Discover England's Great Walking Trails
HOGBACK CLIFFS AND WOODED COMBES:
THE FIRST 35 MILES OF THE SOUTH WEST COAST PATH
About the walks
This walk takes in the entire coastline of Exmoor National Park providing spectacular views across the Bristol Channel to South Wales, with its mix of quaint villages, lonely moorland, rugged cliffs and dense coastal woodlands.
SOUTH WEST COAST PATH: MINEHEAD TO COMBE MARTIN
Itinerary Overview
- Distance: 55.8 km / 35 miles
- Number of Days: 4 (5 nights)
- Grade: Moderate to Challenging
- Theme: History / Coastal / Culture
- Landscape Type: By Water / Rolling Countryside
Holiday Details
This itinerary has been created by Exmoor Walking Holidays based in the village of Dunster at the heart of the Exmoor National Park. The tour includes dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation with packed lunches for the walking days.
For the guided walking package, an experienced guide will lead you along the route and transport is provided to the start and from the end of each days walking, with options for a pick up along the route in case of any problems.
This itinerary includes Selworthy Beacon – with spectacular views over the moor and on to Hurlstone Point overlooking the magnificent Porlock Bay. You’ll also pass Hollow Brook – one of the highest waterfalls in Britain, dropping 200 metres to the sea. On the final day, you’ll tackle Great Hangman: the highest point on the Coast Path at 1043 feet above sea level.
Holiday Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE AT YARN MARKET HOTEL, DUNSTER
DAY 2: MINEHEAD TO PORLOCK WEIR
Leave the bustle of Minehead behind on this the first section of the 630-mile trail, along the coast of wild Exmoor – the loftiest stretch of coastline in England with cliffs rising to 250m /820feet. Follow the dramatic route which runs closer to the coast, or stay inland on the moor and enjoy the expansive views from Selworthy Beacon. There’s plenty to look out for as the Exmoor coast provides a rich habitat for many beautiful and rare species of flora and fauna. Transport back to the Yarn Market Hotel. 15 km / 9.3 miles
DAY 3: PORLOCK WEIR TO COUNTISBURY
This section of the Coast Path, journeys over dramatic cliff paths and through beautiful wooded combes with seasonal waterfalls and streams. From Culbone, follow the clifftop route for spectacular views across the Bristol Channel to the Welsh coast or take the more direct path through ancient Culbone Woods. Either way, this is a dramatic landscape which provided the inspiration for the wild coastal settings in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Kubla Khan and The Ancient Mariner. Transport back to the Yarn Market Hotel. 16.5 km / 10.3 miles
DAY 4: COUNTISBURY TO HUNTERS INN
There’s the option to take a short cut up the cliffs by using the Victorian water-powered cliff railway, but strict enthusiasts will take the zig zag path up the hill instead. This leads to the spectacular rock formations of The Valley of Rocks. This is part of R. D. Blackmore’s Lorna Doone territory and the landscape is so extraordinary that legend has explained its origin as the acts of the Devil. The days itinerary finishes at Heddon Valley where a drink at the Hunters Inn beckons. Transport back to the Yarn Market Hotel. 13.6 km / 8.5 miles
DAY 5: HUNTERS INN TO COMBE MARTIN
The final day includes a challenging climb out of the Heddon Valley to reach the highest point of the South West Coast Path, finishing with a long descent into Combe Martin providing lovely views out over the Bristol Channel and along one of the most beautiful stretches of the north coast. Transport back to the Yarn Market Hotel. 11.4km / 7.1 miles
DAY 6: DEPART HOTEL AFTER BREAKFAST
Prices
Prices based on 5 nights Dinner Bed and Breakfast at the Yarn Market Hotel, Dunster with 4 days walking. Prices are per person and include packed lunches 2019 - 2020
| Description | One person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 or more people |
| Arranging own transport - self guided | ||||
| Using route maps supplied | £450 | £400 | £375 | £350 |
| Using own car with transport provided in the morning delivering own car to finish of days walk then taking guests on to start of walk | ||||
| Using route maps supplied | £650 | £500 | £445 | £400 or less |
| Full transport provided – self guided | ||||
| Using route maps supplied | £850 | £600 | £515 | £450 or less |
| Full transport provided and Fully guided | ||||
| £1150 | £750 | £615 | £525 or less | |
| NOTE: We always have at least one fully transported and guided walk arranged for a future date and if you join this walk then the cost will be £525 even if you are coming alone or as a couple. Please enquire about the next SWCP walking break Tel 01643-821425 | ||||
Exmoor Walking Holidays are proud to be working in association with England's Great Walking Trails.
