The South West Coast Path at Woolacombe: walking England's greatest coastal trail
The SWCP passes directly through Woolacombe and over Morte Point, one of the finest headlands on the entire 630-mile trail. Here is what the path covers, how challenging it is, and how to use Woolacombe as a SWCP base.
Overview
The South West Coast Path through Woolacombe
The South West Coast Path — England's longest National Trail at 630 miles — passes directly through Woolacombe, over the dramatic headland at Mortehoe and Morte Point, and continues south along the North Devon coast. From Woolacombe, the path runs north to Ilfracombe (around 6 miles) and south via Morte Point, Croyde, and Saunton Sands toward Braunton and Barnstaple.
For day walkers, the answer to "can I walk a section of the famous South West Coast Path from Woolacombe?" is a clear yes — and the Morte Point section is one of the finest stretches on the entire trail. For long-distance SWCP walkers planning a section through North Devon, Woolacombe is a practical overnight stop with accommodation, food, and seasonal bus connections to Barnstaple.
Key walks
Three SWCP walks from Woolacombe
Woolacombe to Morte Point and Mortehoe (5 km return)
The most popular SWCP day walk from Woolacombe. Climb from the village north to Mortehoe, then out along the headland to Morte Point — the tip of the peninsula, with panoramic views of Lundy Island and the Bristol Channel. Return the same way or loop through Mortehoe village. Allow 2 to 3 hours. Rated moderate to strenuous: around 200m of ascent. Full Morte Point walk guide.
Woolacombe to Ilfracombe (approx. 10 km one-way)
The full SWCP section north from Woolacombe to Ilfracombe passes through Lee Bay, Bull Point Lighthouse, and dramatic high cliff coast. This is a full day walk requiring a taxi or bus return from Ilfracombe. Allow 3 to 4 hours of walking time; actual time depends significantly on fitness and conditions. Strenuous — significant ascent and descent. Ilfracombe guide.
Woolacombe to Croyde via Morte Point (approx. 20 km one-way)
The full south stretch from Woolacombe, through Morte Point, around the coast via Croyde Head and Baggy Point to Croyde village. A long, committed day — allow 6 to 8 hours of walking time. Strenuous. Logistics require transport back from Croyde or overnight in the village. Full walk guide and Croyde guide.
Highlight
The Morte Point section — one of the finest miles on the entire trail
The SWCP section across Morte Point is among the finest few miles on the whole 630-mile route. The exposed headland, formed from Morte Slate — one of the oldest rock formations in North Devon — juts into the Bristol Channel and provides near-360-degree Atlantic views. Lundy Island (around 12 miles offshore) is clearly visible on good days, along with Hartland Point to the south and the Welsh coast beyond.
The cliffs below the Morte Point headland are home to guillemots, razorbills, and fulmars in spring and early summer; grey seals haul out on the rocks below in autumn. The path between Mortehoe and Morte Point is exposed and can be windy — dress for conditions even on warm days. See North Devon coast wildlife for what to look for in each season.
Difficulty
How challenging is the North Devon SWCP?
The North Devon stretch of the SWCP is classified as strenuous. The path repeatedly climbs and descends by 100 to 200 metres within short distances as it moves between sea level and cliff top. The Woolacombe to Mortehoe section alone involves around 200m of ascent — comparable to a moderately tall hill. The full Woolacombe to Croyde section involves significantly more cumulative ascent across the day.
Good footwear is essential. Proper walking boots or trail shoes with grip are required; trainers are inadequate on wet cliff paths. All routes are waymarked with the SWCP acorn symbol, but the path can be faint in places — carry an OS map or download offline maps before setting out. Phone signal is variable on exposed headlands.
- Kit essentials: full waterproofs; OS map or offline GPS; walking poles (helpful on steep descents); 1.5L+ water; packed food; blister kit.
- Navigation: follow SWCP acorn waymarks. The SWCP Association produces dedicated maps for the North Devon stretch.
- Emergency: in a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Several sections of the North Devon SWCP are genuinely remote with no quick exit.
For kit advice, see the Woolacombe packing list.
Planning
Using Woolacombe as a SWCP base
Woolacombe village is a natural SWCP overnight stop. Accommodation, food, and facilities are all available, and the village is served by seasonal bus routes connecting to Barnstaple (with onward rail). For walkers doing the trail in sections over multiple days, Woolacombe avoids the need to return to a single base — you can walk a section, stop overnight, and continue the next day. See getting to Woolacombe and the Woolacombe visitor guide for planning.
Best seasons for SWCP walking at Woolacombe: spring (April to June) for coastal wildflowers and nesting seabirds; autumn (September to October) for migratory birds, clearer views, and quieter paths. Summer is popular but exposed sections can be hot and paths busier. Winter walking is possible on settled days but the exposed headlands can have dangerous wind — check the forecast before setting out. See best time to visit Woolacombe.