Best South Devon SWCP/South West Coast Path Walking, Salcombe, South Devon

If you're looking to walk a short section of the South West Coast Path in South Devon then we'd recommend the following stretches of coastline. We also include a description of the entire length of the South West Coast Path from Exeter to Plymouth should you want to complete it in one go. Browse the photo gallery to see images of the route. If you can go on a sunny winter's day when the light is clean then the views can be sublime.

Dawlish Warren around the end of the sand spit with views to Exmouth and then back along coast to the iconic red Langstone Rock before returning to Dawlish Warren.

Car parking area on cliffs above Labrador Bay. Walk down to Shaldon and back. This walk provides the classic red cliff and seafront view of Teignmouth.

Babbacombe around to Hope's Nose and Meadfoot Beach and then back. Starts at the stunning Babbacombe Bay and follows the coast path to Hope's Nose for huge views across Tor Bay.

Ferry from Torquay to Brixham and follow South West Coast Path back. Take the ferry across Tor Bay from Torquay to Brixham and then wander back along the coastline of The English Riviera.

Coleton Fishacre around coast to Forward Point and then back. Visit the National Trust property, drop through its magnificent gardens to the coat path.

Ferry from Dartmouth to Dartmouth Castle and back. Take the ferry from the heart of Dartmouth to English Heritage's Dartmouth Castle before wandering back on the South West Coast Path.

Torcross to Hallsands and back. Walk this superb stretch of the coast path lining Start Bay.

East Prawle to Start Point and back. One of the most remote sections of the coastal path, there are lots of secret beaches to enjoy.

Ferry Salcombe to South Sands. Follow South West Coast Path to Sharp Tor then walk back to Salcombe.

South Milton Sands to Bantham Beach and back. Sublime walking. The view from the cliffs across to Burgh Island is a Westcountry highlight.

Wembury Point to Wembury Beach and back. Another National Trust property. Beautiful area near Plymouth Sound.

Bovisand Fort to Mount Batten via beaches and back. Walk a section of the South West Coast Path lining Plymouth Sound. Top views of Plymouth.

The following describes the characteristics and highlights of sections of the South West Coast Path in South Devon. For directions, grab an Ordnance Survey map and follow the marked path. It's very well sign posted when you are there.

The Exe Valley Way runs from Exeter to the mouth of the Exe Estuary. From there, it connects with the South West Coast Path. Exeter is a major South West railway hub which is why we start from there. The same is true of Plymouth. Make a holiday of it. Take the train to Exeter. Leave on the train from Plymouth.

Exeter to Dawlish Warren

Characteristics of this section. Flat with massive estuary views. Lots of birdlife and numerous nature reserves. Fascinating local history, especially the history of Exeter. Miles of sand at Dawlish Warren.

Highlights of this section. Exeter Historic Quayside. Passing through nature reserves to the Turf Inn. Beautiful estuary views past Powderham Castle to Dawlish Warren. Leave the South West Coast Path to walk around the sand spit at Dawlish Warren.

Dawlish Warren to Teignmouth

Characteristics of this section. Red rock. Beaches that get crowded in holiday season. Increasingly built up. Holiday resorts. Estuary at Teignmouth and Shaldon.

Highlights of this section. Langstone Rock, a famous local landmark of red rock. The centre of Dawlish with its black swans. Teignmouth Pier. Extensive beaches. Views across the Teign Estuary to Shaldon.

Shaldon to Babbacombe

Characteristics of this section. Hilly. Big drops down to the sea in Babbacombe Bay. Wooded central section with coves. Built up area at Babbacombe with sublime views of Jurassic Coast.

Highlights of this section. The location of The Ness pub and the high cliff beside it. Shaldon Zoo. Smugglers Tunnel to Ness Cove Beach. Views back down to Teignmouth from cliffs south of Ness Cove Beach. Maidencomb. Watcombe. Beaches below Babbacombe and The Cary Arms. Model Village. Views from Babbacombe across Babbacombe Bay to the Jurassic Coast.

Babbacombe to Brixham

Characteristics of this section. Natural beauty. The English Riviera cops flak but, in parts, it's amazing. Lots of family beaches. Holiday resorts. A concentration of visitor attractions. Internationally important geology and history.

Highlights of this section. In this section, you're walking the coastline of The English Riviera. It's packed with attractions. Drop down to Anstey's Cove. Walk out to Hope's Nose for big views across Torbay. The views from the headland near Thatcher's Rock. Kent's Cavern show caves. Meadfoot Beach. Living Coasts. Torquay Marina. Torre Abbey. Big red sand beaches to Paignton Pier and Roundham head and beyond to Goodrington. Splashdown@quaywest. Broadsands. Brixham with the Golden Hinde. Brixham Breakwater. Berry Head with its fort and nature reserve and views back across Torbay.

Brixham to Kingswear

Characteristics of this section. Big cliffs above secluded beaches. Gorgeous valleys including the one in which you'll find the National Trust's Coleton Fishacre. Sublime views at the Dart Estuary.

Highlights of this section. Berry Head National Nature Reserve. Cliff walking around St Mary's Bay down to Froward Point. Secluded beaches. The stunning Coleton Fishacre. Views of mouth of Dart Estuary. Kingswear.

Dartmouth to Hallsands

Characteristics of this section. Estuary. Big cliffs before you get to a series of magnificent shingle beaches. Fishing villages. Coastal pubs and wildlife.

Highlights of this section. Dart Estuary views. Dartmouth itself. Warfleet. English Heritage's Dartmouth Castle. Start Bay. The arc of Blackpool Sands. Long shingle beaches of Slapton Sands, Beesands and Hallsands. Wildlife in Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve.

Hallsands to East Portlemouth

Characteristics of this section. Secluded beaches. Quieter stretch of coastline. Magnificent estuary views and blond sand beaches.

Highlights of this section. Start Point. A succession of beautiful, secluded beaches. Rocky foreshore at Prawle Point. Pub at East Prawle. National Trust cliffs. Views of the mouth of The Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary. Blond sand beaches.

Salcombe to Bigbury

Characteristics of this section. Stunning estuary. Huge cliffs. Sandy beaches. Busy with visitors in holiday season between Hope Cove and Bigbury-on-Sea.

Highlights of this section. Salcombe is one of the most beautiful towns in England. The Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary. Massive cliffs west of Bolt Head to Bolt Tail. Stretches of beautiful sand beaches at Hope Cove, South Milton Sands, Thurlestone, Bantham and Bigbury-on-Sea. Burgh Island.

Bigbury to Noss Mayo

Characteristics of this section. Small rock and sand coves. Big low tide sand beach at Wonwell. Cliffs to Wembury. Beautiful estuary villages on the Yealm Estuary.

Highlights of this section. Small sands and rock beaches to huge low tide beach at Wonwell at the mouth of the Erme Estuary. Beautiful cliffs to Wembury Bay. Picture perfect coastal villages on the Yealm Estuary.

Noss Mayo to Mount Batten and Plymouth

Characteristics of this section. Cliffs. Rocky beaches. Big views across Plymouth Sound. Very busy with boats. Forts. Much busier as you approach Mount Batten and Plymouth. Into the city.

Highlights of this section. River Yealm and Estuary. Wembury Bay. Wembury Beach and its National Trust cafe. Rocky beaches. Plymouth Sound. Forts. Views of Plymouth from the beaches that line the east side of Plymouth Sound. Walk to end of breakwater. City views from the park by tower overlooking city.

The following provides ideas for walks along the South West Coast Path by theme.

Estuary

Dawlish Warren around the end of the sand spit with views to Exmouth and then back along coast to the iconic red Langstone Rock before returning to Dawlish Warren.

Ferry from Dartmouth to Dartmouth Castle and back.

Ferry Salcombe to South Sands. Follow South West Coast Path to Sharp Tor then walk back to Salcombe.

Towns

Ferry from Torquay to Brixham and follow South West Coast Path back.

Long beach sections

Torcross to Hallsands and back.

Secluded coves

East Prawle to Start Point and back.

Long cliff sections

South Milton Sands to Bantham Beach and back.

Best viewpoints

South Milton Sands to Bantham Beach and back.