Running from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset, the South West Coast Path (SWCP) is a 630-mile National Trail and England’s longest waymarked long-distance footpath stretching over four counties. The trail has been shortlisted as Britain’s Favourite Path by the Ramblers walking charity and features several National Nature Reserves and Heritage Coasts, five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, two World Heritage Sites, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a Geopark, and one National Park.
Frequently hailed as one of the world’s greatest walks, it has also been recognised as the UK’s best walking route by sources such as Walk magazine, Coast magazine, and Country Walking. It follows the stunning coast of Exmoor, North Devon, the entire coastline of Cornwall, as well as south Devon, and Dorset.
According to the South West Coast Path, nearly 9 million people visit the Path every year.
The path offers an ever-changing scenery, including cliffs, coves, sandy beaches, rugged hills, ancient woodlands, over 115,000 feet of ascents and descents, and charming coastal villages.
The full path takes 7 to 8 weeks to complete but many walkers choose to tackle it in shorter sections, spread out over several trips.
Other iconic features of the walk are Durdle Door, famous for its natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast Lulworth Cove, the 18-mile Chesil Beach, and the Black Ven Landslide Complex between the towns of Charmouth and Lyme Regis.
One TripAdvisor from Peterborough wrote: “Oh what a walk. We have completed Minehead to St Ives in 15 days, memories to last a life time but so worth it.”
Simon from Berkshire said: “A wonderful week in varied terrain with beautiful views, isolated walks with wildlife for company to high peaks and beautiful valleys.
“This interspersed with pleasant seaside towns and some beautiful forests, rivers, beaches. An absolute joy, although the last leg is long, flat and less varied. I recommend to anyone and hope to return and pick up where we left off.”
Another person described is as a “WALK OF A LIFETIME”.