It is the UK’s longest and best-loved National Trail and is the subject of a new film out later this month starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. “The Salt Path” film, based on Raynor Winn’s best-selling memoir, tells the story of a couple who walk the South West Coast Path after losing their home and facing a health crisis. The film is set to be released in UK cinemas on May 30.
For walkers the South West Coast Path is perhaps the UK’s ultimate challenge – a 630-mile adventure around the coastline of England’s south west peninsula covering four counties. There’s more than 115,000 ft of ascent and descent on the South West Coast Path. Completing it is equivalent to climbing Snowdon 48 times, Ben Nevis 26 times and Everest 4 times. Tourism leaders expect fans of the film to seek out some of the filming locations and welcome more walkers. Lorna Sherriff, national trail officer for the South West Coast Path Association, said everyone was welcome. “There are 630 miles to share, there is something for everyone here,” she said.
The South West Coast Path Association uses counting machines to record footfall at 15 different locations on the path. The information gathered helps the organisation find out which part of the path is likely to need more maintenance.
Ms Sherriff added: “It’s an amazing free resource for people to get out there and walk. But it does cost a lot to maintain. It’s £1,500 per mile, per year and it’s 630 miles along, so that’s an awful lot of money.”
Starting at Minehead in Somerset it runs along the coastline of Exmoor, continuing along the coast of North Devon into Cornwall. It follows the entire coastline of Cornwall, goes across the mouth of the River Tamar and continues into Devon. After running along the south coast of Devon it then follows the Dorset coastline before finally ending at Poole Harbour.
As a National Trail, the South West Coast Path is signposted all the way round by the acorn. In addition to this you will find large commemorative markers at key points on the trail such as Minehead (the start), Porthallow (the mid-point) and South Haven Point (the end). All off which offer the perfect excuse for an instagram post.
There are also a number of way markers along the way that will tell you how far from each end of the trail you are. Although most walkers choose to complete the Path in this anti-clockwise direction, from Minehead to Poole, there is no reason why it cannot be different and walk in the opposite direction.
As one of the longest coastal footpaths in the world, it’s necessary to break the Path down into sections according the the Official South West Coast Path Guidebook which is free to members.
There are seven sections all of varying lengths, which are categorised geographically – Somerset and Exmoor (35 miles), North Devon (90 miles), North Cornwall (66 miles), West Cornwall (144 miles), South Cornwall (76 miles), South Devon (104 miles) Jurassic Coast (115 miles)
On average the South West Coast Path takes 7-8 weeks to complete. There are of course people who will do it much quicker than this (the current record is just over 10 days!), and those who will take much longer.
Whilst a very fit and fast walker could complete all 630 miles in around 30 days or so, the guidebook maps out a 52 day itinerary which they say works well for most people. It is well worth purchasing a copy of our South West Coast Path Guidebook if you are planning to walk the entire trail as it is packed full of all the information you need to plan your trip – including accommodation, places to eat and visitor attractions.
For more information visit www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk