Walk - Salcombe to Torcross

12.6 miles (20.3 km)

Salcombe Main Car Park - TQ8 8DU Torcross

Moderate - Strenuous

This section of the South West Coast Path is particularly tough, but the spectacular views are certainly very rewarding. Passing out of the shelter of the Salcombe Estuary, you emerge onto a rugged, undeveloped section of coast, much of which is managed by the National Trust.

The path crosses high cliffs to Prawle Point, passing beautiful sandy beaches below, which may tempt you down for a swim. From here you pass extraordinary geological formations. This stretch of coast has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and supports a variety of rare flowers and breeding birds, as well as being one of the few sites in the UK used by the very rare cuckoo bee Nomada sexfasciata.

On windy days the sea crashes wildly against the rugged rocks and these cliffs have claimed many wrecks over the centuries, including the Demetrios in 1992 and one near Moor Sands which is believed to date from the Bronze Age. After a fairly rocky, exposed stretch to Start Point, the Path becomes more level on its journey to Torcross, with just one steep climb near the end. At Torcross your efforts are rewarded with some good restaurants and pubs close to the sea.

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There are a range of wonderful places to lay your head near the Coast Path for a well-earned sleep. From large and luxurious hotels, to small and personable B&B's, as well as self-catering options and campsites. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Kittiwake Cottage

07980310696

Luxury holiday cottage, mid 19th Century, white-washed fisherman's cottage, perfect base for a wonderful holiday in all seasons. Wifi available and dogs welcome.

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Welle House B&B

01548 511151

4 double/twin ensuite rooms in a family home, ½ mile from the path. Dogs very welcome. Good pub nearby.

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East Prawle Farm Holidays

01548 511422

* Budget* Little Hollaway Camping Field, Mollie Tucker's Field Caravan and Motorhome Club CL, Higher House Farm Self Catering Accommodation

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The Cricket Inn

01548 580215

Situated in the quaint fishing village of Beesands, a stone’s throw from the beach. This award-winning pub serves fresh local seafood and offers 7 beautifully designed bedrooms.

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Rocarno B&B

01548 842732

SINGLE NIGHT STAYS. Lovely views. Free wi-fi, free tea & coffee, great breakfasts.

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You'll be spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink along the Path. With lots of local seasonal food on offer, fresh from the farm, field and waters. Try our local ales, ciders, wines and spirits, increasing in variety by the year, as you sit in a cosy pub, fine dining restaurant or chilled café on the beach. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

The Pigs Nose Inn

01548511209

A traditional english pub & live music venue with lots of unique character located on the village green where you can sit and enjoy a walkers ploughman's lunch.

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Highlights

The ferry crossing from Salcombe to East Portlemouth. The ferry runs daily throughout the year. For more details tel: 01548 842061/842364.

The view down to Elender Cove from Gammon Head.

Views from Prawle Point: with a name meaning ‘lookout hill’ it is no wonder that this headland, which is the most southerly point in Devon, has been an important viewpoint for centuries. National Coastwatch volunteers run a watch house here.

The impressive rocky platforms reaching out to the sea, cut by the waves in the last Ice Age.

Looking out for cirl buntings: thanks to the work of local farmers, the RSPB and Natural England, these once threatened birds are returning to the fields and hedgerows around Prawle Point. Farmers leave the fields uncultivated over winter and the remains of crops provide a valuable source of food for these and other birds.

Having a picnic on the beautiful sands of Lannacombe Beach or Great Mattiscombe Sands.

The exhilarating feeling of reaching the exposed peninsula of Start Point and looking over Start Bay opening up ahead. On a clear day it is even possible to make out the Isle of Portland on the horizon.

Hallsands: the ruined fishing village of Hallsands had been precariously built between the cliffs and the sea and was destroyed by storms in 1917, leaving just a view gable ends. Debate has raged ever since about whether offshore dredging of shingle for the construction of Devonport dockyard caused the disaster and you can find out more about this on the Abandoned Communities ... Hallsands website. The cliffs and ruined buildings here are also home to a colony of breeding kittiwakes.

Beesands and Widdicombe Ley: the freshwater lake and surrounding grassland supports a variety of wildlife. There is a bird hide here and more than 180 species of birds have been recorded.

Throwing pebbles in the sea at Torcross at the end of an exhilarating day of walking. There is a memorial here to all the locals who evacuated their homes to make way for allied troops preparing for the Normandy landings.

The American Sherman tank memorial commemorates the hundreds of US servicemen who died here during Operation Tiger when they were attacked by German boats.

Public transport

The nearest train stations are Totnes and Plymouth. Both both towns you can catch buses to Salcombe (change at Kingsbridge) and Torcross. For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the bus stops, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

The ferry from Salcome to East Portlemouth runs daily throughout the year - see our estuaries and ferries page for more information.