North Devon walking holidays: routes, bases and planning guide
The South West Coast Path through North Devon is one of England's most dramatic coastal walks: cliff-top exposure, deep combes, sandy bays and moorland edge. This guide covers the key routes, the best time to come, and how to use Woolacombe as your walking base.
2.5 mile circular from Mortehoe. Dramatic headland with seal views.
Baggy Point3 mile circular from Croyde. Wildflowers, cliff views and easy paths.
Woolacombe to Croyde5.5 miles one-way along cliff and beach. Ends at a pub in Croyde.
SWCPThe full coastal route through this section. Day stages or multi-day.
Overview
Why North Devon for a walking holiday
The South West Coast Path through North Devon — from Braunton Burrows to Combe Martin and beyond — is among the most dramatic sections of England's longest National Trail. The terrain combines Atlantic-exposed cliff tops, deep combes dropping to sandy coves, moorland edge above Lynton and Lynmouth, and long stretches of open beach. It rewards walkers who come prepared: the cumulative ascent is significant, paths can be muddy in winter, and the weather is genuinely variable. That is part of the appeal.
Woolacombe sits at the centre of the walking network. Morte Point, Baggy Point, and a section of the SWCP are all accessible on foot from the village without a car. For day-walker visitors, this makes Woolacombe a practical base; for through-walkers on the SWCP, it is a natural overnight stop. The North Devon coastal walks hub has an overview of the wider walking network.
The routes
Key walks at a glance
Morte Point from Mortehoe
2.5 miles circular · Moderate
The most dramatic headland walk in the area. Rocky paths with Atlantic views, grey seals visible from the cliff edge in autumn and winter, and an entirely exposed coastline that turns spectacular on clear days. Not suitable for very young children or unstable conditions. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
Baggy Point from Croyde
~3 miles circular · Easy to moderate
A gentler approach than Morte Point, with wildflowers in spring, good views across to Saunton and Lundy Island, and paths accessible to families with older children. Park at Croyde Bay or the village and pick up the coast path heading south. The point itself is dramatic despite the more manageable approach.
Woolacombe to Croyde
~5.5 miles one-way · Moderate
The classic North Devon coastal route. Starts on Woolacombe beach, climbs to the South West Coast Path above Putsborough, continues past Baggy Point and drops into Croyde. Do it on a clear day. Plan a bus back or arrange a pickup — there is no straightforward circular route that avoids road walking.
South West Coast Path (day stages)
Variable · Moderate to strenuous
The full coastal route can be walked in day stages from Woolacombe or as a multi-day through-walk. The section from Braunton to Combe Martin covers the most scenically varied and physically demanding stretch in North Devon. See the SWCP guide for specific stage distances and what to expect on each section.
The backbone
South West Coast Path through North Devon
The SWCP runs the full length of North Devon's coast. This section — roughly Braunton to Combe Martin, taking in Saunton, Croyde, Baggy Point, Putsborough, Woolacombe, Mortehoe, Morte Point, and Ilfracombe — is among the most spectacular on the entire 630-mile trail. The walking is not easy: cumulative ascent across a full day's stage can exceed 1,000m in places, and the cliff paths are exposed to wind and rain when the Atlantic is active.
The section can be walked north or south, broken into day stages from a fixed base in Woolacombe, or completed as a multi-day through-walk with overnight stops at Braunton, Croyde, Woolacombe, Ilfracombe, and Lynmouth. See the SWCP guide for stage-by-stage planning and the North Devon coastal walks hub for the wider network.
Where to base yourself
Woolacombe as a walking base
Woolacombe is well-positioned for a walking holiday. Morte Point is 1.5 miles from the village on foot; the SWCP is accessible directly from the beach; Baggy Point and Croyde are 5 miles south by road and accessible by coast path. The village has all the practical needs covered: food, accommodation at a range of prices, and a good beach to rest on between walking days.
Many guesthouses and B&Bs in the area are walker-friendly, with drying facilities and early breakfast options. See Woolacombe bed and breakfast for specific options, self-catering for cottage and apartment rentals that suit longer stays, and Woolacombe camping for those who prefer to be outside at the end of the day as well as during it. The full picture of accommodation options is at the Woolacombe accommodation hub.
Planning
Terrain, difficulty and what to bring
North Devon coastal terrain is hillier than it looks on a map. The SWCP involves significant cumulative ascent and descent even on shorter day stages. Paths can be muddy in winter and after rain. Some cliff sections require care in high winds. This is not a reason to stay at home, but it is a reason to be honest with yourself about fitness and footwear before committing to a full-day stage.
For walkers new to the SWCP, the Morte Point and Baggy Point circuits are good calibration walks. Both are 2 to 3 miles, accessible to most adults with reasonable fitness, and give a genuine taste of the terrain before committing to longer routes. The Woolacombe-to-Croyde route is a significant step up in length and should be treated as a proper day out rather than an afternoon stroll.
- Footwear: trail shoes minimum on dry summer days; walking boots for wet or winter conditions.
- Navigation: OS Landranger 180 covers the Woolacombe area. The SWCP is signed but some inland diversions can be confusing off-season when waymarks are less visible.
- Water and food: limited facilities on most coastal sections. Pack enough for the full route; do not rely on finding somewhere to buy lunch on the path.
- Tides: some coast path sections and beach crossings are tide-affected. Check the live tide times before setting out on any walk with a beach element.
When to go
Best time for walking in North Devon
April to June is generally the best time for a North Devon walking holiday: wildflowers on the cliff tops, reasonable weather, pre-summer crowds, and enough daylight for a full day's walking without the intensity of midsummer heat. September and October are similarly rewarding: clearer skies than August on average, autumn colours on the inland sections, smaller crowds, and the first Atlantic swells of autumn making the coast look dramatic.
Summer (July and August) is warm and the footpaths are well-used, which makes navigation easy, but the most popular viewpoints and car parks are very busy. Winter walking is possible on the SWCP but the weather is less predictable and some sections can be genuinely difficult in storms or frost. The Woolacombe weather guide has monthly averages, and best time to visit covers the broader seasonal picture.
Where to stay
Accommodation for walkers
A walking holiday suits a range of accommodation styles. B&Bs and guesthouses work well for single-night or short stays, and several in the Woolacombe area specifically welcome walkers. Self-catering cottages are a good option for groups or longer stays. Camping suits those who want to be outside at both ends of the day. See the links below for specific options.