Top Devon coastal walks: the 2026 route guide
Devon’s top coastal walks are defined by their place on two great trail frameworks: the South West Coast Path, which stretches 630 miles from Minehead to Poole Harbour, and the newly completed King Charles III England Coast Path, whose Devon sections opened in December 2025. Together, these routes give walkers access to some of the most varied coastal scenery in Britain, from the dramatic cliffs of North Devon to the sheltered estuaries and sandy coves of the south. Whether you are planning a single day out or a multi-day Devon coastal hiking route, this guide covers the routes worth knowing, the practical details that matter, and the local resources that make planning straightforward.
1. Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth
This North Devon stretch is one of the most rewarding Devon seaside walking paths for experienced hikers. The route follows the newly improved King Charles III England Coast Path from the village of Combe Martin westward to Marsland Mouth on the Cornwall border. Expect dramatic cliff-top walking, deep wooded valleys, and views across the Bristol Channel to Wales on clear days. The terrain is genuinely challenging, with significant ascent and descent at every headland.
2. Cremyll to Kingswear
The south coast section of the King Charles III England Coast Path runs from Cremyll, just across the Tamar from Plymouth, all the way to Kingswear opposite Dartmouth. This is one of the best walks in Devon for sheer variety: you pass through fishing villages, cross estuaries by ferry, and walk above some of the most sheltered anchorages in England. The south coast path crosses seven estuaries, six by ferry and one only at low tide, which makes planning essential.
3. Salcombe to Bolt Head
This circular walk from Salcombe is one of the finest scenic walks on Devon’s coast for moderate walkers. The route climbs out of the estuary town, follows the cliff edge to Bolt Head with its views across Bigbury Bay, and returns via the Salcombe estuary shore. The headland geology here is ancient schist, giving the cliffs a distinctive silvery-grey colour. Distance is roughly seven miles with around 1,000 feet of ascent.
4. Elberry Cove to Churston Cove
At around 4.5 miles, this walk near Brixham packs in woodland, meadows, and historic sites alongside coastal views across Torbay. The route passes Battery Gardens, connects with the John Musgrave Heritage Trail, and has well-documented links to Agatha Christie, who swam at Elberry Cove regularly. Terrain is mixed: easy along the cove but with a steep ascent above Churston. This is one of the more accessible top hiking spots in Devon for those wanting heritage alongside scenery.
Pro Tip: Agatha Christie fans should look for the small beach at Elberry Cove that features in her autobiography. It is rarely busy even in summer because there is no car park directly adjacent.
5. Wembury and Heybrook Bay circular
At four miles, this South Devon walk is one of the most popular short coastal routes offered by the South Devon National Landscape. The walk starts at Wembury Beach, passes the Great Mewstone sea stack offshore, and follows the cliff path to Heybrook Bay before returning inland. The rock pools at Wembury are among the richest in Devon and are managed as a voluntary Marine Conservation Area. This is an excellent choice for families or anyone wanting a shorter outing without sacrificing coastal drama.
6. Wembury Beach and Yealm Estuary circular
Also four miles and downloadable from the South Devon National Landscape walk hub, this route extends the Wembury experience by dropping into the Yealm Estuary at Newton Ferrers. The estuary is tidal, so the timing of your walk affects what you see: at high tide the creek fills completely and the village of Noss Mayo reflects in still water. At low tide, wading birds work the mudflats. This is one of those Devon coastal trail routes that rewards walkers who pay attention to the tide table rather than ignoring it.
7. Slapton Sands and Torcross
Slapton Sands is one of the most unusual landscapes on the South Devon coast. A three-mile shingle bar separates the sea from Slapton Ley, the largest natural freshwater lake in South West England. The walk along the bar between Torcross and Strete Gate is flat and exposed, making it genuinely easy for all abilities. The American Sherman tank memorial at Torcross marks the site of the 1944 Exercise Tiger disaster, giving this walk a sobering historical dimension that most visitors do not expect.
8. Croyde to Saunton Sands
On the North Devon coast, this walk connects two of Devon’s most celebrated surf beaches across the headland of Baggy Point. The improved path at Croyde now runs above the high tide line following King Charles III England Coast Path upgrades, removing a section that was previously impassable in winter. Baggy Point is managed by the National Trust and offers some of the best birdwatching on the north coast, particularly for peregrine falcons in spring. Distance is around five miles with moderate ascent.
9. Dartmouth to Blackpool Sands
This section of the South Devon coast path is one of the most photogenic Devon coastal hiking routes for autumn walking. The path drops from the cliffs above Dartmouth Castle, passes through Compass Cove, and arrives at the private shingle beach of Blackpool Sands, which is sheltered by steep wooded slopes. The path improvements at Blackpool Sands completed in 2025 have significantly improved the off-road connectivity here. Distance is around six miles return.
10. Appledore to Westward Ho!
This short North Devon walk connects two very different settlements: the historic shipbuilding village of Appledore and the Victorian resort of Westward Ho!. The route follows the Taw-Torridge estuary shore before joining the coast at Northam Burrows Country Park, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The pebble ridge at Northam Burrows is one of the most geologically significant features on the North Devon coast, maintained entirely by wave action. Distance is around four miles on mostly flat terrain.
How to plan Devon coastal walks around tides and ferries
Tide timing is the single most important planning factor for Devon coastal walks, and most walkers underestimate it. The south coast path crosses seven estuaries, and the logic of planning must start from the crossing point rather than the start of the walk. Work backwards from the ferry timetable or the low-tide window, then add buffer time for the approach.
Here is a practical planning sequence for any tide-dependent Devon coastal route:
- Identify every estuary crossing on your planned route and note whether it uses a ferry or a low-tide ford.
- Check the ferry operating season and daily timetable. Several South Devon ferries run summer only.
- Look up the tide table for your crossing date using the UK National Tide Gauge Network or the Met Office tide predictions tool.
- Calculate your arrival time at the crossing, then work backwards to set your start time.
- Add at least 30 minutes of buffer at each crossing point. Coastal paths take longer than maps suggest.
Pro Tip: The Kingsbridge Estuary ferry and the Salcombe to East Portlemouth ferry both have limited operating hours. Missing either can add several miles to your day. Always check the day before, not the morning of.
The Cicerone South West Coast Path guide recommends spring and autumn as the best seasons for Devon coastal walking. Summer brings crowds to popular sections and car parks fill early. Winter walking is possible on most routes but some ferries stop running and cliff paths can be slippery after rain.
Local walk hubs and landscape trusts supporting Devon’s coast
The South Devon National Landscape is the most practical resource for walkers who want shorter or circular routes that connect with the main coastal trail. Their downloadable walks cover a wide range of distances and abilities, with many under five miles. This matters because the South West Coast Path itself is a challenging trail with a total ascent of over 114,000 feet across its full length, roughly four times the height of Mount Everest. Day walkers need manageable sections, and the landscape trust provides exactly that.
Key resources for planning Devon coastal hiking routes:
- South Devon National Landscape at southdevon-nl.org.uk offers free downloadable route cards with OS grid references and parking details.
- Natural England manages the King Charles III England Coast Path and publishes route information and access updates for the Devon sections.
- The National Trust maintains several key headlands including Baggy Point, Bolt Head, and Sharpitor above Salcombe, with their own trail information.
- Devon County Council publishes a Rights of Way map that is particularly useful for identifying alternative inland return routes when the coast path is tide-affected.
| Resource | Best used for |
|---|---|
| South Devon National Landscape | Short circular walks under five miles |
| Natural England KCIIIECP pages | Full route planning and access updates |
| National Trust trail guides | Headland walks with heritage context |
| Devon County Council Rights of Way | Inland alternatives and path status |
Choosing the right walk for your ability and occasion
The SWCP’s total ascent of over 114,000 feet means that even short sections can be demanding. Choosing the right route for your group’s fitness and the occasion is more important than simply picking the most scenic option.
| Walk | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Slapton Sands bar | Easy | Families, casual walkers, wheelchair users on the road section |
| Wembury and Heybrook Bay | Easy to moderate | Families, first-time coastal walkers |
| Elberry Cove to Churston Cove | Moderate | Day walkers wanting heritage and coast |
| Salcombe to Bolt Head | Moderate | Fit day walkers, good footwear required |
| Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth | Challenging | Experienced hikers, multi-day walkers |
For families, the outdoor activities available along Devon’s coast extend well beyond walking. Rock pooling at Wembury, coasteering near Croyde, and kayaking on the Yealm Estuary all pair naturally with a shorter coastal walk. Seasonal considerations matter too: the Cicerone guide identifies spring and autumn as the optimal seasons for coast path walking in Devon, with quieter paths, better light for photography, and more reliable ferry services than the winter months.
For gear, coastal Devon walking requires waterproofs regardless of the forecast, trail shoes with grip on wet rock, and a tide table printed or downloaded offline. Mobile signal is unreliable on many cliff sections.
Key takeaways
Devon’s top coastal walks are best planned around the South West Coast Path and King Charles III England Coast Path frameworks, with tide and ferry schedules dictating the structure of every day on the south coast.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Use established trail frameworks | The SWCP and King Charles III England Coast Path provide the backbone for all top Devon coastal routes. |
| Plan from crossing points outward | Tide windows and ferry timetables should set your start time, not the other way around. |
| Use local landscape hubs | South Devon National Landscape offers free downloadable routes ideal for shorter day walks. |
| Match difficulty to your group | Even short sections of the SWCP involve significant ascent; check elevation before committing. |
| Walk in spring or autumn | Quieter paths, better light, and fully operational ferries make these the strongest seasons. |
What I have learned walking Devon’s coast
The section of coast between Salcombe and Bolt Head is the one I return to most. Not because it is the longest or the most dramatic, but because it changes completely depending on the season and the light. In January, the schist cliffs go almost black against a grey sea. In May, the same cliffs are covered in thrift and the water turns a colour you would not believe without seeing it. That kind of variation is what separates Devon’s coast from anywhere else I have walked in England.
The most overlooked section, in my experience, is the Appledore to Westward Ho! route. Most walkers head straight for Croyde or Saunton and miss the estuary entirely. The Northam Burrows pebble ridge is one of those genuinely strange landforms that stops you walking and makes you think about how the coast actually works. It is free, it is flat, and it is almost always quiet.
My practical advice: do not try to walk too far on your first day on the SWCP. The memorable moments on a coastal walk come from stopping, not from covering distance. The path will still be there tomorrow.
— Mark
Discover Devon’s coast with The Devon Drop
Devon’s coastline rewards those who plan well and explore beyond the obvious. At The Devon Drop, we cover the full range of Devon experiences, from the best coastal walking routes to places to stay, eat, and explore after a day on the path.
If you are planning a walking trip and want to make the most of your time in Devon, our guides cover everything from Devon hotels and stays to local food producers and hidden village gems. Devon is a county that rewards the curious, and we are here to help you find the parts of it that most visitors never reach.
FAQ
What is the best coastal walk in Devon for beginners?
The Wembury and Heybrook Bay circular walk is four miles on mostly clear cliff paths and is widely regarded as one of the most accessible coastal routes in South Devon. Slapton Sands is an equally good option for those wanting completely flat terrain.
How long is the South West Coast Path in Devon?
The South West Coast Path runs 630 miles in total from Minehead to Poole Harbour, with a substantial portion following the Devon coastline on both the north and south coasts.
Do I need to book ferries in advance on the Devon coast path?
Most South Devon ferries operate on a turn-up basis, but checking timetables in advance is critical because several run summer only and have limited daily hours. Missing a ferry can add several miles to your route.
When is the best time of year to walk the Devon coast?
Spring and autumn are the optimal seasons for Devon coastal walking. Summer brings crowds and full car parks; winter walking is possible but some ferries stop and cliff paths become slippery after rain.
Are Devon coastal walks suitable for families with young children?
Several routes are well suited to families, including Slapton Sands, Wembury Beach, and the Elberry Cove to Churston Cove walk near Brixham. These offer manageable distances, points of interest for children, and relatively straightforward terrain.