- Difficulty
- Challenging
Severe
- Start
- Hartland Quay
- Finish
- Bude
- Length
- 15.2 miles (24.5 km)
- Summary
This spectacular section is said to be the toughest part of the entire South West Coast Path and involves a long hard day of walking, with some very relentless and tiring ascents and descents. It is, however, definitely worth the effort! The Coast Path climbs above the rocky shoreline, notorious for shipwrecks (over 150 ships lost on the rocky outcrops between Morwenstow and Bude), past tumbling waterfalls, across secluded combes, crossing ten river valleys before easing on the approach to Bude.
There is a real sense of isolation here and the views are stunning, in particular those from Higher Sharpnose Point and Steeple Point. A less strenuous section, following enticingly sandy beaches, leads you into Bude and the end of this challenging and extremely rewarding section of the South West Coast Path.
- Public Transport
The First North Devon X9 bus runs every 2 hours from Exeter Bus Station to Stratton (and Bude).
From Stratton you can take the 319 to the village of Hartland.
Trains run regularly between Exeter and Barnstaple.
The Stagecoach 319 service runs between Barnstaple and Hartland.
For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the bus stops, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.
- Nearest car park
Hartland Quay (Postcode for Sat Navs: EX39 6DU), Milford, Welcombe Mouth, Morwenstow, Duckpool, Sandy Mouth, Maer Cliff and Bude.
- Nearest toilets
Hartland Quay, Morwenstow, Sandy Mouth and Bude.
- Nearest refreshments
Hartland Quay Hotel and shop will provide refreshments at the beginning of the walk, but there are limited opportunities further on so it is worth planning ahead. There is the award-winning Big-Barn member The Rectory Farm Tearoom at Crosstown near Morwenstow, Tel: 01288 331251, and a seasonal National Trust café at Sandy Mouth. You will find a good selection of pubs, shops and restaurants in Bude.
