Route: From Minehead to St Ives

Overview

Fancy a challenge?  ...but a challenge with amazing, memorable views and experiences?

Walk the Trail has split the entire 630 mile coast path down into 3 parts

The South West Coast Path starts on the sea front at Minehead in Somerset, with amazing views across the Bristol Channel to the Welsh coast.  Initially, you climb up to the high cliffs with extensive views inland over Exmoor and cross deep valleys sheltering once flourishing harbours and fishing villages, interspersed with woodlands that restrict views to the sea.

Entering North Devon, the terrain is softer, but by no means easy, as it weaves in and out of tiny coves and headlands, passing beautiful Porlock, stunning Lynmouth and Lynton and Great Hangman, at 1043 feet, the highest point on the SWCP.

The rugged and dramatic landscape continues along the Atlantic Coast of North Cornwall: high sheer cliffs and rocky contorted headlands expose amazing rock strata and protect several secret sandy coves.  The lush green landscape of North Devon is a distant memory.  Any trees to be found are likely to be in the sheltered valleys, between cliff top headlands that are protected from the strong westerly winds.

This is a coastline that is largely unspoilt by recent urbanization; headlands and coves dominate.  Long stretches of beach are exceptions, rather than the rule.  The villages tend to be small and quaint.

Walk the Trail offers 3 itineraries along this route to cater for all levels of walker.  If, you feel that you'd like something different, just ask.


INCLUDED

All our holiday packages include:

  • Overnight accommodation staying at carefully selected B&Bs, Inns and Hotels
  • A detailed holiday pack
  • Luggage transfers
  • Transport from path to accommodations if necessary
  • Maps
  • Guidebook
  • Emergency support.

NOT INCLUDED

Our holiday packages do not include:

  • Transport to and from the start and end of the holiday, unless stated.  We can help you with your options.
  • Packed Lunches and Evening Meals
  • Travel Insurance

Itinerary & Costs

This itinerary is walking average distances each day and most walkers would choose this option.

At 630 miles long, the South West Coast Path to most is considered too much to walk in one go. But, if you'd still like to complete it and have almost 3 weeks spare you may want to consider walking 1/3 of the path.


The Daily Itinerary

Click on a day for further information.

Day 1: Arrive
Minehead
Day 2:
Minehead to Porlock
Distance: 9 miles Difficulty: Moderate
Day 3:
Porlock to Lynmouth
Distance: 12 miles Difficulty: Moderate
Day 4:
Lynmouth to Combe Martin
Distance: 13.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous
- Day 5:
Combe Martin to Woolacombe
Distance: 14 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

Due to a lack of accommodation in Woolacombe, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

Day 6:
Woolacombe to Braunton
Distance: 15 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Easy
Day 7:
Braunton to Instow
Distance: 13 miles Difficulty: Easy
Day 8:
Instow to Westward Ho!
Distance: 11 miles Difficulty: Easy
Day 9:
Westward Ho! to Clovelly
Distance: 11 miles Difficulty: Easy/Strenuous
Day 10:
Clovelly to Hartland Quay
Distance: 10.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
Day 11:
Hartland Quay to Bude
Distance: 15 miles Difficulty: Strenuous
- Day 12:
Bude to Crackington Haven
Distance: 10 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

Due to a lack of accommodation in Crackington Haven, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

Day 13:
Crackington Haven to Tintagel
Distance: 11.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous/Moderate
Day 14:
Tintagel to Port Isaac
Distance: 9 miles Difficulty: Strenuous
Day 15:
Port Isaac to Padstow
Distance: 11.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous
- Day 16:
Padstow to Porthcothan
Distance: 13.5 miles Difficulty: Easy

Due to a lack of accommodation in Porthcothan, it may be necessary to accommodate you elsewhere and include transfers to and from the accommodation.

Day 17:
Porthcothan to Newquay
Distance: 10.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate
Day 18:
Newquay to Perranporth
Distance: 12.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
Day 19:
Perranporth to Portreath
Distance: 12.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
Day 20:
Portreath to St Ives
Distance: 18 miles Difficulty: Moderate/Easy
 

What's Included

  • Accommodation for the length of your holiday including the night before you start walking and the evening after your final day's walking in good quality B&Bs, Inns and small hotels. This will be en-suite wherever possible.
  • Breakfast - This may be a full cooked or continental option depending on accommodation. Evening meals can be arranged with certain accommodations for an additional charge.
  • A Personalised Holiday Pack containing maps and addresses for accommodations, pick up points and daily mileage information.
  • Luggage transfers between each accommodation. 1 bag per person up to 20 kilograms. Additional bags can be added upon request.
  • If you are crossing a river using a ferry or on foot at low tide then we will provide you with the relevant information to assist.
  • If required, path to accommodation or round river transfers (free of charge)
  • Phone line support between the hours of 0900-1900, 7 days a week for the length of your holiday.

Optional Extras

The following items are optional and can be removed to reduce the cost of your holiday.

Not Quite Right?
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Important Information

Reviews

0/5 Cheryl from Vermont, USA
I'm home from my trip and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it! It was wonderful to have the elves take my luggage every day and to have it show up at the next place. It was a fairly rainy week but the scenery was magnificent and I truly enjoyed the walking. Thank you for all your arrangements --- people at the B&B's were all friendly and kind. I'll go back again someday! Thank you all!
0/5 Kate from Canada
I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful two-and-a-half weeks. All of the bed and breakfasts I stayed in were friendly, comfortable and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Every day when I arrived my bag was there, like a faithful dog. All in all an excellent trip. As an aside, I would also like to say that, as a female walking alone on the SWCP I had no problems at all and always felt perfectly safe.
0/5 Kathleen from Germany
It was an unique, fantastic and unforgettable experience with hurting feet and legs in the beginning and total fitness in the end ;-). I met interesting people and saw great landscapes. I experienced the coldest spring after over 60 years but with the right clothes - everything was under control ;-). I`d like to make you a compliment for your organization, fast answers and friendliness! The luggage transfer worked really well. Almost all B&B were lovely and the people very friendly.
0/5 Julia from Germany
We are back home from our walking holiday, what a marvellous experience! Thank you for your great organisation, everything worked without any problems. It was great to arrive at the accommodation and find our luggage already there, often even in our room. All the best, we will definitely be recommending your business!
0/5 Julie from Australia
We are now home from our travels and have had time to reflect. What a fabulous holiday. Thank you very much for planning our South West coast walk. It all went very well, the B&Bs were superb, we have no complaints at all. Thanks for organising a memorable walk.
0/5 Joan from Australia
Would recommend your organisation to anyone, and will do so. Can't thank you enough for a trouble free adventure.
0/5 Roland & Andrea
Thank you very much for our perfectly organised walking holiday. Our baggage was always there when we arrived and all the accommodations were great.
0/5 Sasha From Cornwall
Jess (my dog) and I are back after the most wonderful experience! Thank-you all for making it so wonderful, all the B&Bs were comfortable and welcoming and all were brilliant. All in all it was brilliant and very dog friendly. Thank you again and the very best luck for the future with your wonderful company.
0/5 Carleen
There is no doubt I loved the walk, arduous at times, but wonderful scenery and always very friendly people. Certainly, I will recommend your company, especially for the convenience and your professionalism (good documents etc.). Cheers.
Holiday Summary

Select:

Itinerary

19 Days / 20 Nights 12.5 miles daily avg


Difficulty

Rating: 3


Walkers

Number in Group: 2


What's Included
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Cost £2,386 per person

Based on Two people sharing a Double or Twin Room


Total Cost £4,772

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