Somerset & North Devon Coast Path Guided Trail

The South West Coast Path: Minehead to Croyde

At a whopping 603 miles long, the South West Coast Path covers Cornwall, North Devon, and West Somerset. Follow this stunning waymarked trail on the section that runs between Minehead in Somerset and Croyde in North Devon – a part of England awarded National Heritage Coast status.

Explore the unique landscape of Exmoor – much of which has remained largely unchanged since smugglers plied the lonely coastline and romantic poets strode out across the moors in search of their muse. All along this walk there are some fantastic views across the Bristol Channel to the Welsh coast and Lundy Island.

The first day’s walk takes you to Selworthy Beacon with spectacular views over the moor and on to Hurlstone Point overlooking the magnificent Porlock Bay. Your experienced guide will lead your group to Hollow Brook – one of the highest waterfalls in Britain, dropping 200 metres to the sea.

It then leads you to the twin villages of Lynmouth and Lynton, connected via a water-powered cliff railway that’s been operating since 1890. There are more rewarding views after a steep climb to the highest point on the Coast Path at Great Hangman: 1043 feet above sea level. After many ups and downs, you’ll feel a great sense of achievement on reaching Croyde.

Great Hangman - coastal path through heather

©Natural England EGWT

Porlock Bay sign post with blue sky behind

©Natural England EGWT

Tour Overview

The icons below highlight the distance, difficulty and theme of this itinerary.

Distance

110km

Days

Grade

Moderate /Challenging

Theme

History /Geology

Landscape Type

By Water

The South West Coast Path: Minehead to Croyde

Every step of the journey has been carefully planned to help you make the most of your walking adventure. Click on the blue tabs below for more information.

Tour Details

This guided trail holiday is operated by HF Holidays – an award-winning British heritage brand that has been leading the way for walking and special interest holidays since 1913.

All HF Holidays Leaders undergo a thorough assessment before guiding a trail, ensuring they’ve got the passion and knowledge to go beyond the guidebook and point out plenty of highlights along the way. One of the biggest advantages is convenience. They’ll take care of all the planning and navigation, leaving you free to focus on the joy of the journey.

Accommodation, food, and transport to and from walks are all included in your holiday price. You’ll stay in one of HF Holidays 16 characterful country houses where comfortable en-suite rooms and full-board come as standard. There’s a cream tea on arrival, a hearty daily breakfast, plus packed lunches, and three-course evening meals. Vegetarian choices and dietary requirements can be catered for (please give advance notice when booking).

HF Holidays grade this walk as a Level 3 – Medium to Challenging

Walks follow well-defined paths, though often in hilly or upland areas, or along rugged coastal footpaths. These may be rough or steep in sections and will require reasonable fitness.

To find out more about this itinerary and make an enquiry or a booking, click on the Enquire Now button at the top of the page. The Save to My Rucksack button allows you to save itineraries to view later, or to download them as a PDF.

Itinerary

This wild section of coast takes us from the hills and woodland of Exmoor National Park to the cliffs of North Devon. Highlights include the charming twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth, the Valley of Rocks, and Heddon’s Mouth.

Day 1 - Arrival

Your leader will give an introductory talk about the holiday.

Day 2 - Minehead to Porlock Weir

From the seafront at Minehead, we ascend gradually to a high-level cliff path which takes us to Hurlstone Point, either via Selworthy Beacon or via a wilder and more rugged coastal path. From Hurlstone we continue to Bossington village and westwards to Porlock Weir across Porlock Marsh. 14.5-16km / 9-10 miles with 330 – 420m of ascent.

Day 3 - Porlock Weir to Lynmouth

Leaving the shore, we make our way through woodland to the cliff path and on to Culbone Church, the smallest parish church in England and the woodland path through Glenthorne Estate. The path then becomes more remote, overlooking parts of the cliff edge with some fine viewpoints. We continue to Countisbury Hill and a spectacular cliff path which takes us down to Lynmouth. 20km / 12.5 miles with 420m of ascent.

Day 4 - Rest Day

A day without any walks programmed, giving you the opportunity to explore the local area independently.

Day 5 - Lynmouth to Trentishoe Down

From Lynmouth, we take the path near the cliff railway which winds uphill to Lynton, and then follow the North Walk along the seaward side of Hollerday Hill and into the Valley of Rocks. After a descent almost to sea level, we climb steeply up out of Heddons Mouth Cleave then follow the high level path west above East Cleave and inland for Trentishoe Down and Holdstone Down. 15km / 9 miles with 540m of ascent.

Day 6 - Trentishoe Down to Ilfracombe Harbour

Day 7 - Ilfracombe Harbour to Croyde Bay

From Ilfracombe we ascend via the spectacular Torrs Walk to the old coast track on the open downs. From Lee to Woolacombe the coast path hugs the cliffs and has a remote feel to it, with many ascents and descents. The path takes us out to Baggy Point, our most westerly point, with its fine views of Lundy Island. We follow the track east to the finishing point at Croyde Bay. 21km / 13 miles, with 480m of ascent.

Day 8 - Departure Day

Depart after breakfast for your return travel.

Accommodation

Accommodation on this holiday is at Harrington House – HF Holidays’ characterful country property just a skip away from Exmoor National Park. Mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, there have been at least four successive houses of varying sizes built at the manor of Holnicote over a 500-year period. Nowadays you’ll find 32 well-appointed guest rooms in three categories (Classic, Premium, and Superior), two comfortable lounges, peaceful gardens, a croquet lawn, plus a handy boot and drying room.

Travel

Air

Fly to Bristol or Exeter then train and bus to Minehead. Taunton is the nearest mainline railway station.

Rail

The nearest railway station to Holnicote House is at Taunton. For train times and general rail enquiries call 03457 484950 (24hrs) or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk. If phoning from outside the UK call +44 (0)20 7278 5240.

Local taxi transfer

The 30-mile journey from Taunton railway station is just under an hour. You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended company, Bossington Private Hire*.

As of 2023, the guide price for a 4-seat taxi is around £60. A shared taxi will be arranged wherever possible. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:

Bossington Private Hire
Tel: +44 (0)7971 044871
Email: inbossington@gmail.com

A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Holnicote House.

*Bossington Private Hire is not owned or managed by HF Holidays and prices are subject to change

Car Parking

There’s free car parking at Holnicote House if you decide to drive.

From Bridgwater take the A39 though the southern outskirts of Minehead towards
Porlock. You’ll find Holnicote House on the left about four and a half miles out of
Minehead.

Bus

The number 28 bus runs between Taunton station and Minehead, taking around one
and a half hours. At Minehead, change to the number 10 bus to the Selworthy turn
(at the end of Holnicote House drive). A two-minute walk along the drive will bring
you to the house.

For bus times, check Traveline.

Advice

This guided trail holiday involves walking as a group on well-defined paths, though often in hilly or upland areas. These may be rough and steep in sections and will require a good level of fitness. HF Holidays want you to be confident that you can meet the demands of each walking day and get the most out of your trip. Please be sure you can manage the mileage and ascent detailed in the daily itineraries. It is important for your own enjoyment and that of your fellow guests that you can maintain the pace.

Food & Drink

HF Holidays has 16 UK country houses where all stays come with full-board as standard. There’s a cream tea on arrival, a daily cooked or continental breakfast, a wide range of packed lunch options, plus three-course evening meals. Vegetarian choices and dietary requirements can be catered for (please give advance notice when booking).