"Magnificent coastal scenery, far-reaching views, wild flowers, seabirds and seals – a North Devon classic."
Walk directions
From the car park turn right along the lane, signed ‘Baggy Point’, between houses, soon passing through stone gateposts onto the cliffs. Follow the tarmac way past the entrance to Croyde Hoe Farm, and past houses behind shelter belts of tamarisk.
Where the tarmac way leads towards a contemporary building, bear slightly left on the Coast Path to pass a big chunk of whalebone, washed up on the beach in 1915.
Pass a small wildlife pond built by the Hyde family – who gave Baggy Point to the National Trust in 1939 – and go through a gate. Reach a footpath junction and keep ahead on the Coast Path, soon passing steps on the right which lead down to the beach and rockpools below. This easy stretch of Coast Path ascends gently towards the vertical cliffs off Baggy Point. Look out for wild flowers in spring and summer: pink thrift, blue scabious, white bladder campion, yellow tormentil and honeysuckle.
Follow the path sharp right (or keep ahead on to The Promontory) and through a gate, overlooking dramatic Slab Cove. Turn left beside the wire fence, and keep ahead to pass a rocket pole, used in life-saving exercises. Meet a wall corner and continue, with the wall to your right, with fabulous views to Morte Point and 3-mile (4.8km) long Woolacombe Sand, backed by dunes. At the end of the wall pass through a gate.
Reach a path junction by a bench and bear right, signed to the car park. Cross a stile and keep ahead uphill, with a hedgebank on the left. Crest the hilltop, then drop gently to cross a stile and continue in the same direction.
When level with Croyde Hoe Farm (right), turn left over a stile, and go along the top left edge of the field. Turn right at the end and drop to pass through a gate at the head of a small combe. Continue uphill, and where the wall on your left ends, keep ahead to the top of Middleborough Hill.
Bear left past a bench, and continue left round the viewpoint to a footpath post. Keep ahead on a narrow path that descends steeply through gorse to pass through gateposts, and then through a kissing gate into a field. Head downhill, aiming for a stile in the middle of the car park.
This walk makes a good introduction to the South West Coast Path – the path is relatively easy and the views exceptionally good. Baggy Point is within the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the coastal scenery here is truly magnificent. The Devonian rocks date back 370 million... years, and the rugged cliffs – made up of sandstone, shale, slate and limestone – rise in places to about 200ft (61m). In 1799 HMS Weazle was driven on to rocks off the end of Baggy Point, with the loss of all 106 lives on board. The point’s hard sandstone faces are a popular seacliff climbing venue, comprising three main collections of south-facing slabs – you may see climbers as you approach the gate at Point 4. The many climbing routes rejoice in such wonderful names such as Scrattling Zawn, Kinky Cowboy, Twinkletoes and – possibly less appealing – Death on a Stick. Henry Williamson As you pass through the gate at Point 3 you will see an inscription to the North Devon writer Henry Williamson (1895–1977), who took his inspiration from the Devon coast and countryside. He rented a cottage in Georgeham – just inland from Croyde – in 1921, and moved with his family to South Molton in 1929. Williamson’s most famous novel, Tarka the Otter – the story of the life and death of an otter, born on the River Torridge – was published in 1927. Williamson wrote extensively about local nature and countryside, and produced more than 50 books.
Devon sums up all that is best about the British landscape, with its magnificent coastlines, two historic cities, the world-famous Dartmoor National Park and south Devon’s glorious English Riviera. A fashionable and much-loved holiday destination, hiking and cycling in the National Parks is extremely popular among visitors, with a great choice of off-road routes.
"Magnificent coastal scenery, far-reaching views, wild flowers, seabirds and seals – a North Devon classic."
Walk details
1hr 30min
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Moderate
Distance:
2.75 miles (4.4kms)
Ascent:
197ft (60m)
Walk directions
From the car park turn right along the lane, signed ‘Baggy Point’, between houses, soon passing through stone gateposts onto the cliffs. Follow the tarmac way past the entrance to Croyde Hoe Farm, and past houses behind shelter belts of tamarisk.
1 of 7
Where the tarmac way leads towards a contemporary building, bear slightly left on the Coast Path to pass a big chunk of whalebone, washed up on the beach in 1915.
2 of 7
Pass a small wildlife pond built by the Hyde family – who gave Baggy Point to the National Trust in 1939 – and go through a gate. Reach a footpath junction and keep ahead on the Coast Path, soon passing steps on the right which lead down to the beach and rockpools below. This easy stretch of Coast Path ascends gently towards the vertical cliffs off Baggy Point. Look out for wild flowers in spring and summer: pink thrift, blue scabious, white bladder campion, yellow tormentil and honeysuckle.
3 of 7
Follow the path sharp right (or keep ahead on to The Promontory) and through a gate, overlooking dramatic Slab Cove. Turn left beside the wire fence, and keep ahead to pass a rocket pole, used in life-saving exercises. Meet a wall corner and continue, with the wall to your right, with fabulous views to Morte Point and 3-mile (4.8km) long Woolacombe Sand, backed by dunes. At the end of the wall pass through a gate.
4 of 7
Reach a path junction by a bench and bear right, signed to the car park. Cross a stile and keep ahead uphill, with a hedgebank on the left. Crest the hilltop, then drop gently to cross a stile and continue in the same direction.
5 of 7
When level with Croyde Hoe Farm (right), turn left over a stile, and go along the top left edge of the field. Turn right at the end and drop to pass through a gate at the head of a small combe. Continue uphill, and where the wall on your left ends, keep ahead to the top of Middleborough Hill.
6 of 7
Bear left past a bench, and continue left round the viewpoint to a footpath post. Keep ahead on a narrow path that descends steeply through gorse to pass through gateposts, and then through a kissing gate into a field. Head downhill, aiming for a stile in the middle of the car park.
This walk makes a good introduction to the South West Coast Path – the path is relatively easy and the views exceptionally good. Baggy Point is within the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the coastal scenery here is truly magnificent. The Devonian rocks date back 370 million... years, and the rugged cliffs – made up of sandstone, shale, slate and limestone – rise in places to about 200ft (61m). In 1799 HMS Weazle was driven on to rocks off the end of Baggy Point, with the loss of all 106 lives on board. The point’s hard sandstone faces are a popular seacliff climbing venue, comprising three main collections of south-facing slabs – you may see climbers as you approach the gate at Point 4. The many climbing routes rejoice in such wonderful names such as Scrattling Zawn, Kinky Cowboy, Twinkletoes and – possibly less appealing – Death on a Stick. Henry Williamson As you pass through the gate at Point 3 you will see an inscription to the North Devon writer Henry Williamson (1895–1977), who took his inspiration from the Devon coast and countryside. He rented a cottage in Georgeham – just inland from Croyde – in 1921, and moved with his family to South Molton in 1929. Williamson’s most famous novel, Tarka the Otter – the story of the life and death of an otter, born on the River Torridge – was published in 1927. Williamson wrote extensively about local nature and countryside, and produced more than 50 books.
Devon sums up all that is best about the British landscape, with its magnificent coastlines, two historic cities, the world-famous Dartmoor National Park and south Devon’s glorious English Riviera. A fashionable and much-loved holiday destination, hiking and cycling in the National Parks is extremely popular among visitors, with a great choice of off-road routes.
