Salcombe/East Portlemouth South West Coast Path Walk, Salcombe, South Devon
The South West Coast Path at Salcombe/East Portlemouth
On sunny days, Salcombe is up there with the best destinations in the world. It can be an extraordinary experience in the right conditions. Arguably the best way to appreciate its beauty is on foot walking the South West Coast Path which fringes the lower section of the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary running through places such as Rickham Common, East Portlemouth, Salcombe, North Sands (Beach), South Sands (Beach), Sharp Tor and Bolt Head.
Note that if you want to walk all of the South West Coast Path around Salcombe then you'll need to use the Salcombe East Portlemouth Ferry. This runs throughout the year which is great for sunny winter days when the light is particularly impressive.
Walking the South West Coast Path east of Salcombe/East Portlemouth
Assuming that you are starting in Salcombe, take the Salcombe East Portlemouth Ferry to East Portlemouth Beaches (Small's Cove to Ditchend Cove). Wander up the slipway to the Venus Cafe. You are on the South West Coast Path. Follow the narrow road south and you come to the back of Mill Bay Beach (National Trust) with its car park.
The path climbs to the top of the cliff overlooking the beach and estuary. Note that there is a super view here across the water to Salcombe. Continue to Rickham Common at the mouth of the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary. You walk above Sunny Cove (Beach) with great views across to North Sands (Beach) and South Sands (Beach).
From Rickham Common, the South West Coast Path turns east along the coast to Gara Rock Beach and then Prawle Point. There's then a super stretch of coastal walking that passes above many pretty, secluded coves and beaches before you come to the dramatic Start Point and Start Point Lighthouse.
It's then a yomp up the lighthouse access road to a popular car parking area and viewpoint over the vast Start Bay. You'll see Hall Sands (Beach), Bee Sands (Beach) and Slapton Sands (Beach). The famous arc of Blackpool Sands (Beach) is a little further north along the coast and then the mouth of the Dart Estuary is all the way at the top of the view.
Buses run from Torcross.
Walking the South West Coast Path west of Salcombe/East Portlemouth
Starting in Salcombe, head south west on Fore Street. This runs into Cliff Road by The Ferry Inn and the Salcombe East Portlemouth Ferry. Contiinue on Cliff Road all the way to North Sands (Beach) and The Winking Prawn. The road climbs and then drops to South Sands (Beach). This is a great spot for a coffee.
The South West Coast Path leaves the road and you walk a path to the base of Sharp Tor and drop down to Starehole Cove. It then climbs to Bolt Head and turns west to The Warren. The views east and west are immense. The path is flat on The Warren and then descends to Soar Mill Cove (Beach) before climbing steeply to Bolberry Down. Bolt Tail and Hope Cove are visible. South Milton Sands (Beach), Bantham Beach and Bigbury-on-Sea Beach are to the north and north west.
Buses run from Hope Cove.
Combining the South West Coast Path and ferry trips
If you want a short South West Coast Path walk and a ferry trip, we'd recommend either the South Sands Sea Tractor/Taxi to South Sands (Beach) or the Salcombe East Portlemouth Ferry to the beaches on the East Portlemouth side of the estuary.
If you fancy the South Sands (Beach) option then take the South Sands Sea Tractor/Taxi from the pontoon at Whitestrand in the centre of Salcombe. The ferry ride is superb. To get to South Sands (Beach), you transfer from the ferry to a sea tractor that takes you onto the sand. Enjoy some time on the beach and then walk back on the South West Coast Path via North Sands (Beach) and The Winking Prawn to the centre of Salcombe.
Alternatively, take the Salcombe East Portlemouth Ferry to East Portlemouth Beaches (Small's Cove to Ditchend Cove). *At low tide*, walk south west along the sand through Mill Bay Beach (National Trust) and Sunny Cove (Beach). At the mouth of the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary, where an attractive sand spit curls through the water, wander up to the South West Coast Path and head back on the path, and then tarmac road, to the Venus Cafe and ferry in East Portlemouth. Return to Salcombe and The Ferry Inn!
Combining the South West Coast Path and other local walking routes
There's a nice walk from Salcombe along the South West Coast Path to Soar Mill Cove (Beach). You can then wander up the valley to Soar Mill Cove Hotel. A path takes you to Lower Soar, Higher Soar and East Soar Farm. You then walk to the top of Sharp Tor for amazing views up the Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary.
Follow the path north to the back of Overbeck's Garden and Museum (National Trust). Head back to the centre of Salcombe either on the South West Coast Path or on the South Sands Sea Tractor/Taxi.
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