Day-by-day trail itinerary
South West Coast Path: 49-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
49 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 → Widemouth Bay
23.1 km · 728 m ascent · 7h05–9h59 (about 8h20, incl. ~1h23 of stops)
Via Morwenstow, Flexbury, Poughill, Stratton, Bude, Marhamchurch -
11
Day 11: Widemouth Bay → Boscastle
22.2 km · 1,008 m ascent · 7h24–10h27 (about 8h43, incl. ~1h27 of stops)
Via Poundstock, Higher Crackington, Middle Crackington, Crackington Haven -
12
Day 12: Boscastle → Port Isaac
21.3 km · 804 m ascent · 6h46–9h32 (about 7h57, incl. ~1h20 of stops)
Via Tintagel, Treknow, Trebarwith Strand, Delabole, Treligga -
13
Day 13: 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 -
14
Day 14: Padstow → Treyarnon
18.3 km · 228 m ascent · 4h48–6h47 (about 5h39, incl. ~56m of stops)
Via Trevone, St. Merryn, Harlyn, Constantine Bay -
15
Day 15: 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 -
16
Day 16: Newquay → Perranporth
22.3 km · 352 m ascent · 6h02–8h31 (about 7h05, incl. ~1h11 of stops)
Via Crantock, Holywell, Cubert -
17
Day 17: 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 -
18
Day 18: 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 -
19
Day 19: St Ives → Boscaswell
23.6 km · 721 m ascent · 7h06–10h02 (about 8h21, incl. ~1h23 of stops)
Via Zennor, Porthmeor, Morvah, Bojewyan, Pendeen -
20
Day 20: Boscaswell → Porthcurno
23.7 km · 529 m ascent · 6h44–9h30 (about 7h55, incl. ~1h19 of stops)
Via Bosavern, St Just, Mayon, Sennen, Sennen Cove -
21
Day 21: 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 -
22
Day 22: 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 -
23
Day 23: Porthleven → Lizard
23.7 km · 486 m ascent · 6h37–9h21 (about 7h47, incl. ~1h18 of stops)
Via Mullion -
24
Day 24: Lizard → Coverack
15.9 km · 324 m ascent · 4h28–6h18 (about 5h15, incl. ~53m of stops)
Via St. Ruan, Cadgwith, Ruan Minor, Kuggar -
25
Day 25: Coverack → Helford
21.0 km · 330 m ascent · 5h39–7h59 (about 6h39, incl. ~1h07 of stops)
Via St. Keverne, Porthoustock, Manaccan -
26
Day 26: 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 -
27
Day 27: St. Mawes → Portloe
22.9 km · 437 m ascent · 6h20–8h56 (about 7h27, incl. ~1h14 of stops)
Via Bohortha, Gerrans, Portscatho, Trewithian, Veryan -
28
Day 28: Portloe → Pentewan
23.2 km · 647 m ascent · 6h52–9h42 (about 8h05, incl. ~1h21 of stops)
Via Gorran Churchtown, Gorran Haven, Portmellon, Mevagissey -
29
Day 29: Pentewan → Fowey
24.7 km · 526 m ascent · 6h57–9h49 (about 8h11, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Charlestown, Par, St Blazey, Tywardreath -
30
Day 30: Fowey → Looe
19.4 km · 558 m ascent · 5h47–8h10 (about 6h48, incl. ~1h08 of stops)
Via Polruan, Lansallos, Polperro, Porthallow, Talland, Hannafore -
31
Day 31: 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 -
32
Day 32: Freathy → Plymouth
19.2 km · 352 m ascent · 5h19–7h30 (about 6h15, incl. ~1h02 of stops)
Via Millbrook, Cawsand, Kingsand, Torpoint -
33
Day 33: Plymouth → Newton Ferrers
22.7 km · 277 m ascent · 5h57–8h24 (about 7h, incl. ~1h10 of stops)
Via Down Thomas, Heybrook Bay, Wembury -
34
Day 34: Newton Ferrers → Bigbury-on-Sea
22.1 km · 543 m ascent · 6h22–9h (about 7h30, incl. ~1h15 of stops)
Via Mothecombe, Kingston, Ringmore -
35
Day 35: 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 -
36
Day 36: 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 -
37
Day 37: Beesands → Kingswear
18.3 km · 506 m ascent · 5h24–7h38 (about 6h21, incl. ~1h04 of stops)
Via Beeson, Torcross, Stokenham, Slapton, Strete, Stoke Fleming -
38
Day 38: Kingswear → Paignton
26.4 km · 848 m ascent · 8h04–11h23 (about 9h29, incl. ~1h35 of stops)
Via Brixham, Churston Ferrers, Galmpton -
39
Day 39: Paignton → Shaldon
22.1 km · 828 m ascent · 6h59–9h52 (about 8h14, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Torquay, Stokeinteignhead -
40
Day 40: 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 -
41
Day 41: Exmouth → Sidmouth
20.3 km · 495 m ascent · 5h51–8h16 (about 6h53, incl. ~1h09 of stops)
Via Knowle, Budleigh Salterton, East Budleigh, Otterton -
42
Day 42: Sidmouth → Seaton
16.1 km · 615 m ascent · 5h07–7h14 (about 6h02, incl. ~1h of stops)
Via Salcombe Regis, Branscombe, Beer -
43
Day 43: Seaton → Charmouth
16.9 km · 524 m ascent · 5h05–7h11 (about 5h59, incl. ~1h of stops)
Via Colyford, Axmouth, Lyme Regis, Uplyme -
44
Day 44: 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 -
45
Day 45: 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 -
46
Day 46: Weymouth → West Lulworth
19.2 km · 436 m ascent · 5h27–7h41 (about 6h25, incl. ~1h04 of stops)
Via Preston, Sutton Poyntz, Osmington -
47
Day 47: West Lulworth → Kimmeridge
11.8 km · 469 m ascent · 3h49–5h22 (about 4h29, incl. ~45m of stops)
Via East Lulworth -
48
Day 48: Kimmeridge → Durlston
19.6 km · 511 m ascent · 5h42–8h03 (about 6h43, incl. ~1h07 of stops)
Via Kingston, Worth Matravers, Langton Matravers -
49
Day 49: 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 Get Oot's researched trail data, with the planner ready when you want to turn them into your own trip.