Minehead to Bude a 125 mile section of The South West Coast Path
This section Begins at Minehead, the official start to the South West Coast Path, skirting the edge of spectacular Exmoor passing through some spectacular coastal views and ending at the Historic Cornish town of Bude.
- Minehead to Porlock - 9 miles
The Official start to the SWCP begins at the western side of Minehead before entering Exmoor National Park and across some of the highest cliffs in England. From here you can see right across the Bristol Channel and inland to Dunkery Beacon. You may also be lucky enough to catch sight of the red deer that roam the moor. - Porlock to Lynmouth 12 miles
Recognised as a Heritage Coast in 1991, you will find yourself passing ravines, waterfalls and the rocky headland. The path passes the smallest parish church in England in Culbone before leaving Someset and entering Devon. - Lynmouth to Combe Martin 13 miles
The path merges with the Two Moors Way before going through the Valley of the Rocks famous for its goats. It’s here the path leaves Exmoor National Park and enters the village of Combe Martin, home of the longest village street in England. - Combe Martin to Woollacombe 14 miles
After Widmouth Head you will find Ilfracombe the home of the Tarka Trail and where you can choose to visit Lundy Island. The long sandy Morte Bay awaits before reaching Woolacombe. - Woollacombe to Braunton 15 miles
Passing Baggy Point from Morte Bay into Croyde Bay, you enter the North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the largest sand dune system in England home to over 400 species of vascular plant. - Braunton to Instow 13 miles
Here the path turns inland and following the River Taw, over the Medieval Barnstaple Long Bridge and alongside the disused Bideford & Instow Railway. The path then goes upstream and crosses the Taw–Torridge Estuary at the 13th Century bridge at Bideford. - Instow to Westward Ho! 11 miles
The path heads north next to the Torridge Estuary and then past the Shell Middens and a Mesolithic submerged forest before reaching Westward Ho! via a pebble ridge. - Westward Ho! to Clovelly 11 miles
The path follows the coast around Clovelly Bay where several small villages including Abbotsham can be found. The villages are located inland because of the cliffs. Clovelly itself is a historic village with a small natural harbour. - Clovelly to Hartland Quay 10 miles
Heading through the Hartland Peninsula you will emerge from beautiful woodland at Hartland Point before entering a barren landscape along the rocky coast to Hartland Quay with many waterfalls, sea birds and secluded beaches to be seen. - Hartland Quay to Bude 15 miles
With 10 river valley crossings this is described by many as the toughest part of the entire South West Coast Path. Stunning scenery, combined with stunning combes makes it all worthwhile as the path gets easier following the sandy beaches into Bude.
