South West Coast Path Stage 5: Plymouth to Exmouth
Plymouth, Devon → Exmouth, Devon
- England's highest coastal cliffs above churning seas
- Red cliffs, beaches, valleys, gentle climbs
- Start Point's exposed and dramatic headland
Why people love the South West Coast Path Stage 5: Plymouth to Exmouth
Departing Plymouth, the path immediately climbs onto some of England's highest coastal cliffs, reaching over 200 meters above the churning waters of the English Channel. The route passes through the remote Erme and Avon river valleys, requiring challenging descents to sea level followed by grueling climbs back to the clifftops. The picturesque villages of Bigbury-on-Sea and Salcombe provide welcome respite before the path tackles the notorious cliff sections around Bolt Head and Bolt Tail.
The landscape becomes increasingly dramatic approaching Start Point, Devon's most southerly headland, where towering cliffs and exposed rocky ledges create some of the most challenging terrain on the entire South West Coast Path. Beyond Dartmouth's historic harbor, the route follows the spectacular Kingswear to Brixham section before eventually mellowing as it approaches Torbay's resort towns and the final gentle approach to Exmouth. Several sections require extreme caution in adverse weather, with some alternative inland routes recommended during winter storms, though no specialized climbing equipment is required.
Build Your South West Coast Path Stage 5: Plymouth to Exmouth Adventure
Choose your pace, package and group size — we'll do the rest.
Your Adventure
What's Included:
- Hostels & bunkhouses booked
- Breakfast included
- On-trail support
Your Adventure
What's Included:
- Hostels & bunkhouses booked
- Breakfast included
- On-trail support
The Journey in Pictures
Sample Itinerary
Here's what's on the trail. We'll split the stages to each day just right for your pace.
Stage 1: Plymouth to Noss Mayo
Starting at Plymouth's Mayflower Steps, walkers can take the Mount Batten Ferry (year-round, every 30 minutes) to bypass urban streets, or follow the complete route through industrial areas and across Laira Bridge. The path climbs through Turnchapel to dramatic coastline at Mount Batten Point, continuing to Jennycliff Bay and Staddon Heights with sweeping views. Fort Bovisand, a Victorian "Palmerston Folly," marks the transition to rugged clifftop walking. Heybrook Bay offers the Eddystone Inn for refreshments before reaching Wembury Beach with its seasonal Old Mill Cafe.
The route follows easy clifftop paths along Victorian Revelstoke Drive to Warren Point, where a seasonal ferry (April-September) crosses the Yealm estuary to picturesque Noss Mayo.
Stage 2: Noss Mayo to Bigbury-on-Sea
From Noss Mayo, the path climbs gently away from the village, through Brakehill Plantation, then onto the dramatic headland at Gara Point, giving panoramic views. The route now follows the renowned Revelstoke Drive, a Victorian carriage road built by fishermen for Lord Revelstoke in the 19th century.
After passing through The Warren National Trust protected area, numerous rocky coves can be seen below the clifftop path. This section contains the the challenging River Erme crossing - passable only within one hour either side of low tide. The 12km road detour via Mothecombe is required otherwise.
Beyond the Erme, the terrain becomes increasingly challenging with clifftops reaching 300 feet before dropping into Bigbury-on-Sea.
Stage 3: Bigbury-on-Sea to Salcombe
Stage 4: Salcombe to Beesands
Stage 5: Beesands to Dartmouth
Stage 6: Dartmouth to Brixham
Stage 7: Brixham to Babbacombe
Stage 8: Babbacombe to Exmouth
Essential Travel Information
Best hiking season: May through September provides optimal conditions, with May-June and September offering the best balance of good weather and manageable crowds. The coastal location moderates temperature extremes, but exposes walkers to Atlantic weather systems and strong winds.
Weather patterns and challenges: The southwest coast experiences a maritime climate with mild winters and moderate summers. Rainfall occurs throughout the year but is heaviest from October through March. Sea mists can develop rapidly, particularly in early morning and evening hours. Wind exposure is significant on clifftop sections, with prevailing southwesterly winds often creating challenging conditions.
Seasonal hazards include:
- Spring: Muddy paths after winter rain, unpredictable weather, limited daylight hours in early season
- Summer: Extreme heat on exposed clifftops, overcrowding at popular viewpoints, higher risk of dehydration
- Autumn: Shorter daylight hours, increasing storm frequency, wet and slippery rock surfaces
- Winter: Severe weather exposure, limited accommodation and transport, dangerous conditions on clifftop sections
Timing of facilities/refuge openings: Most coastal accommodations, cafes, and visitor facilities operate fully from Easter through October. Many establishments in remote coastal locations close completely from November through February, with reduced hours during shoulder seasons. Transport links, particularly rural bus services, operate on reduced winter timetables.
The South West Coast Path offers exceptional accommodation variety along its 630-mile length:
B&Bs/Guesthouses: £80-150 per night (double room), representing the most common and reliable option. Walker-friendly establishments typically offer packed lunch services, drying facilities, and early breakfast options.
Hotels: £120-300+ per night, available in larger coastal towns and cities including St Ives, Falmouth, Dartmouth, and Bath. Prices range from less than £10 for a camping pitch, to £300+ for a high end spa hotel.
Hostels: £18-40 per night (dormitory bed), strategically located at key points including Beer, Hartland, Tintagel, Land's End, and Exmouth. YHA properties offer excellent walker facilities and represent outstanding value.
Bunkhouses/Hostels: £25-45 per night, basic but clean dormitory-style accommodation popular with budget-conscious walkers and groups.
Camping: £10-25 per night at designated sites, with excellent coastal campsites throughout the route. Wild camping is not permitted along most of the path due to National Trust and private land ownership.
Booking requirements and timing: Advance booking is absolutely essential during peak season (June-September), particularly for weekend dates and in smaller coastal villages with limited options like Clovelly, Boscastle, and Port Isaac. Book at least 4-6 months ahead for summer trips, with some popular establishments filling up to a year in advance.
Popular stopover points: Key overnight locations include Minehead, Lynmouth, Clovelly, Bude, Tintagel, Port Isaac, Padstow, St Ives, Penzance, Falmouth, Fowey, Polperro, Plymouth, Salcombe, Dartmouth, Torbay, Sidmouth, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, and Poole.
Nearest airports/major cities:
- Exeter Airport (45 minutes to Exmouth, 1 hour to Plymouth)
- Plymouth Airport (local, limited services)
- Major cities: Plymouth (start point), Exeter (20 minutes to Exmouth)
Public transportation options:
- Plymouth: Major rail hub with direct services nationwide
- Exmouth: Branch railway from Exeter (frequent services)
- Regular bus services connect most coastal villages
- Dartmouth: Bus connections to Totnes (rail) and Paignton
Trailhead access:
- Plymouth: Start from Barbican or Mount Batten
- Exmouth: Finish at seafront or railway station
- Good transport links facilitate car-free hiking
Evacuation points and bail-out options:
- Kingsbridge (bus to Totnes station)
- Salcombe (seasonal ferry connections, bus to Kingsbridge)
- Dartmouth (bus to Totnes, passenger ferry to Kingswear)
- Brixham (bus connections to Paignton station)
- Torquay (major rail hub)
- Teignmouth (railway station)
Accommodation costs for a complete 10 day trek:
- Mid-range option (B&Bs/guesthouses): £100-140 per night (£1,000-1,400 total)
- Mixed accommodation (hostels/B&Bs): £70-110 per night (£700-1,100 total)
- Budget option (camping/hostels): £35-65 per night (£350-650 total)
Transportation expenses:
- Return train fare to/from London: £150-280
- Local buses to accommodation off-route: £200-350
- Baggage transfer service (optional): £200 -250 for complete route
- Ferry crossings (Kingswear-Dartmouth, Salcombe, etc.): £30-50 total
Food and supplies:
- Breakfast (usually included in accommodation): £0-12 per day
- Packed lunch: £6-12 per day (£60-120 total)
- Evening meal: £18-35 per day (£180-350 total)
- Snacks and drinks: £12-20 per day (£120-200 total)
Additional expenses:
- Official guidebooks and maps: £35-60
- Equipment purchases/replacements: varies significantly
- Emergency fund: £300-400 recommended
- National Trust membership (optional but valuable): £60
Total estimated budget ranges:
- Comfort option (B&Bs, baggage transfer, restaurant meals): £2,000-2,500
- Standard option (mixed accommodation, some baggage transfer): £1,200-1,500
- Budget option (camping/hostels, carrying own pack): £700-900
The South West Coast Path stands as Britain's longest National Trail and most popular coastal walk, with approximately 300,000 people walking sections annually and roughly 1,000 completing the entire route each year.
Peak seasons and crowding: July and August see the highest traffic, with popular sections like Land's End to St Ives, the Jurassic Coast, and North Devon experiencing significant congestion. Accommodation fills months in advance during peak season, and popular clifftop viewpoints can become uncomfortably crowded.
Quieter alternatives for maximum solitude:
- Walking in May, early June, or September-October
- Hiking midweek rather than weekends
- Starting very early (6-7am) to avoid crowds at popular sections
- Choosing alternative inland routes where available
- Considering less famous but equally beautiful sections like Somerset and South Devon
Cultural considerations: The path passes through numerous fishing villages and coastal communities where tourism provides vital income while creating infrastructure pressures. Respect local communities by following the Countryside Code, supporting local businesses, booking accommodations well in advance, and being mindful of noise levels in small villages. The path crosses extensive National Trust land, private estates, and working farmland requiring careful adherence to designated routes.
Typical hiker demographics: The trail attracts a diverse international community with strong representation from Germany, Netherlands, Australia, and North America (approximately 25% international walkers). Age demographics skew toward mature walkers, with the 50-70 age bracket particularly well represented, though the trail attracts all ages during school holidays.
Opportunities for solitude: Despite its popularity, the path's 630-mile length provides numerous opportunities for peaceful walking, particularly on weekdays and during shoulder seasons. Early morning starts reward walkers with empty clifftops and stunning sunrise views. Remote sections in North Cornwall and North Devon offer extended periods of solitude even during busy periods.
The coastal pub culture creates natural gathering points where walkers share experiences, weather updates, and route advice. Many form lasting friendships after meeting on the path, with the shared challenge of Britain's longest trail creating a unique sense of community. Traditional celebrations often occur at journey's end, whether at Minehead, Poole Harbour, or any of the intermediate completion points chosen by section walkers.