What is the South West Coast Path?
The South West Coast Path is by far the longest and, in places, the most punishing, of the National Trails. The path is made up of 4 original paths; the Somerset and North Devon, Cornwall, South Devon, and Dorset Coastal paths which now combined create a trail 630 miles long starting in Minehead, Somerset and ending in Poole, Dorset.
The route is very popular, and gets quite busy in the summer months, although there are stretches of the SWCP so secluded that you can walk for miles without seeing more than a couple of walkers and the odd fishermen.
What you can Expect to encounter along the South West Coast Path
With many high cliffs the walk can be physically demanding, despite never being far from villages and towns, unlike many other trails. Few people walk the South West Coast Path in it's entirety in one go, as it requires a great deal of time as well as a high level of fitness. To walk the entire route would take around 8 weeks and this is more than most can afford to give. So most walkers break it down and walk one section each year and take advantage of our baggage transfer service.
There is a lot of history surrounding the footpaths which were patrolled on foot on a daily basis by Coastguard's until 1856 on the lookout for smugglers. So it's no surprise to see coastguard cottages dotted along the way. The path is best enjoyed between May and September when the weather is good, there are wild flowers in plentiful bloom and you may even get a glimpse bof a dolphin or basking shark.
During the peak season accommodation may be difficult to find, and some accommodations will require a minimum of 2 nights stay, so please have a look at our list of SWCP Walkers Accommodation. This includes hotels, guest houses, B&B`s, campsites, hostels and backpackers accommodations.
Much of the route is through official Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In addition, with its unique geology and prehistoric features, the East Devon and Dorset Coast section has been officially designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The South West Coast Path really has something for everyone.
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