The Wild Southwest Coast of England: South West Coast Path from Minehead to Westward Ho!
Discover the most beautiful coastal walking route in Great Britain
Rugged cliffs, mysterious forests, seals along the coast, and tiny churches tucked away in the greenery. During this 9-day hiking trip, you’ll walk the first section of the famous South West Coast Path, from Minehead to the surfing town of Westward Ho! in North Devon. A journey brimming with nature, history, and British charm. And with a new view every day.
You’ll stay in cozy B&Bs and small hotels, your luggage will be transported for you, and you’ll have complete freedom to hike at your own pace. Ready for a “coastal escape” with fresh sea air, tea breaks at harbor cafés, and plenty of natural beauty?
You can request this trip through us by contacting our local specialist—simply fill out the form below to request a quote. Your accommodations, luggage transport, and personalized itineraries will then be arranged. You’ll need to arrange your own transportation to the destination.
Why Hike the South West Coast Path from Minehead to Westward
You’ll walk along England’s highest cliffs
Hidden coves, waterfalls, and the iconic Valley of Rocks
You’ll follow parts of the literary Tarka Trail
You walk from village to village, without a backpack
You truly experience the coast, with plenty of room for reflection and tranquility
Day-by-Day Itinerary for the South West Coast Path: Minehead to Westward Ho
Day 1: Arrival in Minehead
You’ll arrive on your own in the charming coastal town of Minehead, where the South West Coast Path officially begins. This is where Exmoor National Park meets the sea. Explore the boardwalk or climb up to the monument on the cliff for a sneak peek.
Day 2: From Minehead to Porlock Weir (14.5 km)
Today, your hiking adventure really begins. You can choose between a leisurely trail through farmland or an adventurous route along the cliffs with sweeping views of the Bristol Channel. You’ll end up in the picturesque little fishing village of Porlock Weir.
Day 3: From Porlock Weir to Lynmouth (18 km)
After a steep climb, you’ll walk past England’s smallest parish church: Culbone Church. You can choose between a wooded route steeped in history or open landscapes with ocean views. Either way, it’s breathtaking.
Day 4: From Lynmouth to Combe Martin (22 km)
One of the highlights of the trip. You’ll pass through the surreal Valley of Rocks, climb the Great Hangman (the highest cliff on the trail!), and descend to the lively town of Combe Martin.
Day 5: From Combe Martin to Woolacombe (23 km)
Today you’ll walk along the rugged north coast, from Lee Bay to Morte Point. Keep an eye out for seals and rare birds in this Nature reserve, which has SSSI status. End point: the surfing town of Woolacombe.
Day 6: From Woolacombe to Braunton (24 km)
You’ll walk through the impressive Braunton Burrows, England’s largest dune system. There’s less climbing today, but plenty of natural beauty—with rare flora and fauna along the way.
Day 7: From Braunton to Instow (20 km)
Along the River Taw, you’ll follow the “Tarka Trail” over old railroad tracks and bridges. Along the way, you’ll pass through medieval Barnstaple and end up in charming Instow, full of old pubs and sea breezes.
Day 8: From Instow to Westward Ho! (19 km)
The final leg takes you through Appledore and along the rugged coast of Northam Burrows to your final destination: Westward Ho! With surfers in the background and a stunning view as your reward.
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, your hiking trip comes to an end. Your mind is clear, and your camera is full.
Accommodations & Comfort
You’ll stay in welcoming B&Bs, lodges, small hotels, pubs, or inns. Every morning, you’ll start with a hearty British breakfast. Your luggage will be transported daily, so you’ll only need to carry your daypack. In many places, you can also order packed lunches or stop at a local café.
Book this trip through our local partner
Would you like to experience this trip for yourself? We work with an experienced and reliable local agent. They’ll take care of accommodations, itinerary details, luggage transport, and support along the way.
Prices per person based on double occupancy
April 1–20 and October: €1,068
April 21–May 19 and September: €1,094
May 20–August 31: €1,102
Included
8 nights with breakfast
Luggage transport (1 bag weighing up to 20 kg per person)
A digital app with all your booking details, a personalized route, GPX routes, and detailed information.
You’ll also receive a link to download all this information as a PDF for your own roadbook.
Not included
Transport to Minehead
You can order and pay for packed lunches on the spot, but you’ll also find plenty of nice little cafes along the way
Dinner (there are plenty of options here as well)
Your travel information will tell you where you can have lunch and, if necessary, where you can wash and dry your clothes
Request a quote for the South West Coast Path: Minehead to Westward Ho!
When you request a quote, we’ll forward it to our local partner, who will confirm it directly with you if approved. You’ll pay the same price (or less) as if you were booking directly. You’ll handle the rest of the booking and payment directly with the local provider (with whom we have a good working relationship and established agreements). We are always available to answer any questions you may have.
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Practical Information: South West Coast Path from Minehead to Westward Ho!
Duration: late March through mid-October
Difficulty: moderate (level 3/5), suitable for anyone in good physical condition
Not suitable for children under 13 years of age
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Luggage transport: included (1 bag up to 20 kg)
Navigation: with a handy app and a personalized route book
Transportation: Minehead is easily accessible by train via London to Bodmin Parkway, and from there by bus. From there, it’s just a short taxi ride to your accommodations. It’s recommended to buy train tickets in advance. By car (including the ferry crossing), the trip takes about 8.5 hours. The drive or taxi ride back to Minehead from Westward Ho is about 1.5 hours.
Rates for single occupancy available upon request
South West Coast Path from Minehead to Westward Ho! on the map
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
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A really beautiful six-day hike from Bologna to Florence. Communication with NatureTravelLab and the local agent was excellent. The information packet was waiting for us at the hotel in Bologna, and the app with the route worked great. Luggage transport was well organized every day, and our bags were waiting for us each time we arrived at our new room! We covered more than 1,400 meters of elevation gain, but unfortunately didn’t always get the views we’d hoped for due to cloud cover and some drizzle. Most days had great hiking weather. It was wonderful to walk into Florence on foot and stay there an extra day.
We experienced the Walk of the Gods as a great adventure. Our start in Bologna didn’t go quite as planned because our app wasn’t working yet and we couldn’t find a single sign for Via degli Dei in the square. Fortunately, we were quickly able to join two young hikers from Florence who were also doing the hike. After a wonderful night’s stay at the beautiful Rio Verde agritourism farm, Day 2 went much better with the help of the hiking app. Along the way, we enjoyed stunning views, met some great fellow hikers, and sampled delicious local dishes. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t always on our side, and we had a day of heavy rain, which made the trail very slippery and required us to be careful. It’s a real treat when, on the last day, you can already see Florence in the distance and walk into this beautiful city a few hours later. Thank you so much for your quick and friendly responses to all our questions.
We enjoyed the trip. We also made some changes to our itinerary, and the email correspondence went very smoothly. We started in Mantera; the next day, our first and only hike was a really beautiful one. The taxi picked us up right on time. Unfortunately, the second day’s route was almost the same when we cycled to Ostuni. The bikes were well-maintained, including panniers and helmets (these were simply included). You could even bring your own water bottle!!! We found the route very scenic and varied. There were charming little villages where we could stop for lunch or coffee. The app worked great. All the hotels ranged from good to excellent, though we didn’t think the hotel in Leuca was worthy of 4 stars. We followed your advice for the two nights we stayed there. We found Leuca a bit underwhelming for a two-day stay. We would have preferred to stay in Gallipoli or Lecce for two days. We took this trip in April and were very lucky with the weather. It’s still a quiet time of year, but we didn’t mind that. We definitely recommend it!!!
Thanks to a great tip from Nature Travel Lab, we had a wonderful week in Italy. Fattoria di Maiano, just outside Florence, was a beautiful and peaceful place. And the suggested road trips were a great guide for exploring the region. We’ll definitely check here for tips for our next vacation, too. Highly recommended!
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Looks fantastic! I'm definitely going to book a trip with this company... they're committed to sustainability and personalized advice. Definitely worth it.
Madelon and her team are true experts. Thanks to their years of experience and passion for travel, they manage to surprise us time and time again.
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If you’re looking for travel itineraries, the most beautiful hikes, and destinations, you can find it all here. You’ll find endless inspiration for your next trip. Beautiful cities are interspersed with nature. You’ll find everything you need to know about practical matters. Plus, there are plenty of tips for sustainable travel. That way, you’ll get the most out of your trip.
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