South West Coast Path

About this trail

Following the Atlantic edge of southwest England, this path strings together the clifftop headlands, secluded coves, and surf-swept beaches of Cornwall and Devon into one continuous coastal walk. From the wooded hillsides above Combe Martin to the wild granite cliffs near Sennen Cove, passing through the surf towns of Newquay and Perranporth and the quieter estuaries around Newton Ferrers and Kingsand, the route offers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Britain. The terrain is relentlessly hilly — steep descents into coves are immediately followed by equally steep climbs out, making daily distances far more demanding than they appear on a map. Atlantic gales in winter and early spring can render exposed headlands genuinely hazardous; late spring through early autumn offers the most reliable conditions. Villages along the way provide resupply and accommodation, but some stretches between settlements are long enough to warrant carrying extra water and food. The National Trail acorn waymark keeps navigation straightforward on most sections, though coastal fog occasionally makes open moorland passages tricky.