If you’ve never heard of it, the SWCP is the UK’s longest national trail. It stretches all the way from Minehead in Somerset, around the rugged cliffs of North Devon, through Cornwall’s wild Atlantic edge, along the Jurassic Coast of Dorset, and finally ends in Poole Harbour. In other words: it’s a big one.
🥾 630 miles from start to finish
🗺️ It involves 115,000 feet of ascent and descent – that’s four times the height of Everest
⛱️ You pass through 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
🦭 You might spot dolphins, seals, and the occasional puffin
🚶♀️ Around 9 million steps, give or take, depending on leg length and snack breaks
The South West Coast Path Journey Continues… Day 11 – Hartland Quay to Bude (16.3 miles) “The toughest day of the whole coastal path” – and yet, strangely, one of the most rewarding. Today’s stretch from Hartland Quay to Bude was billed as the hardest on the South West Coast Path – with over 4,000 feet of elevation and a rollercoaster of around 13 ascents and descents. And …
After 11 days of walking (and one glorious rest day), we thought we’d give a few stats about our journey on the South West Coast Path so far – from Minehead to Bude. It’s been, brutal, hilarious, emotional and everything in between. Here’s a look at the adventure in numbers – and a few fun comparisons to show just how far we’ve come… Total Days …
From Braunton to Hartland Quay – Finding Rhythm, Rest Days, and Real Coastal Beauty Day 6: The Brookfield, Braunton ➝ The Wayfarer Inn, Instow – 13.5 miles Today was a slog for me (Matt). The route was flat, but the tarmac and chunky gravel just battered my feet, and the sun seemed relentless all day. With no hills you’d think it’d be a breeze, but …
Porlock to Braunton: Rhododendrons, Rock Beaches and the Great Hangman The second leg of our South West Coast Path adventure has delivered more climbs, aching feet, and unforgettable moments than we could have planned for. From Porlock to Braunton, we covered over 63 miles of stunning coastline, experienced soaring highs (literally), met a few legends along the way, and learned that there’s only so much vegan stodge two …
A Sunny Start, Stunning Views, and a Well-Earned Pint We’ve officially kicked off our South West Coast Path adventure — and what a start it’s been! After a restful night at The Old Ship Aground in Minehead (great spot, right by the harbour), we set off with fresh legs, high hopes, and the kind of excitement that only a long-distance walk can bring. Saying Goodbye to Minehead …
Even though we’re using a company to move our main cases on to each stop, we still needed to think about every eventuality. We head to Minehead on Monday, and on Tuesday morning, it all kicks off. The challenge begins—legs, lungs, blisters and all. Before we get to the actual walking, though, we’ve had to tackle something nearly as tricky: packing. And as it turns …
And just like that… the training walks are done. This weekend we laced up for one final outing before the real adventure begins – a lovely loop around Tegg’s Nose with our good friends Gareth and Vicky, who’ve been absolute legends throughout our preparation. It was the perfect send-off: rolling hills, good conversation, a solid gear test, and – of course – a very important coffee and lunch stop (because …
So, in just a few days, we’ll be setting off to walk the entire South West Coast Path — and lately, we’ve been getting one question more than any other: Why? My usual answer is, “Why not?” But while that’s still true, it probably doesn’t quite do it justice. So here are a few better reasons — the deeper whys behind this crazy, beautiful challenge… …
All 630 Miles of It – Hopefully With Both Legs Still Attached! It’s official – we’re doing it. Starting 13th May, we’re setting off on an epic, slightly bonkers mission to walk the entire South West Coast Path. That’s 630 miles of stunning coastline, steep climbs, hidden coves, dodgy tan lines and hopefully a fair few (vegan) ice creams. If all goes to plan (and the legs hold out), …
