Day 1 / Section 4 – Combe Martin to Ilfracombe
Moderate / Strenuous – 5.4 miles
“Down, down, down into Combe Martin, a pretty little Devon village on the beach, with supposedly the longest village street in the country, winding two miles inland up the narrow valley.”
© Raynor Winn, The Salt Path, 2018
Getting to Combe Martin
The 301 bus service operates between Combe Martin and Barnstaple. To get to Barnstaple, catch a train from Exeter St David’s; Exeter’s main train station which connects trains from London, Plymouth and Penzance. For walkers between Combe Martin and Ilfracombe, the Exmoor Explorer—formerly the Exmoor Coaster—is returning for summer 2025 with a daily service running from Sunday 25 May until Sunday 31 August, with open-top buses returning from Wednesday 23 July. The Exmoor Explorer takes passengers through some of Exmoor’s most scenic and charming locations from Minehead to Ilfracombe, and is a fantastic eco-friendly transport option with £3 single fares. Plan your journey with First Bus.
Stay at Newbury Beach Lodge, explore friendly B&Bs like the Lion House and Channel Vista Guest House or head up the hill to the Pack of Cards pub and restaurant. There’s camping just 1 mile off the Path at Sandaway Beach Holiday Park.
Starting in the charming seaside village of Combe Martin, on the western fringes of Exmoor, this section boasts impressive cliffs, craggy headlands and tucked-away rocky inlets. Leave the village and climb gently under a canopy of woodland. Soon, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views over the idyllic Broadsands Beach, framed by lush, wooded cliffs — there is no current access to the beach, following a recent landslip. The path then winds towards Watermouth Cove, a peaceful, sheltered harbour often dotted with moored boats. At low tide, adventurous walkers can skirt around the base of Widmouth Head and Rillage Point, adding a wild, coastal twist to the route. Rejoining the path near Hele Bay, the trail hugs the cliffs with panoramic views across the sea to Wales and Lundy Island. End the day with a climb up and over Hillsborough (the sleeping elephant), before descending into the vibrant harbour town of Ilfracombe.
Stay, Eat & Do
If you’re looking to fuel up before you start, stop off for breakfast at The Sawmills in Berrynarbor. As you approach Ilfracombe, grab a coffee at the Bay Café in Hele or continue to the Pier Café at Ilfracombe’s Aquarium. Check in to the Ocean Backpackers for an affordable hostel stay or find budget camping at White Pebbles Backpackers. Alternatively, discover some walker-friendly B&Bs like Avoncourt Lodge or opt for the tranquil woodland surroundings of The Devonian Guest House.
Day 2 / Section 5 – Ilfracombe to Woolacombe
Easy / Moderate – 8.5 miles
“A long way out, but Lundy was now in full view and beyond it the coast of Wales curled to the north, then slipped out of sight.”
© Raynor Winn, The Salt Path, 2018
Day two is a wild and rugged stretch, characterised by grass-topped cliffs, numerous small coves, and a foreshore of rock ledges. Leave Ilfracombe Harbour and head towards Capstone Point, climbing the steps behind the quirky Landmark Theatre, a distinctive double-conical building known locally as “the double conker.” From here, join the Torrs Walk, a dramatic National Trust path that winds west along high cliffs, with views that open up with every turn, before descending into Lee Bay, a small, sandy beach. Beyond Lee, the path becomes more challenging, crossing two steep combes before reaching Bull Point and its working lighthouse, first constructed in 1879, which guides ships safely past Mortehoe, Woolacombe and Ilfracombe. Push on to the historic village of Mortehoe, then out to Morte Point, a headland steeped in shipwreck lore. Offshore lies the infamous Morte Stone, a sunken reef of jagged outcrops known to sailors of old as the Death Stone. With Baggy Point in view across the bay, descend through Combesgate Valley to the golden sands of Woolacombe, your end point for the day and a brilliant spot for a sea swim or a surf.
Stay, Eat & Do
Take time to savour the picturesque village of Lee Bay by stopping off at the Old Schoolroom Craft Gallery to savour local artists and pick up coffee, drinks and ice cream. You can get your Coast Path Passport stamped here too. Next stop, Mortehoe Museum to discover some local history. Pitch up before Woolacombe at Warcombe Farm Camping Park or Lee Meadow Camping or head into the village to Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park or nearby Little Roadway Camping Park. Relax in comfort at the Lundy House Hotel and don’t forget to pay The Porthole a visit for delicious food, beer and views over the dunes.
Day 3 / Section 6 – Woolacombe to Croyde
Moderate – 5.2 miles
“The white, granular dunes rolled away down towards the Taw estuary, a fine shifting gravel like ground coral, not really like sand at all. The Burrows seemed to stretch on forever, one of the largest sand dune ecosystems in the country, covered in vegetation and humming with insect life.”
© Raynor Winn, The Salt Path, 2018
This final stretch is a stunning send-off, showcasing some of North Devon’s most iconic coastline. Start your walk on Woolacombe’s sweeping beach, a vast golden bay backed by a rolling line of dunes and grassland. Heading south, the trail leads into the Woolacombe Warren dunes – a haven for wildflowers, butterflies, and the occasional skylark overhead. At low tide, you can stroll right along the beach to Putsborough Sands, a quieter, more sheltered stretch, or continue along the high-level path above, winding through dune grass and cliffside views. From Putsborough, the route climbs gradually to the end of Baggy Point, its dramatic cliffs providing tremendous sea views. Keep an eye out for peregrine falcons, kestrels, and even grey seals basking on the rocks below. In spring and summer, the cliffs explode with sea thrift, campion, and stonecrop. After rounding the headland, descend into the laid-back village of Croyde, a popular surf destination where cream teas await.
Stay, Eat & Do
Stop off at the beach shop and cafe at Putsborough for great food and drink before continuing into Croyde. If you’re feeling peckish after Baggy Point, grab some surf-inspired street food at Biffen’s Kitchen at Ocean View campsite or head on into the village for a pint at the famous local pub, The Thatch (rooms also available). More camping at Freshwell Camping, stylish rooms at Baggy’s surf lodge and plenty of B&Bs including Breakers B&B and Sandy Hollow.
Onward travel
Travel back to the start on the 301 bus service, which connects Croyde, Combe Martin and Barnstaple.
Up next: Westward Ho! to Bude
A Taste of The Salt Path
Plan your trip with the Official Guide to the South West Coast Path. The Official Guide is written and produced by the South West Coast Path Association, the charity that protects and champions Britain’s longest National Trail. Containing 52 days of walks across the entire 630-mile National Trail, tides times, accommodation providers and places to eat and drink, our handy guide is sure to help you on your journey—whether you’re planning a weekend trip or even taking on the entire trail.
Check out places to Stay, Eat & Do on the South West Coast Path, and head to our website to learn more about The Salt Path and to download our press pack.
The South West Coast Path 