Via Perranuthnoe, Goldsithney, St. Hilary, Rosudgeon, Germoe, Praa Sands, Ashton, Breage -
24
Day 24: Porthleven → Lizard
23.7 km · 486 m ascent · 6h37–9h21 (about 7h47, incl. ~1h18 of stops)
Via Mullion -
25
Day 25: Lizard → Coverack
15.9 km · 324 m ascent · 4h28–6h18 (about 5h15, incl. ~53m of stops)
Via St. Ruan, Cadgwith, Ruan Minor, Kuggar -
26
Day 26: Coverack → Helford
21.0 km · 330 m ascent · 5h39–7h59 (about 6h39, incl. ~1h07 of stops)
Via St. Keverne, Porthoustock, Manaccan -
27
Day 27: Helford → St. Mawes
21.9 km · 227 m ascent · 5h40–7h59 (about 6h39, incl. ~1h07 of stops)
Via Porth Navas, Mawnan, Mawnan Smith, Maenporth, Budock Water, Falmouth, Flushing, Mylor Churchtown -
28
Day 28: St. Mawes → Portloe
22.9 km · 437 m ascent · 6h20–8h56 (about 7h27, incl. ~1h14 of stops)
Via Bohortha, Gerrans, Portscatho, Trewithian, Veryan -
29
Day 29: Portloe → Pentewan
23.2 km · 647 m ascent · 6h52–9h42 (about 8h05, incl. ~1h21 of stops)
Via Gorran Churchtown, Gorran Haven, Portmellon, Mevagissey -
30
Day 30: Pentewan → Fowey
24.7 km · 526 m ascent · 6h57–9h49 (about 8h11, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Charlestown, Par, St Blazey, Tywardreath -
31
Day 31: Fowey → Looe
19.4 km · 558 m ascent · 5h47–8h10 (about 6h48, incl. ~1h08 of stops)
Via Polruan, Lansallos, Polperro, Porthallow, Talland, Hannafore -
32
Day 32: Looe → Freathy
19.0 km · 549 m ascent · 5h38–7h58 (about 6h38, incl. ~1h07 of stops)
Via East Looe, St Martin, Seaton, Downderry, Crafthole, Sheviock, Antony -
33
Day 33: Freathy → Plymouth
19.2 km · 352 m ascent · 5h19–7h30 (about 6h15, incl. ~1h02 of stops)
Via Millbrook, Cawsand, Kingsand, Torpoint -
34
Day 34: Plymouth → Newton Ferrers
22.7 km · 277 m ascent · 5h57–8h24 (about 7h, incl. ~1h10 of stops)
Via Down Thomas, Heybrook Bay, Wembury -
35
Day 35: Newton Ferrers → Bigbury-on-Sea
22.1 km · 543 m ascent · 6h22–9h (about 7h30, incl. ~1h15 of stops)
Via Mothecombe, Kingston, Ringmore -
36
Day 36: Bigbury-on-Sea → Salcombe
21.2 km · 461 m ascent · 5h59–8h27 (about 7h02, incl. ~1h10 of stops)
Via Bigbury, Thurlestone, South Milton, Galmpton, Hope, Malborough -
37
Day 37: Salcombe → Beesands
18.9 km · 488 m ascent · 5h31–7h47 (about 6h29, incl. ~1h05 of stops)
Via East Portlemouth, East Prawle, Chivelstone, South Hallsands, North Hallsands, Kellaton -
38
Day 38: Beesands → Dartmouth
18.0 km · 506 m ascent · 5h20–7h32 (about 6h16, incl. ~1h03 of stops)
Via Beeson, Torcross, Stokenham, Slapton, Strete, Stoke Fleming -
39
Day 39: Dartmouth → Brixham
17.6 km · 714 m ascent · 5h42–8h02 (about 6h42, incl. ~1h07 of stops)
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40
Day 40: Brixham → Torquay
13.6 km · 180 m ascent · 3h35–5h04 (about 4h14, incl. ~42m of stops)
Via Churston Ferrers, Galmpton, Paignton -
41
Day 41: Torquay → Shaldon
17.6 km · 780 m ascent · 5h50–8h14 (about 6h52, incl. ~1h08 of stops)
Via Stokeinteignhead -
42
Day 42: Shaldon → Exmouth
16.9 km · 202 m ascent · 4h25–6h14 (about 5h12, incl. ~52m of stops)
Via Teignmouth, Holcombe, Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Cockwood, Starcross, Kenton -
43
Day 43: Exmouth → Sidmouth
20.3 km · 495 m ascent · 5h51–8h16 (about 6h53, incl. ~1h09 of stops)
Via Knowle, Budleigh Salterton, East Budleigh, Otterton -
44
Day 44: Sidmouth → Seaton
16.1 km · 615 m ascent · 5h07–7h14 (about 6h02, incl. ~1h of stops)
Via Salcombe Regis, Branscombe, Beer -
45
Day 45: Seaton → Charmouth
16.9 km · 524 m ascent · 5h05–7h11 (about 5h59, incl. ~1h of stops)
Via Colyford, Axmouth, Lyme Regis, Uplyme -
46
Day 46: Charmouth → West Bexington
21.3 km · 502 m ascent · 6h08–8h39 (about 7h13, incl. ~1h12 of stops)
Via Morcombelake, North Chideock, Symondsbury, Higher Eype, Eype, Bridport, Bothenhampton, Shipton Gorge, Burton Bradstock, Swyre, Puncknowle -
47
Day 47: West Bexington → Weymouth
26.9 km · 200 m ascent · 6h46–9h34 (about 7h58, incl. ~1h20 of stops)
Via Abbotsbury, Portesham, Langton Herring, Chickerell, Fleet, Wyke Regis -
48
Day 48: Weymouth → West Lulworth
19.2 km · 436 m ascent · 5h27–7h41 (about 6h25, incl. ~1h04 of stops)
Via Preston, Sutton Poyntz, Osmington -
49
Day 49: West Lulworth → Kimmeridge
11.8 km · 469 m ascent · 3h49–5h22 (about 4h29, incl. ~45m of stops)
Via East Lulworth -
50
Day 50: Kimmeridge → Durlston
19.6 km · 511 m ascent · 5h42–8h03 (about 6h43, incl. ~1h07 of stops)
Via Kingston, Worth Matravers, Langton Matravers -
51
Day 51: Durlston → South Haven Point
14.9 km · 155 m ascent · 3h52–5h27 (about 4h32, incl. ~46m of stops)
Via Swanage, Studland
Solve the practical questions
Plan South West Coast Path with confidence
Route-specific answers from Trailstrider's researched trail data, with the planner ready when you want to turn them into your own trip.