Self-guided · South West · England
Your walk from
Minehead to
Bude
Minehead to Bude from the very start of the South West Coast Path — through Exmoor, past the Valley of Rocks, and along the dramatic cliff coast of north Devon before the path crosses into Cornwall at Marsland Mouth.
- Distance
- 198 km
- Ascent
- 4,531 m
- Stages
- 4 – 12 days
- Grade
- Strenuous
Trail Essentials
This is the wildest opening the South West Coast Path has to offer — 198 kilometres from Minehead, over Exmoor's sea cliffs, and down the raw north-Devon and north-Cornwall coast to Bude. There's more up-and-down here per mile than almost anywhere else on the trail, and long stretches with nothing but cliff, gorse and the odd combe between villages.
It suits walkers who want the coast path at its most elemental before it softens into the resort towns further south. Come prepared for genuine remoteness in places — some of the finest sections have the least in the way of shops or shelter.
Build your trip
Customise your South West Coast Path Stage 1: Minehead to Bude.
Pick your pace, party size and dates. The itinerary, distances, nightly stops and the price all update live — no commitment until you're happy.
- Days sized to your walking speed
- Each night ends at a stop with accommodation
- Pricing reflects party size and seasonality
- Save and share the itinerary with your group
Your day-by-day itinerary updates live in the Your itinerary section below.
Build your itinerary above.
This is the itinerary you're building. Change the pace, party size or start date in the planner above and every stage, distance and date updates here.
Where you'll stay
Where you'll sleep
This stage runs through some proper Exmoor and north-Devon villages — thatched harbour inns, working farm B&Bs and the odd clifftop hotel with a view worth the climb. We book you in close to the path each night, even where the choice thins out.
- Thatched inns and farmhouse B&Bs in Exmoor's coastal villages
- Drying space for boots after wet cliff-top days
- Rooms booked ahead in the quieter stretches where options are limited
- Harbour-side dinners in Lynmouth, Clovelly and Appledore
Every trip is planned around your dates and party, so we can't promise you a specific inn — but we can promise the kind of welcome that makes a walking holiday feel like a proper holiday.
What's included?
Self-guided, but properly supported. You turn up, you walk, you eat well, you sleep well. We handle the logistics.
Custom itinerary planned around your pace
Comfortable accommodation booked for you
Daily luggage transfer where available
GPX + day-by-day route notes
Big Trail Adventures app for door-to-door navigation
On-trail route support
Not included
- Travel to Minehead and from Bude
- Lunches and evening meals (we'll recommend the best places)
- Travel insurance
Travelling solo? You're still connected.
Walking the South West Coast Path Stage 1: Minehead to Bude alone doesn't mean being out of touch. We lend you a small GPS tracker for the trail, and a private map link lets the people who care about you follow along from home.
A lightweight GPS tracker
Carry it in your pack and it updates your position as you walk — no phone signal required.
A private live map
See your own progress on a secure map, with your overnight stops visible at a glance.
Share with people you trust
Send the private link to family or friends so they know you've arrived safely each day.
Book your South West Coast Path Stage 1: Minehead to Bude adventure.
- Free cancellation to 60 days
- Confirmation within 24 hrs
- ABTOT financially protected
We'll start planning your trip right away. Not happy with anything? We'll adjust it or refund you — no questions asked.
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Big Trail Adventures (member 5690). Protection is provided for non-flight packages. Full details in our booking conditions.
Things walkers ask us.
How fit do I need to be?
On the Hiker pace this stage runs to 9 walking days averaging around 22 km a day with steady cliff undulations. You should be comfortable walking a full day with a daypack.
When should I walk it?
May through September is best. May–June is peak wildflower and seabird season. July and August are busy — book accommodation months ahead. September gives long light and quieter beaches.
Do you include luggage transfer?
Yes — bags up to 20 kg are moved between accommodations every walking day. A few remote overnights need a short taxi transfer, which we plan and book for you.
What kind of accommodation do you book?
Small family-run B&Bs, harbour inns and walker-friendly hotels — en-suite where the village allows, breakfast included, drying space for boots.
Not sure this stage is right for you?
Tell Craig your dates, party size and preferred pace. He'll come back with a route that fits — or suggest a neighbouring stage if this one's not the match.
Other trails we run.
West Highland Way
154 km, Glasgow to Fort William. Scotland's most famous long-distance walk.
Great Glen Way
127 km from Fort William along Loch Ness to Inverness. Lochside and forest walking.
Rob Roy Way
127 km through the southern Highlands, following the outlaw's old country.