Walk - Bude to Crackington Haven

Highlights

• The 1830’s octagonal Storm Tower on Compass Point, also known as the Tower of the Winds, was rebuilt in the 1880’s matching the Temple of the Winds in Athens.
• Watching the surfers from Efford Beacon. On a clear day it is even possible to see some of the inland tors of Dartmoor.
• Spotting grey seals from the magnificent cliffs at Phillip’s Point Nature Reserve, with views north to Hartland Point and south to Widemouth Bay. Sea campion and pink thrift grow in abundance here.
• Searching for marine wildlife in the many rockpools of Widemouth Bay.
• The folded, contorted strata of Millook Cliffs are of national importance. They can be appreciated better from the beach below.
• Spotting the many butterflies in the steep stream valleys. The local name for Chipman Valley is actually Butterfly Valley due to the many red admirals, pearl-bordered fritillaries, ringlets and meadow browns found here.
• Looking down on Dizzard Wood’s sessile oak trees which are stunted by the force of the Atlantic winds. This stretch of coastal woodland is of international biological importance for the many rare lichens and mosses which enjoy the exceptionally clean air of the North Cornwall coast. Dizzard Wood is actually said to be a remnant from the prehistoric wood that once covered the entire country.
• Tremendous views from Castle Point.
• The many waterfalls, including the final one at Aller Shoot.
• The fantastic views from Pencannow Point to Hartland Point, Tintagel and out to Lundy Island. In the summer, the valley below becomes ablaze with colour from masses of heathers and gorse.
• Resting on the beach and looking at the extraordinary geology and rich coastal heathland around the enclosed bay of Crackington Haven.

Shorter option

There are plenty of buses running between Bude and Widemouth Bay, so you could walk out to the Bay and bus back or vice versa.

Longer option

Continue on to Boscastle (an additional 6.7 miles, 10.8 km).

Public transport

There are a couple of good bus services running between Exeter (which has a mainline train station) and Bude. The Western Greyhound 595 bus service runs every 2 hours between Bude and Crackington Haven. For details visit Traveline or phone 0870 6082608.

Parking

Bude (Postcode for Sat Navs: EX23 8LG), Widemouth Bay, just inland of Lower Longbeak and Crackington Haven.