The Nautical Trail - 7 Day South West Coast Path Trail

About

Explore the beautiful South Devon coastline with this 7-day walking trail following the South West Coast Path from Plymouth to Dartmouth. Choose between doing the whole trail or splitting it across your holiday.  For more information on the walks visit: www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk

DAY 1
Plymouth’s maritime history awaits you on the 3.7-mile Plymouth Waterfront walk between Sutton Harbour and Royal William Yard. Start on the historic docks of the Barbican and visit the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for the New World in 1620. The next stop is Plymouth Hoe, where there’s a statue, Sir Francis Drake. The final stop is the former naval storehouses at Royal William Yard, now home to restaurants and galleries.

DAY 2
The picture-postcard village of Noss Mayo is 10 miles south east of Plymouth. It’s part of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - a protected area covering 130 square miles. From the colourful shoreside cottages of the village, follow the 4.2-mile Noss Mayo and Revelstoke Drive walk.

DAY 3
Head to Kingston (18 miles east of Plymouth) for the Westcombe & Wonwell trail. Start on footpaths and bridleways before hitting the Coast Path at Westcombe. Continue on a stretch of rocky coast before heading back to Kingston or go east along the Coast Path into Bigbury-on-Sea. Bigbury’s most famous landmark is Burgh Island, home to a hotel, as well as a beach house, built as a writer’s retreat for Agatha Christie. Walk across at low tide then get the sea tractor back.

DAY 4
Head to Thurlestone (20.9 miles south east of Plymouth and 5.5 miles west of Kingsbridge). From here, join the 3.8-mile Bantham and Thurlestone circular walk to Bantham village which was once a smuggler’s haven. Bantham Beach is one of the south coast’s best surf beaches. Take the Coast Path back towards Thurlestone across dunes, headlands and past the wonderful arched Thurlestone Rock.

DAY 5 
Start in Salcombe (20.8 miles south of Dartmouth) and walk through woods and picturesque thatched villages, before hitting the coast at Soar Mill Cove. From here it’s a challenging hike through steep valleys and across cliffs towards Bolt Head. Follow the South West Coast Path straight through to Sharp Tor, with views down to the Salcombe estuary.

DAY 6 
Join the path at Start Point (14 miles south of Dartmouth) for the 2.1-mile Start Point and Great Mattiscombe Sand walk. Follow the exposed peninsula to the Start Point lighthouse, contine west to Great Mattiscombe. Take the steps down to the beach, before circling back on the inland trail. From here it’s a 30-minute walk or 10-minute drive to Hallsands, where you can see the ruins of the former fishing community.

DAY 7 

Situated at the mouth of the River Dart, Dartmouth has a long maritime history which can be explored on the Dartmouth Castle & Gallants Bower walk (3.4 miles). Hop on board a ferry along the Dart estuary to Dittisham. Summon the ferry for the short hop across to Greenway. This National Trust house and estate was once owned by Agatha Christie who described it as the ‘the loveliest place in the world’. From here there’s a  riverside walk towards Kingswear, where the Higher Ferry crosses the narrow channel back to Dartmouth.

It’s best to have your own car to make the most of your visit to this area. There are regular buses, but they are few and far between for smaller villages. However, a combination of bus and taxi travel will make this possible. Local routes are served by Plymouth Citybus, Stagecoach Southwest and Tally Ho. Visit www.travelinesw.com.