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Conquer Britain’s longest trail — South West Coast Path — Part 4

rumpelstiltskin1 (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Conquer Britain’s longest trail — South West Coast Path — Part 4

Hiking Collection by komoot

12

Tours

70:22 h

157 mi

14,800 ft

This Collection brings the South West Coast Path to a magnificent finale along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Exploring a unique and internationally-important landscape, this Collection is filled with fascination, steeped in beauty, and rich in opportunities to spot rare flora and fauna.

On these hikes you wander through the only place in the world that displays 185 million years of geological evolution, the Jurassic Coast. You also explore the English Riviera Geopark, a dramatic and beautiful landscape that is also of global importance.

There are plenty of hidden coves, sleepy villages, dramatic headlands, rugged cliff-tops, picturesque landscapes, and golden beaches with turquoise waters, along the way, too, of course.

At 630 miles (1,014 kilometers) long, the South West Coast Path is Britain's longest national trail. Winding through Somerset, Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset, it is also one of the most-loved long-distance routes in the UK.

There is no set itinerary to complete the trail. However, in this series of Collections we will conquer the trail in 52 days, split over eight weeks, starting from Minehead and finishing at South Haven Point. As always, of course, you can split up each stage to as many days as you are comfortable with.

If you are using public transport to undertake the routes in this Collection, you will need to catch a train to Plymouth railway station, which is served by direct trains from London and Bristol. From there, you would need to catch the number three bus service to Torcross. The bus stop is on Royal Parade, around seven minutes walk away from the train station.

As the Coast Path essentially finishes in Bournemouth, you are best to catch a train from Bournemouth Railway Station, which has direct trains to London and connecting services.

If you are planning to arrive by car, your best bet is to negotiate with a hotel or B&B a rate to stay for a night either side of your hike in Bournemouth, or look into long stay car parks. To get to Torcorss, you need to catch a train from Bournemouth Railway Station to Totnes (with changes at Reading and Newton Abbot). From there, you need to get the 164 bus service to Kingsbridge, then the three bus service to Torcross.

In order to see the whole South West Coast Path, click the links below to see more Collections.

Part 1: komoot.com/collection/887617.
Part 2: komoot.com/collection/887634.
Part 3: komoot.com/collection/887746.

On The Map

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South West Coast Path

632 mi

58,250 ft

58,275 ft

Last updated: September 1, 2022

Tours & Highlights

  • Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

    Stage 01: Torcross to Dartmouth – South West Coast Path

    04:33
    9.96 mi
    2.2 mph
    1,125 ft
    1,150 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This stage begins with a leisurely stroll across Slapton Sands past the wildlife-rich lake, Slapton Ley.

    

    After the first three miles (five kilometers), the hiking becomes more challenging as you climb cliffs and drop into coves.

    

    The landscape along this stage is diverse and shifts from fields to cliffs

    by komoot

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  • 05:18
    11.5 mi
    2.2 mph
    1,425 ft
    1,425 ft
    Ferry
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.

    This stage begins with an enchanting boat ride across the River Dart.

    

    After an easy start, the pace soon picks up and you are faced with some sharp ascents and descents.

    

    As you pass Kingswear Castle perched on the rocks, you have to contend with one of Devon’s most difficult sections of the trail as you

    by komoot

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  • 06:22
    14.5 mi
    2.3 mph
    1,225 ft
    975 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Fascinating geology and a quintessential British summer holiday atmosphere make this a memorable stage of the South West Coast Path.

    

    Taking you right through the English Riviera, there is plenty to explore on this hike; from bustling seaside promenades to quiet woodland, impressive red cliffs to traditional

    by komoot

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  • 07:14
    16.4 mi
    2.3 mph
    1,275 ft
    1,475 ft
    Ferry
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.

    This stage explores a varied stretch of coastline which guarantees to pique your interest.

    

    As you leave the crowds of Torbay behind, the terrain soon becomes more rural and increasingly challenging. As the trail twists through dense woodland and fields, you may find it tough in places.

    

    When you reach

    by komoot

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  • 05:40
    12.8 mi
    2.3 mph
    1,025 ft
    1,000 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This stage beckons in a new and exciting era on the Coast Path—the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

    

    As you leave Exmouth, the trail soon reaches Orcombe Point, the most westerly point of the Jurassic Coast. From here, you can hike through 185 million years of earth’s history along 95 miles of picturesque

    by komoot

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  • 04:45
    9.95 mi
    2.1 mph
    1,500 ft
    1,500 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Whilst this hike is short in distance, the terrain gets tough and will provide a hearty challenge at times.

    

    This hike traverses the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is beautiful at any time of year and always rich in flora and fauna. So, take your time and let the scenery fill up your

    by komoot

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  • 06:52
    14.5 mi
    2.1 mph
    2,150 ft
    2,125 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    If challenging hiking through breathtaking landscapes is your thing, then this will be a little slice of paradise.

    

    With constant sharp ascents and descents to contend with, the trail traverses crumbling cliffs, fossil-rich beaches, wildflower meadows, picturesque fishing harbors, and much more on this

    by komoot

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  • 05:25
    12.8 mi
    2.4 mph
    625 ft
    575 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This dramatic stage explores some fascinating natural phenomena along the Jurassic Coast.

    

    After a couple of ups-and-downs out of Seatown, the trail eases up for level walking from West Bay—allowing you to enjoy the sights with ease for the rest of the hike.

    

    Highlights along the way include magnificent

    by komoot

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  • 04:57
    11.8 mi
    2.4 mph
    425 ft
    500 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This stage explores an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is noted for unique scenery and abundant wildlife, especially birdlife.

    

    After a brief stroll around the historic village of Abbotsbury, you climb inland before descending towards The Fleet, the largest tidal lagoon in Britain. Separated from

    by komoot

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  • 05:58
    13.6 mi
    2.3 mph
    950 ft
    950 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Whilst circuits aren’t usually the done thing on linear routes, this lovely loop around the Isle of Portland is well worth a break from the norm for.

    

    A hike of spectacular scenery, cliff-top views, crashing waves, hidden coves, and old quarries filled with wildlife and flowers, there is something for

    by komoot

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  • 06:31
    14.7 mi
    2.3 mph
    1,275 ft
    1,225 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    An ever-changing landscape filled with iconic sights makes this a memorable stage on the Coast Path.

    

    Beginning as a leisurely stroll from Weymouth, the trail becomes increasingly difficult, culminating in some hefty ascents and descents as you approach Lulworth Cove.

    

    In typical fashion, as the hiking gets

    by komoot

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  • 06:49
    14.8 mi
    2.2 mph
    1,825 ft
    1,700 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    With some challenging ascents and descents to contend with, this remote section of the Coast Path should test your skills and stamina.

    

    The beautiful scenery, spellbinding views, fascinating geology, and abundant wildlife should keep your mind off any aching legs, though.

    

    One of the most fascinating sights

    by komoot

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Questions and Comments

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Collection Stats

  • Tours
    12
  • Distance
    157 mi
  • Duration
    70:22 h
  • Elevation
    14,800 ft

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