"A long and tiring stage, with beautiful views along the coast from Baggy Point and a finish alongside Braunton Marsh and the estuary of the River Caen"
Walk directions
Before reaching the Marine Drive car park bear right on the Coast Path across Woolacombe Warren, passing under Potter’s Hill. Ignore paths right (to the beach) and left (to the old military road) and follow intermittent path signs. At a sturdy wooden post follow the path left inland, climbing to reach a track.
Turn right to pass buildings at Vention and the entrance to the beach at Putsborough. About 100yds later turn right through a gate and follow the Coast Path along Napps Cliff to Baggy Point, hugging the clifftop to pass through a gate above the point.
Turn sharp left and follow the wildflower-edged path towards Croyde Bay. About 75yds after passing the National Trust tea room pick up a path that parallels the road, soon turning right towards the beach.
The path crosses the beach along the edge of the dunes. At a stream crossing halfway along a detour can be made to Croyde village. At the far end of the beach climb over rocks then walk round the tip of Saunton Down, ascending to meet the road by a cream-coloured house.
Turn left for about 100yds then right on a narrow path that runs above the road to the Saunton Sands Hotel, with fabulous views across Braunton Burrows. At a path junction turn right to meet the road. To avoid the road follow alternative Coast Path signs left from the junction, soon bearing right to pick up the route again at Point 7.
Cross the road with care and follow the path around the hotel grounds, descending to the beach. Pass Sands on the Beach and walk through the car park to pick up a track bearing right downhill, which leads to the B3231. Turn left along the right edge, taking great care, to pass Saunton Golf Club (note Victorian St Anne’s Chapel – dedicated to the patron saint of sailors – opposite).
Take the next turning right. The well-signed path skirts the golf course and continues behind Braunton Burrows dunes to a dirt road known as the American road, used by forces in World War II when the area was used for tank training prior to the Normandy landings. Continue along the road for about a mile towards Crow Point, then bear left alongside the car park to the White House, a former ferry house.
Turn right towards the beach then left along a floodbank to the Taw and Caen estuaries to reach Velator Quay. Beyond the quay the path joins the road at Velator Bridge and meets a roundabout. Turn left, cross over and follow the old railway line to Braunton Countryside Centre and car park. The disused railway is now a cycle path along the Coast Path and links with the Tarka Trail through to Barnstaple and Bideford.
Woolacombe (‘valley of the wolves’) did not begin to develop as a holiday destination until the end of the 19th century. It is now a family resort with glorious blue flag golden sands and a favoured spot for surfers, a far cry from the days of World War II when American troops trained for D-Day... here and at Saunton. ‘Marine Drive’ is an old military road, dating from the time when Woolacombe Warren was used for assault training. The National Trust (who now own the Warren), have restored the sand dune system that was steadily being eroded back to the original cliff line. Keep an eye out for adders basking on the path through the dunes, and later as you make your way through Braunton Burrows. Vention, passed at Putsborough, has several buildings now but the name refers to the old limeburners’ cottage next to the kiln and is supposedly derived from the description of limeburning as a ‘new invention’ in 1630 by Devon historian Tristram Risdon. The views from the walk out to Baggy Point are fantastic and there is a large cave, Baggy Hole, in the end of the point (not visible to walkers). The area is popular with climbers. Alongside the Taw–Torridge estuary and River Caen the route runs along a flood bank. The dyke here was built in the 1850s as part of the reclamation of Braunton Marsh. The original route of the river can be seen on the inland side of Horsey Island. Cargo vessels used the quay until the 1950s, exporting gravel and farm produce to South Wales and importing coal and limestone for local limekilns.
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.
"A long and tiring stage, with beautiful views along the coast from Baggy Point and a finish alongside Braunton Marsh and the estuary of the River Caen"
Walk details
7hrs 30min
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Gentle
Distance:
15.6 miles (25.1kms)
Ascent:
1201ft (366m)
Walk directions
Before reaching the Marine Drive car park bear right on the Coast Path across Woolacombe Warren, passing under Potter’s Hill. Ignore paths right (to the beach) and left (to the old military road) and follow intermittent path signs. At a sturdy wooden post follow the path left inland, climbing to reach a track.
1 of 8
Turn right to pass buildings at Vention and the entrance to the beach at Putsborough. About 100yds later turn right through a gate and follow the Coast Path along Napps Cliff to Baggy Point, hugging the clifftop to pass through a gate above the point.
2 of 8
Turn sharp left and follow the wildflower-edged path towards Croyde Bay. About 75yds after passing the National Trust tea room pick up a path that parallels the road, soon turning right towards the beach.
3 of 8
The path crosses the beach along the edge of the dunes. At a stream crossing halfway along a detour can be made to Croyde village. At the far end of the beach climb over rocks then walk round the tip of Saunton Down, ascending to meet the road by a cream-coloured house.
4 of 8
Turn left for about 100yds then right on a narrow path that runs above the road to the Saunton Sands Hotel, with fabulous views across Braunton Burrows. At a path junction turn right to meet the road. To avoid the road follow alternative Coast Path signs left from the junction, soon bearing right to pick up the route again at Point 7.
5 of 8
Cross the road with care and follow the path around the hotel grounds, descending to the beach. Pass Sands on the Beach and walk through the car park to pick up a track bearing right downhill, which leads to the B3231. Turn left along the right edge, taking great care, to pass Saunton Golf Club (note Victorian St Anne’s Chapel – dedicated to the patron saint of sailors – opposite).
6 of 8
Take the next turning right. The well-signed path skirts the golf course and continues behind Braunton Burrows dunes to a dirt road known as the American road, used by forces in World War II when the area was used for tank training prior to the Normandy landings. Continue along the road for about a mile towards Crow Point, then bear left alongside the car park to the White House, a former ferry house.
7 of 8
Turn right towards the beach then left along a floodbank to the Taw and Caen estuaries to reach Velator Quay. Beyond the quay the path joins the road at Velator Bridge and meets a roundabout. Turn left, cross over and follow the old railway line to Braunton Countryside Centre and car park. The disused railway is now a cycle path along the Coast Path and links with the Tarka Trail through to Barnstaple and Bideford.
Woolacombe (‘valley of the wolves’) did not begin to develop as a holiday destination until the end of the 19th century. It is now a family resort with glorious blue flag golden sands and a favoured spot for surfers, a far cry from the days of World War II when American troops trained for D-Day... here and at Saunton. ‘Marine Drive’ is an old military road, dating from the time when Woolacombe Warren was used for assault training. The National Trust (who now own the Warren), have restored the sand dune system that was steadily being eroded back to the original cliff line. Keep an eye out for adders basking on the path through the dunes, and later as you make your way through Braunton Burrows. Vention, passed at Putsborough, has several buildings now but the name refers to the old limeburners’ cottage next to the kiln and is supposedly derived from the description of limeburning as a ‘new invention’ in 1630 by Devon historian Tristram Risdon. The views from the walk out to Baggy Point are fantastic and there is a large cave, Baggy Hole, in the end of the point (not visible to walkers). The area is popular with climbers. Alongside the Taw–Torridge estuary and River Caen the route runs along a flood bank. The dyke here was built in the 1850s as part of the reclamation of Braunton Marsh. The original route of the river can be seen on the inland side of Horsey Island. Cargo vessels used the quay until the 1950s, exporting gravel and farm produce to South Wales and importing coal and limestone for local limekilns.
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.
