South West Coast Path Walking Holiday, 290 miles of great walking

South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
Cornwall's Far West and The Lizard via Land's End
Bude to Plymouth
25 nights and 24 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
following TrailBlazer Guide Book

Burgh Island, South Devon

South West Coast Path Walking Holidays
Itinerary based on the Trail Blazer guide books: Bude to Plymouth

South West Coast Path Walking Holiday in Cornwall’s Far West and The Lizard via Land’s End Bude to Plymouth
25 nights and 24 days walking
following the TrailBlazer Guide Book

Enjoy a 290 mile self-guided South West Coast Path walking holiday on the South West Coast Path from
Bude to Plymouth.

This South West Coast Path walking holiday visits the quaint villages of Boscastle, Tintagel, Port Isaac and Padstow. Port Isaac is the location for the filming of Doc Martin.
Visit the incredible beaches at Newquay and Perranporth, the amazing sand dunes at Hayle, the quaint picuresque harbour at St Ives, the tin mining heritage at Zennor and Pendeen, Land’s End, Lizard, the UK’s most southerly point.

We don’t expect you to do the whole South West Coast Path walking holiday in one go!
Take your time and enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
We are based in the South West of England and all our team have detailed local knowledge of the whole of the South West Coast Path.
Please see details and prices below.

Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.

The routes are clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your hiking vacation.

We use a selection of guest houses, inns or small hotels with en-suite or private bathroom to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing. Rest assured that all our accommodation walking holiday providers are hand-picked and offer you that famous British hospitality.

Special diets can be catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.

We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.

Let’s Go Walking has developed one of the largest selection of walking holidays.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.

All our walking holidays are self-guided and you must be a confident map reader and able to navigate from a compass bearing. The weather in the UK and Ireland can change quickly effecting visibility and underfoot conditions. It is important to carry a selection of clothing with you on your hike each day to cope with changing weather conditions. If you are not confident of completing any days walk, do not set out.

This walking holiday in the UK operates March to September and in either direction.

The daily distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages.
Rest days can be taken in any location.

Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of the UK or Ireland. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers.

Online booking available.
A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure.
Optional extra days and accommodation upgrades can be added during the booking process online.
Please wait for the confirmation of your holiday before making final travel plans just in case your holiday is not available for your requested date.

South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
Bude to Plymouth
Suggested Tour Duration:
25 nights, 24 days walking
Total Distance:
290 miles
Min/max daily distance:
9/15 miles
Average Daily distance:
12 miles

Features:
Tintagel Castle
ferry across River Camel
ferry across River Gannel
tin mine and beam engine
Minack Theatre at Porthcurno
St Michael’s Mount
ferry across Helford River
ferry across Carrick Roads
Lost Gardens of Heligan
Cremyll ferry to Plymouth
This route connects with:
South West Coast Path Minehead to Bude
South West Coast Path Plymouth to Poole
Saints’ Way

South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
Cornwall’s Far West and The Lizard via Land’s End
Bude to Plymouth
25 nights and 24 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Bude

You make your own way to Bude for the start of your walking holiday. We can assist with coach transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of the walk on the South West Coast Path, and we can return you to your car or station at the end of the holiday.

Day 2: Bude to Crackington Haven 10 miles Strenuous
We can transfer you to Bude to commence your walking holiday.The South West Coast Path continues at the lock where the Bude Canal reaches the sea and climbs up to Compass Point. Then along Widemouth Bay to Millook Haven with its chevron folded rock strata in the cliff.

Day 3: Crackington Haven to Tintagel 11 miles Strenuous

You have a stunning cliff top walk to Boscastle with its beautiful harbour inlet and quaint Cornish cottages. There are opportunities to see seabirds, especially puffins, and seals, and the ruined Tintagel Castle.

Day 4: Tintagel to Port Isaac 9 miles Severe

This part of the South West Coast Path has interesting and complex geology. Mine workings and quarries are in evidence and you can see echoes of the sailing ships that used to be loaded with slate. The path goes through Trebarwith Strand and Port Gaverne to arrive at the wonderful little Cornish fishing hamlet of Port Isaac.

Day 5: Port Isaac to Padstow 12 miles Strenuous

Along the path to Port Quin you may see peregrine falcons hunting along the cliffs and seals basking on the rocks below. Further along you could see puffins nesting on The Mouls island or wild orchids growing on the cliff. Fishing and pleasure boats can be seen entering and leaving Padstow Harbour as you make your way along the Camel Estuary. You take a ferry across to Padstow. The South West Coast Path connects with The Saints Way in Padstow.

Optional Day in Padstow

Day 6: Padstow to Porthcothan 14 miles Easy
As you make your way back along the Camel Estuary to Stepper Point and Gunver Head you may see nesting sites for razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes in the summer. Then a gentle stroll along coast path to Harlyn Bay. From Harlyn Bay you walk around Mother Ivey’s Bay andTrevose Head to Constantine Bay. The lighthouse at Trevose Head was the last to be run on compressed air and paraffin the on to Porthcothan.

Day 7: Porthcothan to Newquay 11 miles Moderate

From Porthcothan the South west Coast Path continues around Park Head, and then a highlight of the day, the interesting rock formations of Bedruthan Steps. The South West Coast Path goes along the cliffs above Watergate Bay to Trevelgue Head, which is actually an island which can be reached by a foot bridge. If the tide is out you can stroll to Newquay the famous Cornish seaside town along the beach.

Day 8: Newquay to Perranporth 11 miles Moderate
The route goes via Towan Head and Fistral Beach before you make you way over the River Gannel. Porth Joke is the first bay you come to and is a delightfully quiet cove. Then via Kelsey Head and Holywell Beach to Penhale Point and Ligger Point. Across the wide expanse of Perran Beach into Perranporth.

Day 9: Perranporth to Portreath 12 miles Strenuous
After leaving Perranporth you visit Travaunance Cove which was once a busy port for the tin and copper industry. Then there are interestingly named places such as Tubby’s Head, Tobban Horse, Sheep Rock, Horse Rock and Gull Rock. The cliff top is strewn with heather and gorse, and the surf rolls in over golden sandy beaches as you approach Portreath.r or you can depart by train or bus.

Day 10: Portreath to Hayle 12 miles Moderate
Places like Ralph’s Cupboard, Deadman’s Cove and Hell’s Mouth are a testament to the power of the sea. The Godrevy Lighthouse now provides comfort to sailors. Iron worked in the foundry at Hayle went to make London’s Tower Bridge..

Day 11: Hayle to Zennor 12 miles Severe
A pleasant morning’s walking around St Ives Bay and the River Hayle estuary. After St Ives this is the most deserted stretch of the south west coast path. On a clear day you can see as far back as St Agnes Beacon. Seals can sometimes be sighted on The Carrack

Day 12: Zennor to St Just 11 miles Severe

Zennor is a picturesque miniature village surrounded by interesting rock formations, both natural and man-made, the latter being Neolithic burial chambers and Bronze Age ceremonial sites. As you go further west the lighthouse at Pendeen Watch comes into view as you descend from Chypraze Cliff.

Day 13: St Just to Porthcurno 12 miles Moderate
There is plenty of industrial archaeology from the days of tin and copper mining to poke around. Levant Beam Engine and Geevor Tin Mine are both worth a visit. On a clear day from Cape Cornwall you can see the Scilly Isles. Cape Cornwall is where the Atlantic Ocean meets the English Channel. You are now heading in a southerly direction towards Land’s End across Whitesand Bay and Sennen Cove. After Land’s End you start going south-east and before arriving in Porthcurno you can visit the Minack Open-air Theatre.

Day 14: Porthcurno to Penzance 12 miles Strenuous

The Telegraph Museum is worth a visit before leaving Porthcurno. The walking route goes through Mousehole, pronounced “Mouzel”, a quaint fishing village, then you walk around Mounts Bay via Newlyn back to Penzance.

Optional Day trip to Scilly Isles 4 miles easy or
Extra day in Penzance

Take a day trip on the Scillonian from Penzance to St Marys in the Isles of Scilly. Enjoy the peaceful town of Hugh Town and a gentle stroll around St Marys. There are day trips to the Isles of Scilly Monday through Saturday. Sailings on Sundays are only in July and August. You overnight in Penzance. Alternatively have a rest day in Penzance and/or visit the many gardens in the area.

Day 15: Penzance to Porthleven 14 miles Strenuous

You start the day by walking to Marazion where, if the tide is out, you can walk across the causeway to St Michael’s Mount, or take the ferry. Not to be missed! Then around Cudden Point to Prussia Cove and Betsy’s Cove which were a haunt of an eighteenth-century smuggler named John Carter who called himself ‘King of Prussia’. After Hoe Point and Trewavas Head to will see Porthleven, the stop for tonight.

Day 16: Porthleven to Lizard 14 miles moderate
Porthleven Sands has been voted the 2nd best beach walk in Britain by Country Walking magazine. You walk across Loo Bar, the shingle spit that blocks the course of the River Cober from the sea and creates Loo Pool, the largest natural freshwater lake in the West Country. After Mullion Cove and Kynance
Cove you arrive at The Lizard, the most southerly point of England.

Day 17: Lizard to Coverack 11 miles Strenuous

Take a tour of the lighthouse and the famous wireless station before making your way on to Bass Point. At Cadgwith the route passes through National Trust land to Poltesco. Then along Kennack Sands and around Black Head to Coverack, which has a lovely little harbour.

Day 18: Coverack to Mawnan Smith 14 miles Moderate
Rounding Coverack Beach to Lowland Point, then on past Godrey Cove and Porthoustock. When you get to Porthallow you will be pleased to know that you are at the halfway point of the entire South West Coast Path. At Gillian Greek you can take a shortcut via the stepping stones across to St Anthony-in-Meneage if the tide is out. All too soon you are in Helford. After crossing the Helford River the gardens of Trebah, Carwinion and Glendurgan are worth a visit before you commence on the coast path. The wooded path follows along the Helford River and there are occasional views of the estuary through the trees.

Day 19 : Mawnan Smith to Falmouth 10 miles Moderate
After crossing the Helford River the gardens of Trebah, Carwinion and Glendurgan are worth a visit before you commence on the coast path. The wooded path follows along the Helford River and there are occasional views of the estuary through the trees. You head out towards Rosemullion Head where you can see Falmouth and Pendennis Point in the distance. Pendennis Castle, and its counterpart at St Mawes, date from the mid-16th century.

Day 20: Falmouth to Portloe 14 miles Easy, then Strenuous

You begin today with two ferry rides, first across Carrick Roads to St Mawes and then across the Percuil River to Place. The gardens of Lamorran in St Mawes are worth a visit. It is a very pleasant stroll around St Anthony Head and Porthmellin Head to Portscatho in time for lunch. This afternoon you walk around Gerrans Bay to Nare Head. After a few ups and downs the little coastal village of Portloe suddenly comes into sight.

Day 21: Portloe to Mevagissey 12 miles Strenuous
Today you walk around Veryan Bay through the villages of West and East Portholland where there is an old limekiln on the beach. After passing Caehays Castle and Gardens you head towards Dodman Point which has a tall granite cross at its summit. Through the small harbour and village of Gorran Haven and then an easy stroll around Chapel Point to Mevagissey.

Optional Day in Mevagissery: to visit Lost Gardens of Heligan
Spend an extra day in Mevagissey to visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Day 22: Mevagissey to Par 11 miles Strenuous
The first electric lights in this 13th century fishing village of Mevagissey were powered by generating fed on pilchard oil! The path becomes a little more adventurous as you pass through the old china clay port of Pentewan and round Black Head. The 18th century port of Charlestown comes into view. The harbour is home to some fine old sailing ships and has been used as a location in many films. From Charlestown the South West Coast Path passes through Carloyn Bay to Par for your overnight stay

Day 23: Par to Polperro 13 miles Strenuous
The day begins once again with an easy stroll to Polkerris. Then you head up to the red and white daymark tower on top of Gribbin Head, . Relax and enjoy the view before a challenging walk into Fowey. This attractive town is still a working harbour but is home to many sailing boats. In Fowey the South West Coast Path connect with the Saints Way. From Fowey you take the ferry to Polruan to begin the day and then climb uphill from the harbour to the Coastwatch Station. You head for Pencarrow Head and around Lantivet Bay before arriving at Polperro with its tiny alleyways and narrow streets.

Day 24: Polperro to Portwrinkle 13 miles Strenuous
Leaving Polperro the South west Coast soon reaches the the popular fishing village of Looe. Walking on from Looe the path follows the cliff top past Seaton and Downderry when the Long Stone comes into view.

Day 24: Portwrinkle to Plymouth 15 miles moderate
Today you walk along the stunning Whitsand Bay, past Tregantle Fort and heading towards Rame Head. Dive boats are often moored over the Scylla, the naval frigate sunk in 2004 as an artificial reef. Once you round Penlee Point Plymouth Sound comes into view.After walking through Mount Edgcumbe Country Park you take the Cremyll Ferry across the River Tamar to Plymouth. This historic city has many points of interest; the Aquarium, Smeaton Tower, the Barbican and the Hoe to name but a few.

Day 25: Depart after breakfast
Depart after breakfast or extend your holiday and spend some time in the area.
We can transfer you to your car or you can depart by train or bus.

South West Coast Path Terrain Grading

Easy:  flat or undulating terrain

Moderate:  a few ups and downs, the section requiring more effort than an easy section. For example, a section of 9 miles can require the amount of effort needed for 12 miles.

Strenuous:  many ups and downs, the section requiring more effort than a moderate section. For example, a section of 9 miles can require the amount of effort needed for 15 miles.

Severe:   many steep climbs, the section requiring twice the amount of effort as an easy section. For example, a section of 9 miles can require the amount of effort needed for 18 miles.

South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
26 day itinerary
Bude to Plymouth
24 days walking and 25 nights

Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Bude
Day 2: Bude to Crackington Haven            10 miles strenuous
Day 3: Crackington Haven to Tintagel        11 miles strenuous
Day 4: Tintagel to Port Isaac                        9 miles severe
Day 5: Port Isaac to Padstow                      12 miles strenuous
Optional Day to enjoy Padstow
Day 6: Padstow to Porthcothan                   14 miles easy
Day 7: Porthcothan to Newquay                   11 miles moderate
Day 8: Newquay to Perranporth                   11 miles moderate
Day 9: Perranporth to Portreath                  12 miles strenuous
Day 10: Portreath to Hayle                            12 miles moderate
Day 11: Hayle to Zennor                                 12 miles severe
Day 12: Zennor to St Just                               11 miles severe
Day 13: St Just to Porthcurno                         12 miles moderate
Day 14: Porthcurno to Penzance                    11 miles strenuous, then easy
Optional Day: day trip to Isles of Scilly
Day 15: Penzance to Porthleven                    14 miles strenuous
Day 16: Porthleven to Lizard                          14 miles moderate
Day 17: Lizard to Coverack                            11 miles strenuous
Day 18: Coverack to Mawgan Smith              14 miles moderate
Day 19: Mawnan Smith to Falmouth              10 miles moderate
Day 20: Falmouth to Portloe                          14 miles easy, then strenuous
Day 21: Portloe to Mevagissey                       12 miles strenuous
Optional Day: to visit Lost Gardens of Heligan
Day 22: Mevagissey to Par                              11 miles strenuous
Day 23: Par to Polperro                                  13 miles moderate
Day 24: Polperro to Portwrinkle                    13 miles strenuous
Day 25: Portwrinkle to Plymouth via Cremyll Ferry    15 miles moderate
Day 26: Depart after breakfast

Prices per person for South West Coast Path
26 day itinerary 25 nights

	Double or Twin Occupancy	Single Occupancy travelling with others	Solo Traveller
2025	£3,350	£5,325	£5,825

All prices subject to change

Extra night in Padstow from £75 per person

Optional Accommodation Upgrades for
South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
Bude to Plymouth
Can be added when booking online

Subject to availability Supplement per person per night

Bude
Falcon Hotel

double/twin
£46.00

single
please ask

Boscastle
Wellington Hotel

double/twin
£39.00

single
please ask

If you would like to stay at the Wellington Hotel in Boscastle, we can revise the itinerary so that this is an overnight stop.

Tintagel
Camelot Castle Hotel

double/twin
£55.00

single
please ask

Port Isaac
Old School Hotel

double/twin
£65.00

single
please ask

Port Gaverne Inn

£98.00

please ask

Slipway Hotel sea view room

£53.00

n/a

Slipway Hotel non sea view room

£43.00

please ask

Padstow
Padstow Harbour Hotel sea view room

double/twin
£136.00

single
n/a

Padstow Harbour Hotel non sea view room

£115.00

please ask

Old Ship Hotel

£49.00

please ask

Old Custom House

£79.00

please ask

Golden Lion

£49.00

please ask

Newquay
Victoria Hotel sea view room

double/twin
£53.00

single
n/a

Victoria Hotel non sea view room

£32.00

please ask

Harbour Hotel

£79.00

please ask

Oceanside Hotel

£49.00

please ask

St Just
Cape Cornwall Golf Club

double/twin
£35.00

single
please ask

Mousehole
Ship Inn

double/twin
£24.00

single
please ask

If you would like to stay at Ship Inn in Mousehole, we can revise the itinerary so that this is an overnight stop.

Penzance
Yacht Inn

double/twin
£34.00

single
please ask

Queens Hotel

£79.00

please ask

Hotel Penzance

£79.00

please ask

You may be staying in Penzance more than one night on your itinerary, therefore the price of upgrade is the per night price.

Porthleven
Harbour Inn

double/twin
£89.00

single
please ask

Mullion
Mullion Cove Hotel
Polurrian Bay Hotel

double/twin
£89.00
£68.00

single
please ask
please ask

If you would like to stay at Polurrian Bay Hotel in Mullion, we can revise the itinerary so that this is an overnight stop.

Lizard
Top House Inn

double/twin
£25.00

single
please ask

Coverack
Bay Hotel

double/twin
£72.00

single
please ask

Helford
Budock Vean Hotel

double/twin
£96.00

single
please ask

Falmouth
Falmouth Hotel

double/twin
£55.00

Single
please ask

Greenbank Hotel

£75.00

please ask

St Michaels Resort

£75.00

please ask

Portloe
Lugger Hotel

double/twin
£83.00

single
please ask

Please note the Plymouth Half Marathon will take place in Plymouth on Sunday 11th May 2025.
This affects the availability of accommodation in Plymouth and our ability to deliver your luggage.
Therefore when booking your walking holiday on South West Coast Path we suggest you avoid Plymouth on this date.

What’s included
in your South West Coast Path Walking Holiday in UK

accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
daily luggage transfer
support should there be any problems on route
detailed itineraries
guide book
Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps

Optional Extras
for your South West Coast Path Walking Holiday in UK

upgrade to the region’s most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
transfers back to car or station
parking facilities
rest days
inn to inn walks

What’s not included
in your South West Coast Path Walking Holiday in UK

lunches and dinners
travel insurance

What our customers say about our UK South West Coast Path walking holiday

Lunches and Dinners
These are not included.
Evening meals
These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village.
Packed lunches
These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route.

Holiday Travel Insurance
We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let’s Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following:
cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays.

This is in addition to our existing
booking conditions.

South West Coast Path Walking Holiday Bude to Plymouth:
How to get there

By Plane to Newquay from where we can arrange transfer to Bude
By Car to Bude or Plymouth where parking is available
By Train to Newquay or Plymouth where we can arrange transfer to Bude
By Bus to Bude or Plymouth

South West Coast Path Walking Holiday

A 630 mile walking route which starts in Minehead in Somerset, goes through Devon and Cornwall and finishes in South Haven Point in Dorset. This forms part of the England Coast Path.

This is one of our Coastal Walking Holidays in UK and Ireland, one of our Cornwall and Bodmin Moor Walking Holidays, one of our Devon and Dartmoor Walking Holidays, one of our Dorset and Jurassic Coast Walking Holidays, one of our Somerset and Exmoor Walking Holidays, and also one of our National Trail Walking Holidays.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Our telephone Lines are open 7 days a week.

UK +44 (0)1837 880075
or +44 (0)207 193 1252
March to September 9am to 9pm
October to February 9am to 5pm
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New York 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
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Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time:
March to September 7pm to 7am EADT
October to February 7pm to 3am EADT
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Toronto 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
or

Coastal Walking Holidays

We have Coastal Walking Holidays in the UK in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands.

This is one of our categories of walking holidays.