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Abtot Logo. Encounter Walking Holidays member number 5357

Itinerary

Section 1

Plymouth to Noss Mayo

​An absorbing first mornings walk through the Maritime past and present of Plymouth.

Section 2

Noss Mayo to Bigbury

To catch the Yealm Ferry, wave and shout “ferry” at the top of your voice!

Section 3

Bigbury to Salcombe

The start of today’s walk is famous for its white clover, sea thrift and marguerite daisies

Section 4

Salcombe to Torcross

Today features a rocky Coastline with a switchback of ascents and descents

Section 5

Torcross to Dartmouth

Get a respite from the cliffs with a long flat beach section along the Slapton Ley Nature Reserve

Section 6

Dartmouth to Brixham

At the end of today's walk, reflect on your journey from a Napoleonic Headland Fort.

Mouth of the iver Avon at Bantham

South West Coast Path Section 7,

Plymouth to Brixham.

South West Coast Path Section 7,

Plymouth to Brixham.

Loved walking this section though it needs some logistical planning as it includes 3 small ferry rides, one estuary to wade at low tide and miles of open space on the remotest section of the Devon South Coast - stunning

Mark -  I.T. Manager at Encounter 

Wide sea views, magnificent cliff paths and golden beaches are just one part of the story. The Ancient Maritime and Estuaries route gives a week of world class trail walking creating a patchwork of experiences based on our drama and history with the untamed sea.

Lost villages, intrepid explorers, smugglers, the founders of the “new world”, you will walk through all beaches their stories and their scenery on the Devon Coast Path to Brixham. 

You will need to navigate a spectacular run of five...

Overview

Interactive Map

Pricing on this route

A single walker staying in single or single occupancy en-suite rooms can expect to pay somewhere between £170 and £200 per night, including luggage transfers.

Two people sharing a double or twin en-suite room can expect to pay somewhere between £120 and £150 per person per night,  inclusive of luggage transfers.

Please be aware that these prices depend on accommodation chosen, time of year, etc. and are indicative only, based on customers walking with us between 2021 and 2023. For accurate pricing please request a quote.

Our prices include -

- Your choices of good quality en-suite B&B, Inn and small hotel accommodation with full breakfast (where available), together with upgrade options.

- Detailed walking route planning and ongoing support from specialist walking advisors from your enquiry through to the end of the walk

- A full booking administration and holiday management service including information on travel to and from your walking routes

- Secure and reliable daily luggage transfers between accommodations

- The best available maps & guidebooks along with your own personal detailed route notes & itinerary posted to you whether you are based in the UK or overseas

Please see below for six factors which affect your quoted price - 

1 - The time of year you are walking -  The low season (outside of May to September) is generally cheaper than the peak months.

2 - How early you book. Cheaper accommodation tends to book out first so to get the best prices and choice of accommodation we recommend you book as early as you can. Bookings open for the season the previous summer.

3 - Which routes and areas you choose - Cornwall, South Devon and Dorset are the more expensive regions while Wales, Somerset, North Devon and Dartmoor tend to offer better prices. We also often run seasonal special offers on certain routes so ask if these would be of interest.

4 - Type of accommodation  -  You can choose to upgrade to luxury hotels or downgrade to basic B&B's and we will try to match your walk to your budget. Quotes will show standard options and the costs for any upgrades so you can pick and choose to suit your plans.

5 - The number of walkers - rates are generally based on 2 walkers -  the more walkers the cheaper prices get as we split the costs of providing the walk between the group.

6 - Luggage Transfers - our quotes include two prices - with and without luggage transfers so if you want to keep the costs down you can choose to carry your own luggage to avoid those charges.

If you want to try to get the lowest prices let us know your budget - we can advise honestly and openly what is possible - we don't want to see anyone unable to walk the routes due to costs.

 

To request a quote costs nothing and there is no commitment to book - so do try us! We usually have quotes emailed back to you within a few days and these documents are very detailed with accommodation choices, website links to the accommodations, route descriptions, daily walking grade and mileage, travel info to the trail and of course a guaranteed price to consider.  All for the specific walk YOU want.

Route profile and options

Standard Route
Day 1
Plymouth to Noss Mayo
12.5 miles
Day 2
Noss Mayo to Bigbury
13.5 miles
Day 3
Bigbury to Salcombe
13 miles
Day 4
Salcombe to Torcross
Day 5
Torcross to Dartmouth
13 miles
10.5 miles
Day 6
Dartmouth to Brixham
11 miles
Daily average 12.8 miles
Relaxed Route
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Daily average 10.4 miles
Plymouth to Noss Mayo (ferry route)
Noss Mayo to the Erme Estuary
Erme Estuary to Hope Cove
Hope Cove to Salcombe
Salcombe to Beesands
Beesands to Dartmouth
Dartmouth to Brixham
7.5 miles
9 miles
11 miles
8 miles
11.5 miles
11.5 miles
11 miles
Two Days Walking
Salcombe to Dartmouth - 23 miles
Ave. 11.5 miles daily
Torcross to Brixham - 21.5 miles
Ave. 10.75 miles daily
Salcombe to Slapton - 15 miles
Ave. 7.5 miles daily
Three Days Walking
Plymouth to Salcombe - 42.5 miles
Ave. 14.2 miles daily
Salcombe to Brixham - 34.5 miles
Ave. 11.5 miles daily
Bigbury to Dartmouth - 37.5 miles
Ave. 11.5 miles daily
Plymouth to Bigbury - 30 miles
(includes short last day to explore Burgh Island)
Ave. 10 miles daily

Travel to and from the route

Train Arrival  - Fast direct trains run from London, The Midlands and the North to Plymouth station - Fastest trains from London take only 3 hours.

Train Departure -  From Brixham regular buses take 20 minutes to Paignton Station or 50 minutes to Torquay.  Trains run back to London Paddington from Paignton (most change at Exeter) taking 3 hours 20 minutes OR a similar time from Torquay changing at Newton Abbot Station on route.  You can if you want a relaxing end to your holiday also take a ferry across Torbay from Brixham to Torquay instead of the bus or we can arrange a private transfer.

Those arriving or departing at Dartmouth can travel out in style and use the superb Dartmouth Steam Railway to reach the main trainline at Paignton.

Reviews and feedback

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