Morte Point Walk
The Morte Point walk is the short dramatic headland route from Mortehoe, with open cliff-top walking, Atlantic views, seals and coastal wildlife above Woolacombe.
Walk guide
Morte Point from Mortehoe village
The Morte Point walk is the short, dramatic headland route from Mortehoe, just above Woolacombe. It suits visitors who want a proper North Devon coast path feel without committing to a whole day hike: open cliff-top walking, jagged rocks, sea views, wildlife watching and enough exposure to make weather planning matter.
From Woolacombe, treat Morte Point as a half-day outing rather than a beach stroll. Mortehoe village is about a mile from Woolacombe by road, and the classic route starts from the village before heading west and north-west onto the National Trust coast path. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the shorter loop, or longer if you are walking up from Woolacombe or linking the walk with nearby coves.
Route summary
Quick route summary
- Start: Mortehoe village, then follow signs for the coast path towards Morte Point.
- Distance: about 2.2 miles for the shorter National Trust route, or 3 to 4 miles if you make a wider out-and-back or loop.
- Time: 1.5 to 2 hours at an easy pace, with extra time for children, photos and wildlife watching.
- Terrain: grassy coast path, uneven rocky sections near the point, mud after rain and exposed cliff-top ground.
The route is short on paper, but it is not pushchair or wheelchair friendly beyond the easier early sections. Wear footwear with grip, take a layer even in summer, and keep children and dogs away from cliff edges. Wind and rain can change the feel of the walk quickly on the exposed headland.
The headland
What makes Morte Point special?
Morte Point is where the Woolacombe side of the coast turns into a sharper, more Atlantic headland. The dark, broken rocks below the path give the point its drama, and the sea around them can look restless even on a clear day. In good visibility you may see Lundy offshore, Baggy Point and Croyde to the south, and the coast towards Ilfracombe to the north.
The headland also sits in a protected landscape context. Morte Point is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, valued for maritime heath, coastal, cliff and foreshore habitats. For visitors, that means staying on paths, watching wildlife from a distance and letting the place feel wild without disturbing it.
Wildlife
Seals, birds and local history
Grey seals are often the wildlife visitors hope for at Morte Point. They can be seen around the rocks below the point, but sightings are never guaranteed and should always be treated as a quiet-watch experience rather than something to approach. Binoculars help. Keep dogs close, give seals plenty of space, and be especially careful if you see pups or animals hauled out on rocks. For detailed seasonal timing and responsible viewing advice, read the Woolacombe seal spotting guide.
The cliffs and heath also support coastal birds and seasonal wildflowers. Spring and summer can bring more bird activity, while autumn and winter often feel wilder and can be good months to scan carefully for seals from the path. Conditions, light and wildlife all vary, so avoid planning the walk around any single promised sighting.
Morte Point has long been linked with wrecks, smugglers and wreckers. Use that history as colour rather than the whole story. The reefs and tide-torn rocks made this a dangerous place for shipping, and they still explain why the headland feels so raw compared with the gentler beach below.
From Woolacombe
Planning it from Woolacombe
If you are staying in Woolacombe, Morte Point works well when Woolacombe Beach is windy, the tide is wrong for rockpooling, or you want a break from the sand. Start from Mortehoe if you want the easiest version. Walk up from Woolacombe only if you are happy adding distance and climb before you reach the headland.
Check the forecast before setting out, especially visibility, wind and rain. The main Morte Point walk is on the coast path, so it is not governed by the tide in the same way as a beach route, but tide awareness still matters if you plan to continue to Rockham Bay, Grunta Beach, Barricane or other nearby coves. Use the live weather and tide panels before combining the walk with beaches or rocks.
For a longer day, link Morte Point into the wider Woolacombe walks network. Stronger walkers can continue north towards Bull Point, Lee Bay and Ilfracombe using the Woolacombe to Ilfracombe walk guide, or return to Woolacombe via Mortehoe for a village-and-headland loop. For a slower family day, pair the walk with Mortehoe village and leave enough daylight for the return. For the longer southern route, the Woolacombe to Croyde walk follows the coast path south via Baggy Point — a contrasting full-day companion to the Morte Point loop. For the short National Trust circular from Croyde village around the headland itself, see the Baggy Point walk guide.
Timing
Best time to go
Morning can give clearer light across the rocks and north coast. Late afternoon can be beautiful on calm days, and sunset from this north-west-facing headland can be memorable, but only choose it if you have time to return before dark. For more low-key evening ideas, see the Woolacombe sunset guide.
Checked 8 July 2026
Sources used
- National Trust Morte Point walk guidance for the 2.2-mile route, 1.5 to 2 hour duration, Mortehoe start point, uneven or rocky sections and dogs under close control.
- South West Coast Path Morte Point route for longer walk context, steep sections, rare coastal heathland, seal/dolphin caveat and shipwreck-rock history.
- North Devon Council planning text and North Devon Coast National Landscape context for Morte Point SSSI and maritime heath, coastal cliff and foreshore habitat claims.
- Wildlife Trusts and Natural England guidance for grey seal seasonality and disturbance caution.