Itinerary
- Day 1
Plymouth
You'll arrive at your hotel in Plymouth, positioned right between the waterfront at Plymouth Hoe and the train station, just a 10-minute walk from each. Once settled, the afternoon is yours to wander around at your own pace. Check out Plymouth Hoe itself, then head to the Barbican with its historic streets, pop into the Elizabethan House to get a sense of period life, and if you're interested in marine life, the National Marine Aquarium is right there too. Take it slow and get your bearings before the walking starts tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Plymouth Hoe
- Visit Barbican
- Visit Elizabethan House
- Visit National Marine Aquarium
Landmarks/POIs Plymouth Hoe Barbican Elizabethan House National Marine Aquarium - Day 2
Plymouth to Wembury
Start your day by catching the ferry from Barbican Quay across the River Plym to Mount Batten. From there, you'll pick up the coastal path with water views opening up as you go. The walk takes you up through wooded cliff tops toward Staddon Heights, where you'll find old Victorian military structures and get clear sightlines out to the Breakwater, Plymouth Sound, and the Great Mewstone. It's a solid day covering around 7 miles with some elevation, and the views justify every step.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing from Barbican Quay to Mount Batten
- Coastal path walk with views of Plymouth Sound
- Walk through Staddon Heights with historic Victorian military defences
Landmarks/POIs Barbican Quay Mount Batten Plymouth Sound Staddon Heights Great Mewstone - Day 3
Wembury to Kingston or Modbury
Take the ferry from Warren Point across to Noss Mayo at Yealm Estuary. After crossing, walk through Passage Wood as it runs alongside the river to Mouthstone Point. From there, head along the cliffs toward Stoke Beach, then make the climb up to Beacon Hill. Continue on toward Meadowsfoot Beach at Mothecombe, and later in the afternoon you'll need to wade across the Erme Estuary to reach your lodging for the night. It's a longer day around 9 miles, so pace yourself accordingly.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing from Warren Point to Noss Mayo
- Walk through Passage Wood alongside the river
- Coastal path walk with views of Wembury Bay
- Walk to Beacon Hill
- Wade across Erme Estuary
Optional Activities
- Arrange local taxi across Erme Estuary (approximately £35 one way)
Landmarks/POIs Warren Point Noss Mayo Yealm Estuary Passage Wood Mouthstone Point Wembury Bay Beacon Hill Meadowsfoot Beach Mothecombe Erme Estuary - Day 4
Kingston or Modbury to Hope Cove
This leg starts through Wrinkle Wood, then follows cliffs while skirting Wonwell Beach. Walk out to the quieter stretches at Westcombe and Ayrmer where you'll see Burgh Island and the South Hams landscape spread out before you. Later, you'll take the ferry across from Cockleridge Ham to Bantham over the Avon Estuary. From Bantham, it's a relatively easy walk along lower cliffs past Thurlestone and by South Milton Ley Nature Reserve as you head toward Hope Cove. Roughly 8 miles, and the scenery is varied throughout.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk through Wrinkle Wood
- Walk along cliff tops with views of Burgh Island
- Ferry crossing from Cockleridge Ham to Bantham
- Walk to Thurlestone
- Walk past South Milton Ley Nature Reserve
Landmarks/POIs Wrinkle Wood Wonwell Beach Westcombe Ayrmer Burgh Island South Hams Cockleridge Ham Avon Estuary Bantham Thurlestone South Milton Ley Nature Reserve - Day 5
Hope Cove to Salcombe
Head toward Bolt Tail through a small wooded section before breaking out onto open ground where the views across Bigbury Bay spread wide. On clear days you can actually spot Dodman Point over in Cornwall. Make your way to Bolberry Down and continue along the cliff edge toward Soar Mill Cove, which sits tucked away and feels quite isolated. Pass by Overbeck's Garden on your descent, and then you'll drop down to Salcombe's South Sands Beach. About 7 miles with some good elevation changes, so it's a moderately demanding day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk to Bolt Tail
- Walk through Bolberry Down
- Visit Overbeck's Garden
- Walk to South Sands Beach, Salcombe
Landmarks/POIs Bolt Tail Bigbury Bay Dodman Point Bolberry Down Soar Mill Cove Bolt Head Overbeck's Garden South Sands Beach - Day 6
Salcombe to Beesands or Stokenham
Morning ferry from Salcombe across to East Portlemouth gets you onto one of the more remote stretches of the South Devon path. You'll encounter short climbs and rocky ground as you work up to Portlemouth Down, which offers solid estuary views. Keep moving along the 'Swine Trail' cliffs past Gara Beach, then approach Prawle Point carefully since it's Devon's most southerly tip and the cliffs here need respect. Finish at Start Point where the lighthouse stands. This is a technical day around 8 miles with some tricky sections, so stay focused on footing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing from Salcombe to East Portlemouth
- Walk through remote sections of South Devon Coastal Path
- Walk to Portlemouth Down
- Walk past Gara Beach
- Round Prawle Point
- Walk to Start Point with iconic lighthouse
Landmarks/POIs Salcombe Estuary East Portlemouth Portlemouth Down Gara Beach Swine Trail Prawle Point Start Point Start Point Lighthouse - Day 7
Beesands or Stokenham to Dartmouth
Walk climbs through woods near the old Beesands Quarry, then opens onto Slapton Sands with Slapton Ley Nature Reserve nearby. The reserve offers good views both directions along the coast. You'll move through a few small villages as the path continues, then head toward the Dart Estuary entrance. Follow the coastal markers to Dartmouth Castle, where you can spend time learning about the structure's history and its role as a port fortress. Around 7 miles, fairly moderate once you clear the wooded sections.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk through Beesands Quarry
- Cross Slapton Sands
- Walk through Slapton Ley Nature Reserve
- Visit Dartmouth Castle and learn about historic building and port
Landmarks/POIs Beesands Quarry Slapton Sands Slapton Ley Nature Reserve Dart Estuary Dartmouth Castle Dartmouth - Day 8
Dartmouth
This morning you'll arrange a taxi or drive to Totnes train station, about 30 minutes from where you finish. From there, rail connections head out in various directions depending on where you're headed next. It's a straightforward conclusion to the walk, though you might want to grab lunch before heading to the station if timing works out.
Landmarks/POIs Totnes Railway Station
