South West Coast Path - South Devon Coast, West

63 miles (101kms) from Plymouth to Dartmouth
7 nights; 6 days walking

A walk through along the waterfront of Plymouth, past numerous sites of historic significance, including Plymouth Hoe, Smeaton’s Tower, the Mayflower Steps, Sutton Pool and the Citadel; a stretch of rolling coastline dissected by tidal river estuaries and ferry crossings between Wembury and Bantham; a superb rugged coastline with massive headlands and a hilly hinterland of crazy contours between Bolt Tail and the beautiful town of Dartmouth.

 

Golden gorse on the clifftop above Starehole Bay

 

Highlights include the historic sites of Plymouth; the beautiful Fleet estuary; the views across to Burgh Island with its famous art deco hotel (and a walk across to the island if the tide is out); Sharpitor, where the path picks a rocky route above the turquoise waters of the Kingsbridge Estuary; Salcombe - Britain’s most southerly resort - where lemon trees and colour-washed cottages give the town a Mediterranean feel; the far-reaching views along the coast from Bolt Head, Prawle Point and Start Point; Slapton Ley Nature Reserve where a freshwater lake separated from the sea by a shingle bar attracts a wealth of wildlife; and the view across the picturesque River Dart to the village of Kingswear on the far bank.

 

View of Kingswear from Dartmouth, across the River Dart

 

Approximate daily distances:
  •  Plymouth Hoe to Wembury - 12 miles (19 kms)
  • Wembury to Mothecombe - 11 miles (18 kms)
  •  Wonwell to Bantham (including a 3kms walk across the sands to Burgh Island, and back) - 8 miles (13 kms)
  •  Bantham to Salcombe - 11 miles (18 kms)
  •  Salcombe to Torcross - 12 miles (19 kms)
  •  Torcross to Dartmouth - 10 miles (16 kms)

 

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return to South West Coast Path introduction

 

What's included in the price of this holiday?

SWCP map

Holiday Options

3 3
Code:SWCP8
Grade:3 - 2
Nights:7
Price:£1,060.00
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Currency Converter: All of our prices are in British pounds. To estimate the cost in another currency use the currency converter here.

Travel information - start

Rail: Plymouth
Onward travel: On foot or taxi

Travel information - finish
Rail: Totnes
Onward travel: Public bus

More travel information

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footpath holidays logo With effect from 1st March 2025

We will no longer be accepting new bookings for our:

Rest assured, any bookings already in place will go ahead as planned. The website general information pages, and any pages relating to the individual destinations, will remain ‘live’ as a reference point for guests with active bookings.

This is part of a restructuring exercise as we hand the reins over to the next generation. Our work as ‘ground handlers’ for specialist agents and tour operators, and with pre-formed groups, continues, as does our ‘private driver guiding’ (www.bbhtours.co.uk).

Our office is still fully functional, and we are happy to continue to answer queries and provide advice, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

We are also happy to recommend Contours Holidays (www.contours.co.uk), who have been offering a wide range of self-guided holidays since 1996. Mention Footpath Holidays to receive their ‘Friends Referral Offer’.

After thirty-three years at the helm, and twenty-two years of arranging self-guided holidays, this does feel like a big step. Thank you to our numerous past guests and ‘regulars’; it has been a pleasure to look after you.

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