9-Day Minehead to Bude Itinerary — Hiker Pace (SWCP Section 1)

Starting from Minehead's South West Coast Path sculpture, the route immediately ascends North Hill woodland via steep zigzag tracks through trees and bracken, reaching England's highest coastline with cliffs soaring to 250 metres. Traversing an inland path, you’ll climb close to Selworthy Beacon’s 308-metre summit, affording sweeping views towards Wales and Dunkery Beacon. The path then descends into Hurlstone Combe, leading to the charming hamlet of Bossington, where Kitnors Tea Room offers refreshments near the National Trust car park and its distinctive thatched cottages. A crossing of the expansive Porlock Marsh leads to the shingle beach approach for Porlock Weir, a historic harbour featuring The Bottom Ship Inn for hearty pub fare and the Harbour Gallery café for lighter bites.

From Porlock Weir, the South West Coast Path embarks on a strenuous climb through Yearnor Wood, reaching the tiny St Beuno's Church before plunging into the ancient Culbone Wood. After crossing several combes and Chubhill Wood, the route marks the Devon border at Coscombe's stream, then skirts Foreland and Butter Hill, offering expansive views across the Bristol Channel to Wales; refreshment is available at The Blue Bell Inn in Countisbury. The path descends for over two kilometres into Lynmouth's harbour, then ascends steeply up Glen Lyn Gorge to Lynton, 150 metres above, or alternatively, takes the cliff railway. Beyond Lynton, exposed coastal terrain leads past Lee Abbey and into Lee Bay, where a summer café offers refreshment, before rounding Crock Point's dramatic headland. The route then traverses steep-sided combes and rocky outcrops to Woody Bay, with its visible pier remnants, before continuing across spectacular coastal slopes and finally descending into the wooded gorge of Heddon Valley.

From Heddon Valley, the path ascends steeply through woodland to Glen Lyn Gorge, emerging at Lynton via a challenging climb or the cliff railway. The trail then hugs the exposed coast, passing Lee Abbey and Lee Bay, where a summer café offers respite. Rounding Crock Point's rugged headland, the route navigates wild, remote combes and rocky outcrops before reaching Woody Bay, its vanished pier a relic of past ambition. After traversing Trentishoe and Holdstone Downs across demanding cliffside paths, the stage culminates at Great Hangman, England's highest sea cliff, offering panoramic views before descending to Little Hangman and the long valley of Combe Martin, where pubs and cafés await. Departing Combe Martin, the route skirts Sandy Cove and Broadsands Beach to Watermouth Cove, with its castle and boat café, before rounding Widmouth Head and Rillage Point. After refreshment at Hele's Old Corn Mill, a final steep ascent of Hillsborough provides views of Ilfracombe harbour before a flat conclusion to the town.

Leaving Combe Martin, the South West Coast Path heads past Sandy Cove and Broadsands Beach towards Watermouth Cove, a charming natural harbour with refreshments at the Storm in a Teacup café, overlooked by Watermouth Castle. Rounding Widmouth Head, offering southerly glimpses of South Wales, the path continues through Samson's Bay and past Rillage Point's white coastguard cottages before reaching Hele village and the Old Corn Mill tea room. A steep ascent onto Hillsborough, marked by Iron Age earthworks, rewards with views of Ilfracombe harbour before a flat section leads into town. From Ilfracombe harbour, a challenging climb via the Torrs Walk ascends the Seven Hills, eventually descending dramatically to the secluded Lee Bay, where The Grampus Inn offers respite. Continuing past Bull Point lighthouse and Rockham Bay, the notorious Morte Point, a haven for seals, presents treacherous conditions and sweeping views towards Woolacombe's three-mile beach. Passing Grunta Beach and Barricane Beach, the route concludes at Woolacombe's surfing resort, with cafés like the Porthole providing refreshments by the expansive sands.

Departing Woolacombe, the path ascends steeply through Runnymede Gardens and onto the historic Torrs Walk, offering panoramic views before a dramatic descent into tranquil Lee Bay, a picturesque hamlet with refreshment at The Grampus Inn. Beyond, headlands like Bull Point, with its relocated lighthouse, and the treacherous Morte Point, where seals bask, provide dramatic scenery and views back to Woolacombe's three-mile beach. Secluded coves, including Grunta Beach and shell-rich Barricane Beach, are passed before the route crosses Woolacombe Warren and climbs to Vention's historic limeburners' cottage. Ascending Napps Cliff leads to Baggy Point, a National Trust headland with wildflower-edged clifftops and WWII remnants, before a descent towards Croyde Bay, with optional detours to the village's thatched cottages and Sandleigh Tea Room for refreshments. Skirting Saunton Down and Golf Course, the path traverses Braunton Burrows, following the historic 'American Road', before reaching Braunton Marshes and the medieval Great Field, finally arriving at Braunton Quay. From here, the traffic-free Tarka Trail, following the old railway line, leads past Chivenor airfield along the River Taw's banks to Barnstaple.

Leaving Braunton, the path embarks upon the traffic-free Tarka Trail, tracing the former Barnstaple to Ilfracombe railway line. This level, tarmacked route initially skirts Chivenor airfield, often revealing RAF helicopters and aircraft, before meandering alongside the River Taw's estuary towards Barnstaple, North Devon's main market town, offering extensive amenities. From Barnstaple's historic Long Bridge, the trail continues its gentle progression beside the taw, passing Fremington Quay with its welcoming café and information point, and through bird-rich marshlands. At Instow, the preserved Victorian station and its signal box stand testament to the past, while the village provides pubs and the tempting John's deli. A seasonal ferry from Instow offers a direct 10km shortcut to Appledore, bypassing Bideford entirely. Alternatively, the route proceeds along the Torridge Estuary to Bideford's Long Bridge, a medieval marvel, before continuing on the Tarka Trail along the Torridge's eastern bank, past impressive lime kilns and Tapeley Park's grounds, eventually arriving at the charming fishing village of Appledore with its cobbled streets and familiar deli.

Leaving Bideford, the Tarka Trail leads along the River Torridge's eastern bank, passing lime kilns and Tapeley Park, before reaching Appledore's fishing village. From Appledore, the path enters Northam Burrows Country Park, a SSSI with salt marsh and dunes, passing the Royal North Devon Golf Course and pebble ridge to Westward Ho!. Beyond the seafront and Seafield Holiday Park, a series of challenging climbs over Cornborough, Abbotsham, Green, Cockington, and Westacott Cliffs rewards with panoramic views towards Hartland Point. Descending to Babbacombe Mouth and then ascending past Higher Rowden, the route reaches Peppercombe, noting its unusual red sandstone cliffs. Steep ascents through Sloo Wood and the ancient woodland of Worthygate Wood (another SSSI) lead to Buck's Mills, before joining the Hobby Drive, a magnificent 19th-century carriage road built by Sir James Hamlyn Williams. This three-mile drive, winding through wooded slopes above Bideford Bay, offers glimpses of the spectacular coastline before culminating at the iconic cobbled fishing village of Clovelly, with refreshment stops en route.

Leaving Clovelly, the path meanders through woodland, passing the Grade II listed Angel's Wings shelter before confronting the dramatic cliffs of Gallantry Bower, offering spectacular views. Descending steeply to Mouth Mill beach with its ancient lime kiln and Blackchurch Rock, the route then climbs Brownsham Cliff before ascending to Windbury Head's Iron Age hillfort, the site of a wartime bomber crash and offering views towards Lundy Island. The challenging terrain continues along Exmansworthy, Fatacott, and Gawlish Cliffs, three kilometres of formidable 150-metre high clifftop, before rounding East Titchberry Cliff to Shipload Bay. Further demanding sections traverse North, Blagdon, and Upright Cliffs, leading to Blackpool Mill valley, where the River Abbey flows past a cottage featured in 'The Shell Seekers' film. After a steep climb from Dyers Lookout, the path journeys along The Warren, past the ruins of The Pleasure House folly and the historic Rocket House, finally arriving at Hartland Quay, its shipwreck museum and hotel offering welcome respite.

Leaving Hartland Quay, the South West Coast Path embarks on a demanding 200km journey to Bude, characterised by relentless ascents and descents across rugged terrain. Significant landmarks include the Grade II listed Angel's Wings shelter, the Bronze Age barrow remains at Gallantry Bower, and the Iron Age hillfort at Windbury Head. The path traverses numerous cliff sections such as Exmansworthy Cliff and Blagdon Cliff, skirting historical sites like Blackpool Mill valley and the 16th-century folly, The Pleasure House. Beyond Hartland Quay, the demanding nature intensifies, passing Speke's Mill waterfall and the Iron Age settlement at Embury Beacon. The route famously enters Cornwall after crossing Marsland Water, offering optional refreshments at Morwenstow. Further along, Hawker's Hut, the National Trust's smallest property, and the imposing GCHQ satellite station at Cleave Camp present unique sights before the path concludes at Bude's Crooklets Beach, having traversed England's most dramatic coastline.