Home / Things To Do in Devon / Outdoor Activities in Devon / Walking / Long Distance Trails / South West Coast Path / Cornwall border - Barnstaple

Cornwall border - Barnstaple

Distance: 43 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
End points:
- Barnstaple (Grid Ref SS665308)
- Cornwall border (Grid Ref SS213175)

In the east, the path follows the estuary of the Taw and Torridge rivers, much on a former railway making for ideal family walking. West of the estuary, the path rounds the open expanses of Northam Burrows, an area of marsh and shingle. It then embarks on an undulating course, passing the unique village of Clovelly, to the distinctive headland of Hartland Point, Devon's north-west corner. Here, the coast turns to a north-south direction and follows a superb switchback of high cliffs and deep valleys, some with coastal waterfalls. A wild, remote stretch, this is arguably Devon's most dramatic length of coast.

Mileage between towns on route:
Barnstaple - Instow: 6 miles
Instow - Bideford: 3 miles
Bideford - Westward Ho!: 10 miles
Westward Ho! - Clovelly: 11 miles
Clovelly - Hartland Quay: 10 miles
Hartland Quay - Morwenstow (Cornwall): 9 miles

Relevant maps/guides: O.S. Explorer (1:25,000 scale) Maps: 139 Bideford, Ilfracombe & Barnstaple. 126 Clovelly & Hartland

Notes on route: Easy in east, becoming increasingly strenuous towards the Cornwall border.

For more information on the route of this walk, please visit www.southwestcoastpath.com