More images

More (2)

South West Coast Path: Combe Martin to Ilfracombe

Recommended by

Our view

"A varied walk along a surprisingly rugged and indented strip of coastline, culminating in a steep ascent onto Hillsborough, with magical views."

Walk directions

From the car park entrance bear right on Cross Street towards the beach. Meet King Street and follow the pavement uphill, turning right along The Parade (restored 2014) and ascending steps onto a quiet lane. Turn right and follow Coast Path signs to meet the A399.

Turn right, soon picking up a fenced path parallel to the road. Steep steps lead to another quiet lane; turn left to find the main road again, and turn right along it. Turn right.

View all directions

Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Undulating coast path, narrow and slippery in places; roadside paths and tracks

Landscape - Coastal

Dog friendliness - Under control at all times; unfenced cliffs and road sections; on leads through campsites

Parking - Pay-&-display car parks in Combe Martin and Ilfracombe

Toilets en route - Combe Martin, Hele beach, Ilfracombe

Walks in Devon

About the walk

This stage starts from the little seaside resort of Combe Martin. In the 19th century, however, it was important for the export of iron and copper ores from Exmoor to South Wales, and the import of limestone and coal. The lime was used for making cement and plaster, and for dressing the acid Exmoor...

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

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.

Route details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

5.7 miles (9.3kms)

Ascent:

1096ft (334m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

Find more walks in Devon

South West Coast Path: Combe Martin to Ilfracombe

Recommended by

Our view

"A varied walk along a surprisingly rugged and indented strip of coastline, culminating in a steep ascent onto Hillsborough, with magical views."

Walk details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

5.7 miles (9.3kms)

Ascent:

1096ft (334m)

Walk directions

1 of 7

Turn right, soon picking up a fenced path parallel to the road. Steep steps lead to another quiet lane; turn left to find the main road again, and turn right along it. Turn right.

2 of 7

Opposite Barton Lane turn right and drop to the old coast road and entrance to Sandy Cove Hotel. Turn left on a track alongside the hotel and pass the steep access to Broad Sands beach, shortly after which the route diverts right. Keep along the seaward edge of a camping park, to exit it in the far right corner and meet the road again.

3 of 7

Turn right; the path continues alongside the road to a gateway opposite Watermouth Castle, leading to Watermouth harbour. The main path leads along the road and into the woods (a diversion can be made along the left edge of the beach at low tide to some steps up into the woods). Keep to the Coast Path around Widmouth Head, with its old coastguard lookout, to lovely Samson’s Bay and Rillage Point, then climb up to the coastguard cottages on the A399.

4 of 7

Turn right alongside the road to Hele (a diversion can be made to The Old Corn Mill, signed left). Turn right down the road to the beach then bear left, as signed. Climb steeply through woods to pass below the summit of Hillsborough (447ft/136m), with fine views over Ilfracombe harbour.

5 of 7

Follow the path on through the double rampart which defended Hillsborough in Iron Age times. On reaching a crossroads of paths with open ground ahead turn right (concealed sign) to emerge by a mini golf course.

6 of 7

Keep along the right edge of the golf course to meet a tarmac path (for a look at Rapparee beach – a ladies’ bathing beach in Victorian times – right), then turn left and follow signs past Larkstone Beach to reach the harbourside road. Drop to the finish of this stage at the quayside car park at the back of the harbour.

7 of 7

Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Undulating coast path, narrow and slippery in places; roadside paths and tracks

Landscape - Coastal

Dog friendliness - Under control at all times; unfenced cliffs and road sections; on leads through campsites

Parking - Pay-&-display car parks in Combe Martin and Ilfracombe

Toilets en route - Combe Martin, Hele beach, Ilfracombe

Walks in Devon

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Devon

South West Coast Path: Combe Martin to Ilfracombe

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

Sign up to our travel newsletter

Get the latest insider tips and recommendations to make the most of your next trip

South West Coast Path: Combe Martin to Ilfracombe

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

Sign up to our newsletter

Join over 4,000+ travelers who are getting the most out of their trips