South West Coast Path Stage 4: Falmouth to Plymouth
Falmouth, Cornwall → Plymouth, Devon
- Subtropical gardens overlooking sheltered estuaries
- Historic Fowey harbor and literary connections
- Plymouth's 400 years of maritime history
Why people love the South West Coast Path Stage 4: Falmouth to Plymouth
The trail begins along Falmouth's magnificent natural harbor, following wooded creeks and hidden anchorages past the subtropical gardens of Glendurgan and Trebah. The route crosses the picturesque Helford River before climbing onto the dramatic Nare Head, offering panoramic views across Veryan Bay. The path then descends through the beautiful Roseland Peninsula, known for its Mediterranean microclimate and subtropical vegetation.
Beyond St Austell Bay, the character becomes more industrial as the trail passes through Cornwall's china clay country, with distinctive white pyramidal spoil heaps creating an otherworldly landscape. The historic port of Fowey marks the transition into Devon, followed by the crossing of Plymouth Sound by ferry. The final approach to Plymouth reveals centuries of naval history, from the Mayflower Steps to the modern naval dockyard. This section features the gentlest terrain of any Coast Path section, with minimal technical challenges and numerous inland alternatives during adverse weather.
Build Your South West Coast Path Stage 4: Falmouth to Plymouth 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: Falmouth to Portloe
Begin at Prince of Wales Pier, taking the St Mawes Ferry across Carrick Roads (20 minutes, year-round service). The scenic crossing offers views of Pendennis and St Mawes castles. From St Mawes, the seasonal Place Ferry (April-October) provides a 10-minute shuttle to Place Creek.
The coastal path proper begins at Place, leading past the unusual Place House to St Anthony Church. After gentle walking past Cellars Beach, tackle the steep climb to St Anthony Head. The 1835 lighthouse and WWII gun emplacements reward visitors with commanding harbor views. Continue around magnificent headland views to Towan Beach's broad sandy expanse.
The terrain undulates gently through conservation grazing areas toward Portscatho, a charming fishing village offering refreshments. Beyond lies Porthcurnick Beach and the spectacular mile-long Carne Beach, which joins Pendower Beach at low tide near the prominent Nare Hotel.
The demanding ascent to Nare Head (90m) provides panoramic views and fascinating wartime history, including WWII bunkers and Bronze Age barrows. The terrain becomes significantly more challenging with steep descents and ascents through dramatic coastal scenery past Gull Rock and Kiberick Cove, before the steep final descent into picturesque Portloe.
Stage 2: Portloe to Gorran Haven
Continue through demanding terrain to East Portholland, then descend to Porthluney Cove's magnificent sandy beach, backed by John Nash's Gothic Revival Caerhays Castle (1808) with its renowned botanical collections. The route climbs through National Trust woodland before tackling Dodman Point - at 114m, the highest headland on Cornwall's south coast. The summit features a granite cross and massive Iron Age earthworks, with breathtaking views extending from the Lizard to Berry Head.
Descend to charming Gorran Haven, a fishing village where refreshments are available.
Stage 3: Gorran Haven to Charlestown
Leaving Gorran Haven’s harbour, head up above Great Perhaver Beach before there is easier walking across grassy fields toward Chapel Point. Pass Bodrugan's Leap (where Sir Henry Bodrugan escaped to France in 1487) and the Arts and Crafts houses at Chapel Point. Descend through Portmellon to reach historic Mevagissey with its distinctive double harbor and excellent refreshment opportunities.
From Mevagissey, cross open pastureland to Pentewan, a stone-built village with fascinating maritime history as a former china clay port. The challenging section to Charlestown involves constant ups and downs through spectacular cliff scenery, including the delightful rocky cove at Hallane with its waterfall and natural arch.
Stage 4: Charlestown to Fowey
Stage 5: Fowey to Looe
Stage 6: Looe to Portwrinkle
Stage 7: Portwrinkle to Plymouth
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:
- Newquay Airport (1 hour to Falmouth)
- Plymouth Airport (local, limited services)
- Exeter Airport (1.5 hours to Falmouth, 45 minutes to Plymouth)
- Major cities: Truro (20 minutes to Falmouth), Plymouth (endpoint)
Public transportation options:
- Falmouth: Branch railway from Truro (mainline connection)
- Plymouth: Major rail hub with direct services to London
- Regular bus services connect most villages
- King Harry Ferry connects Roseland Peninsula (vehicle ferry)
Trailhead access:
- Falmouth: Start from Custom House Quay or Prince of Wales Pier
- Plymouth: Finish at Mayflower Steps or Barbican
- Excellent parking and transport links at both ends
Evacuation points and bail-out options:
- Truro (20 minutes from path by bus)
- St Austell (rail connections, bus from path)
- Fowey (bus connections to Par station)
- Looe (railway terminus)
- Torpoint (ferry to Plymouth)
- Multiple ferry crossings provide regular exit points
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.