Route changes

The South West Coast Path owes its unique character to natural processes. Our coastline would not look so beautiful and dramatic if it wasn't for cliff and beach erosion. The downside is that sometimes cliff falls or landslips close sections of the Coast Path resulting in temporary inland diversions, which can occasionally be quite lengthy, being needed. In these instances, always follow signing and information on the ground.

We are also constantly looking for opportunities to improve the route in the few places where it is not as good as it could be.

If you have recently seen a route change in our magazine or Officlal Guide which isn't listed below, please assume that this is because the route is now open once again. This page is kept up to date to the best of our ability.

January and February 2026 Storms and consistent rainfall impacts the SWCP

Some parts of the path and access routes in the South West have been impacted by Storms Goretti, Ingrid and Chandra. In addition, the South West has seen extreme levels of rainfall that has led to flooding, coastal erosion, cliff falls and landslips. We advise to check routes and weather forecasts before setting out.

If you see a problem on the Path please report HERE.

• Exmoor and North Devon: Minehead to the Cornwall border (6 route changes)

  Exmoor Route Improvement - North Hill and Hurlstone Point

  There have been 6x route change improvements to the South West Coast Path along the 35 mile Exmoor section. These improvements have been created as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIII ECP) establishment works. These changes enhance the experience of the South West Coast Path, bringing the Trail more seaward. The South West Coast Path remains the National Trail starting in Minehead, Somerset, and finishing in Poole, Dorset, and will become part of the 2,700 mile KCIII ECP.

  Exmoor Route Improvement - Worthy

  There have been 6x route change improvements to the South West Coast Path along the 35 mile Exmoor section. These improvements have been created as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIII ECP) establishment works. These changes enhance the experience of the South West Coast Path, bringing the Trail more seaward. The South West Coast Path remains the National Trail starting in Minehead, Somerset, and finishing in Poole, Dorset, and will become part of the 2,700 mile KCIII ECP.

  Exmoor Route Improvement - Glenthorne

  There have been 6x route change improvements to the South West Coast Path along the 35 mile Exmoor section. These improvements have been created as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIII ECP) establishment works. These changes enhance the experience of the South West Coast Path, bringing the Trail more seaward. The South West Coast Path remains the National Trail starting in Minehead, Somerset, and finishing in Poole, Dorset, and will become part of the 2,700 mile KCIII ECP.

  Exmoor Route Improvement - Lee Abbey

  There have been 6x route change improvements to the South West Coast Path along the 35 mile Exmoor section. These improvements have been created as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIII ECP) establishment works. These changes enhance the experience of the South West Coast Path, bringing the Trail more seaward. The South West Coast Path remains the National Trail starting in Minehead, Somerset, and finishing in Poole, Dorset, and will become part of the 2,700 mile KCIII ECP.

  Exmoor Route Improvement - Cobblers Park, Combe Martin

  There have been 6x route change improvements to the South West Coast Path along the 35 mile Exmoor section. These improvements have been created as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIII ECP) establishment works. These changes enhance the experience of the South West Coast Path, bringing the Trail more seaward. The South West Coast Path remains the National Trail starting in Minehead, Somerset, and finishing in Poole, Dorset, and will become part of the 2,700 mile KCIII ECP.

  North Devon Route Improvement - Down End near Croyde

  There has been a route change improvement to the South West Coast Path at Down End, near Croyde. This improvement has been created as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIII ECP) establishment works. This improvement enhances the experience of the South West Coast Path, taking the trail off a busy road.

• North Cornwall: Devon border to Newquay (3 route changes)

  Tintagel - Temporary Path Closure and Diversion

  18th December 2025 - The path near Tintagel castle has been washed away due to severe flooding from the recent rainfall.

  Whipsiderry Beach, Cornwall: Temporary Path Closure and Diversion

  April 2021: Cornwall Council has temporarily closed part of the South West Coast Path between Whipsiderry Beach and Porth Beach near Newquay. This is for public safety reasons due to cliff instability. An alternative route is available.

  Newquay Coastal Erosion

  February 2026 - The path near North Pier in Newquay is closed and diverted after a landslip.

• West Cornwall: Newquay to Falmouth (2 route changes)

  Newquay Coastal Erosion

  February 2026 - The path near North Pier in Newquay is closed and diverted after a landslip.

  Route Improvement - Porthoustock to Porthallow

  There has been a route improvement to the South West Coast Path on the stretch between Porthoustock to Porthallow. This improvement has been created as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIII ECP) establishment works. This change enhances the experience of the South West Coast Path, bringing the Trail more seaward and no longer having to walk along the roads. The South West Coast Path remains the National Trail starting in Minehead, Somerset, and finishing in Poole, Dorset, and will become part of the 2,700 mile KCIII ECP.

• South East Cornwall: Falmouth to Plymouth (3 route changes)

  St Martins (near Millendreath)

  Feb 2026 - Following a landslip, in the woods on this route, the path has needed to be diverted between Millendreath and Seaton.

  Polhawn Cove, Rame

  March 2024 - Temporary diversion in place due to a landslip at Polhawn Cove near Rame

  Tregonhawke

  March 2026 - Following further coastal instability the section of Coast path near Tregonhawke, Whitsand Bay, between Grid refs: SX 40985 51272 to SX41390 50994, has been closed.

• South Devon: Plymouth to Exmouth (5 route changes)

  Cremyll Ferry landing at Royal William Yard

  November 2025 - The Cremyll ferry, which takes Coast Path users between Cornwall and Plymouth, is now landing in Royal William Yard. The slip at Admirals Hard is currently closed for repair works.

  Turnchapel to Mount Batten: Path Closure and Diversion

  January 2021: A short section of the South West Coast Path National Trail has been diverted for public safety reasons. An alternative route is available to bypass this closed section of path.

  Passage Wood, Noss Mayo

  March 2025 - A short diversion onto the higher track due to a landslip on the route of the Coast Path.

  South Devon Route Improvement - Stoke Fleming

  There has been a route change improvement to the South West Coast Path at Stoke Fleming. This improvement has been created as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIII ECP) establishment works. This improvement enhances the experience of the South West Coast Path, taking the trail off a section of road.

  The Ness, Shaldon

  April 2026 - Due to a recent landslide the SWCP through the Ness, near Shaldon has been diverted.

• East Devon & Dorset: Exmouth to Poole Harbour (7 route changes)

  Under Hooken, near Branscombe

  March 2026 - The coast path from Branscombe through Under Hooken on the way to Beer is closed due to subsidence.

  Ladram Bay

  June 2024: A short section of the SWCP has been diverted at Ladram Bay after a landslip. An alternative route is available.

  Peak Hill near Sidmouth

  27th October 2024 - A short diversion has been put in place after a large landslip at Peak Hill near Sidmouth.

  West Bay to Burton Bradstock

  Feb 2024 - Due to a landslip the Coast Path between West Bay to Burton Bradstock is diverted. Please follow the diversion route signed on site.

  Diversion Tout Quarry, Portland

  Due to coastal erosion an inland diversion has been put in place with the path now running through Tout Quarry.

  Route change from Lyme Regis Golf Club to Charmouth

  June 2022 - Since Major cliff falls back in 2001 this part of the walk had been shown as a 'diversion' in the expectation that the Path could be reinstated along the cliff top. However, the ongoing instability of the cliffs has meant that this has not been possible, and so the Path has been routed inland and across the golf course. In 2022 a route was established with the permission of the golf course which allows walkers to follow a stone surfaced waymarked route avoiding the A3052.

  Church Ope Cove, Portland

  July 2025 - Due to falling rocks the section of the path above Church Ope Cove has been closed and a diversion is in place.

When a cliff fall affecting the path is reported, the County Council or National Trust rangers will immediately inspect it, and if it looks dangerous they will close off the affected section. They will then start to work on setting up a diversion, which initially will be on the nearest paths and roads around the closure. If this diversion isn’t as good as possible, once the cliff has stabilised, they will then liaise with neighbouring landowners to try and negotiate a new route close (but leaving a safe distance) to the ‘new’ cliff edge. Sometimes this is a simple, quick process, but can get complicated and protracted if there are limitations in terms of terrain (and thus amount of construction required), wildlife habitats (e.g. you can’t cut a new path through scrub during the nesting season) or impacts on someone’s garden.

Funding these repairs and construction of new paths places even more strain on an already stretched Coast Path budget, so donations towards this work are always most welcome.

If you are out and spot a recent cliff fall or other hazard that presents an imminent risk to walkers, please either contact the Coastguard on 999, or the relevant County Council (Cornwall: 0300 1234 202, Devon: 0345 155 1004, Dorset: 01305 224463).