Walking South Devon's Coastal Path

Activity Level

Moderate

Activity

Walking & Trekking

Overview

Walk the coastal path through South Devon

The walk from Plymouth to Dartmouth runs through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You’ll experience a coastline of spectacular contrasts from rugged cliffs, unspoilt estuaries, and sandy beaches, to patchwork countryside and charming villages. Discover the stories of shipwrecks and coastal defences, admire the rich fauna and flora and of course, soak up the incredible seascapes and coastal views.

Start your trip by exploring the maritime history of Plymouth, where you’ll enjoy stunning views across Plymouth Sound as you make your way along the cliff tops. Journey through woodland and across beautiful beaches as you round Devon’s most southerly headlands.

You’ll stay in hand-picked guesthouses, pubs with rooms or small hotels. They are well suited to walkers, located close to the trail and offer comfortable accommodation with a good breakfast to start your day. Most of the accommodations offer parking and are dog-friendly – please enquire for further details.

Key Information

Trip Code: W07DE
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: United Kingdom

What's Included

7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 3* & 4* hotels
All breakfasts
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Headwater navigation app
Luggage transfers between hotels (20kg max per bag)
Car transfers as per itinerary

6 days of Walking & Trekking

Day 2: 9 km / 5.6 miles
Day 3: 17 km / 10.6 miles
Day 4: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Day 5: 11.5 km / 6.8 miles
Day 6: 20 km / 12.4 miles
Day 7: 18 km / 11.2 miles

Highlights

Experience the spectacular contrasts of South Devon's Coastline
Visit the bustling ports and resorts of Salcombe and Dartmouth
Cross five beautiful estuaries and explore Burgh Island with its tidal causeway

Itinerary

First Destination: Plymouth
Next Destination: Dartmouth

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Plymouth
Next Destination: Dartmouth

Arrive at your hotel in Plymouth, just a few minutes from the waterfront on Plymouth Hoe and approx. 10mins from Plymouth train station. Take some time to visit the local sights including the Hoe, Barbican, Elizabethan House, and the National Marine Aquarium.

Overnight Imperial Hotel 4*, Plymouth (breakfast included).

Take the ferry from Barbican Quay across the River Plym (paid locally – approx. £2pp). On arrival at Mount Batten, you’ll follow the coastal path accompanied by panoramic views of Plymouth Sound. Continue through wooded cliff tops up to Staddon Heights, an area of historic Victorian military defences. Enjoy stunning views towards the Breakwater across Plymouth Sound and the Great Mewstone as you near the end of today’s walk.

Overnight Wembury Bay B&B 3H or Shearwater B&B 4H, Wembury (breakfast included).

Meals included:Breakfast

Take the ferry from Warren Point to Noss Mayo across Yealm Estuary (paid locally – approx. £4pp). Follow the path through Passage Wood alongside the river and onto Mouthstone Point with lovely views of Wembury Bay and the Mewstone. Walk along cliff tops towards Stoke Beach where a steady incline takes you to Beacon Hill, then towards Meadowsfoot Beach at Mothecombe. Your day ends by wading across the Erme Estuary to arrive at your next hotel.

Please note: There is no ferry across Erme Estuary. You will need to wade across at or near low tide (90 minutes either side of low tide is recommended) or arrange a local taxi for approx. £35 one way.

Please note: Transfers are included to/from the accommodation when staying in Modbury.

Overnight Dolphin Inn 3H, Kingston or Exeter Inn 3H, Modbury (breakfast included).

Meals included:Breakfast

Today’s walk takes you through Wrinkle Wood, skirting around Wonwell Beach and along cliff tops before reaching the unspoilt beaches at Westcombe and Ayrmer. You’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of Burgh Island and the South Hams coastline. You’ll take the ferry from Cockleridge Ham to Bantham across the Avon Estuary (paid locally – approx. £4pp). Walk along low cliffs to Thurlestone and past South Milton Ley Nature Reserve before arriving at Hope Cove.

Overnight Hope & Anchor 3H or Cottage Hotel 4H (breakfast included).

Meals included:Breakfast

Follow the path to Bolt Tail through a small wood before emerging onto open ground with spectacular views across Bigbury Bay coastal villages. On a clear day you can see as far as Dodman Point further west on the Cornish Coast. Head towards Bolberry Down and along cliff tops to the secluded Soar Mill Cove. Upon reaching Bolt Head, you’ll soon enter woodland and pass Overbeck’s Garden before winding down to Salcombe’s South Sands Beach.

Overnight Waverley Guesthouse 3H or Fortescue Inn 3*, Salcombe (breakfast included).

Meals included:Breakfast

Take the ferry from Salcombe to East Portlemouth across Salcombe Estuary (paid locally – approx. £2pp). Today takes you through one of the more remote but beautiful sections of the South Devon Coastal Path. Some short inclines and rocky sections take you to Portlemouth Down where you can enjoy fine views across the estuary. The trail continues past Gara Beach, winding gently along the cliffs known as the ‘Swine Trail’; some care is needed close to the cliff edges as you round Prawle Point (Devon’s most southerly point) and then further onto Start Point with its iconic lighthouse.

Please note: Transfers are included to/from the accommodation when staying in Stokenham.

Overnight Cricket Inn 4*, Beesands or Church House Inn 3H Stokenham (breakfast included).

Meals included:Breakfast

Today’s walk climbs through woods around the old Beesands Quarry, across Slapton Sands and Slapton Ley Nature Reserve. You’ll enjoy lovely views east and west along the coastline, passing through charming villages as you continue to the entrance of the Dart Estuary. Follow the coastal path to Dartmouth Castle where you can learn about this historic building and Dartmouth port.

Overnight Townstal Farmhouse B&B 3* or The Royal Castle Hotel 4*, Dartmouth (breakfast included).

Meals included:Breakfast

Drive home or take a local taxi to Totnes train station (approx. 30mins) for onward rail connections.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Call us on 1 844 462 4317

Book Your Flights With Us

Window or aisle? Premium seat with extra legroom? Adding a stopover en route? We’ll sort the flights that fit your plans. With access to thousands of routes - major airlines and regional gems alike, we’ll help you fly from your preferred airport, at times that suit you. Secure your flights and trip together and enjoy peace of mind knowing everything's organized with one team here to help if plans change.

View Details

Accommodation

Imperial Hotel 4*, Plymouth

This beautiful, family-owned townhouse is award-winning in Plymouth. Centrally located, you can walk to a local swimming pool, the famous Plymouth Hoe, and the Theatre Royal. A delicious breakfast is served at the hotel, there is also free parking available on site.

Wembury Bay B&B, Wembury

Located in the quiet village of Wembury, this small B&B offers a friendly welcome and is just a short walk to the beach, local pub and shops. You can enjoy a delicious cooked breakfast before leaving for your days walk.

Dolphin Inn 3*, Kingston

This beautiful 16th century country pub is in the quiet village of Kingston. The pub is adjacent to the rooms where home cooked meals are served using locally sourced produce. The main bar has a cosy fireplace, there is also a lovely garden where guests can enjoy the sunshine.

Hope & Anchor 3H, Hope Cove

Set in the picturesque seaside village of Hope Cove, this boutique accommodation offers welcoming rooms, most with beautiful views overlooking the ocean. Enjoy local food at the pub with plenty of space for both indoor and outdoor dining.

Waverley Guesthouse 3H, Salcombe

Salcombe boasts unspoilt countryside and a magnificent coastline with beautiful beaches. This well-located lovely guesthouse houses just 6 well-appointed rooms. Off-street parking is available free of charge (subject to availability).

Cricket Inn 4*, Beesands

This idyllic seaside retreat has an award-winning seafood menu and newly refurbished rooms offering a home away home. Most rooms have beautiful sea views and are designed in a New England boutique style.

Townstal Farmhouse B&B 3*, Dartmouth

This 16th century building oozes charm and character with wooden beams and an inglenook fireplace. Breakfast is cooked to order, offering a wide choice of locally sourced produce.

Essential Information

United Kingdom

Travellers from the US, Canada, and the EU normally do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom, but do need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (or ETA), which you can apply for at www.gov.uk/eta/apply.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.