Few countries embrace their coastline quite like Britain. From the granite cliffs of Cornwall to the wild combes of Exmoor, our shores have long drawn walkers, wanderers and sea-lovers.

Yet nowhere else can boast anything quite like the South West Coast Path — a remarkable 630-mile long walking trail that traces the entire coastline of the South West peninsula.

Stretching from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset, it is the longest continuous coastal path in the world. Each year countless walkers set out along its winding cliffs, hidden coves and sweeping headlands.

Some stroll a mile or two without even realising they are on Britain’s most famous trail. Others tackle sections over a weekend or a holiday. And then there are the determined souls who complete the entire route in a journey that can take seven or eight demanding weeks.

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South West Coast Path: At a Glance

Trail length: 630 miles (1014 km)
Start: Minehead, Somerset
Finish: Poole Harbour, Dorset

Counties crossed:

• Somerset

• Devon

• Cornwall

• Dorset

Total ascent: around 91,000 feet

Estimated time to walk the entire path: 7–8 weeks

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A Coast Path Like No Other

Walking the South West Coast Path is not for the faint-hearted. Though it follows the shoreline, it constantly climbs and descends around the peninsula’s rugged cliffs and combes.

In fact, anyone who walks the entire trail will climb and descend a combined 91,000 feet — the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest three times.

It is sometimes described as the world’s longest roller-coaster walk.

But those climbs reward walkers with some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Europe: towering cliffs, secret coves, wild moorland coastlines and fishing harbours that seem unchanged by time.

How the South West Coast Path Came Into Being

People have walked sections of the South West coastline for centuries. Many of the earliest paths were used by coastguards and excise officers who patrolled the cliffs looking out for smugglers bringing contraband ashore.

Gradually during the twentieth century local authorities began adopting stretches of these old tracks for recreational walking.

Finally, in 1978, the various sections were joined together to form a single continuous route around the peninsula. Before that the paths had different names such as the Cornwall Coast Path or the Somerset and North Devon Coast Path.

Today the trail is maintained by a partnership of organisations including the South West Coast Path Association, local authorities, the National Trust and government bodies.

Maintaining the route is no small task. Coastal erosion, landslips and storm damage frequently require sections of the path to be repaired or rerouted. Fingerposts, gates and steps must be maintained along hundreds of miles of exposed coastline.

But the effort is worthwhile. Walkers using the trail contribute millions of pounds each year to the West Country economy.

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Why Walking by the Sea Feels So Good

There may even be scientific reasons why walking beside the sea feels so uplifting.

Small amounts of ozone and negative ions are produced by crashing waves and tumbling water. Many people believe these help improve mood and energy levels — which may explain why a bracing walk along the coast path can leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Add bright winter sunlight, sea air and the endless rhythm of the tide, and it is easy to see why generations of walkers have been drawn to these shores.

Personally, I also love the soundscape of the coast path: crashing waves, the cries of gulls and the haunting call of an oystercatcher drifting across the rocks below.

Few other footpaths bring you so close to the raw edge of the Atlantic.

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Some Favourite Sections of the South West Coast Path

Over many years walking and writing about the West Country, I have explored numerous stretches of the coast path. Some of my favourite sections lie along the dramatic North Devon coast.

 

​For a start, it takes you to some fabulous beaches - 10 of which you can see here...

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The Wreckers' Coast of Devon and Cornwall

The “Wrecker’s Coast” that thrusts it’s razor-backed rocks out into the Atlantic between Hartland Point and the Camel Estuary boasts some of the most dramatic and savage coastal scenery to be found anywhere in Europe.

Stunning Coastal Hike in the South Hams

South Hams in Devon is known for its sunshine and excellent coastal walking opportunities. There's a stunning coastal walk from Outer Hope to Soar Mill Cove, passing through Bolt Tail and North Bolberry.

Wild Coast South of Brixham

Berry Head Country Park, with its rich history and abundance of flora and fauna... a headland is a must-see for any nature lover.

Porthgwarra and Treen

Based around the wonderful, little known, rarely visited and enigmatic fishing cove called Porthgwarra tucked just around the corner from Land’s End.

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Exploring the South West Coast Path Today

Whether you walk a single mile or spend weeks exploring its full length, the South West Coast Path offers one of the most rewarding walking experiences in Britain.

From quiet fishing villages to remote cliffs and windswept headlands, the trail reveals the extraordinary diversity of the West Country coastline.

For walkers, photographers and lovers of wild landscapes, it truly is one of the great long-distance paths of the world.

 

You might also enjoy these walking guides:

• Best Exmoor Walks
• Favourite coastal walks in Devon
• Best walks in Cornwall