Woolacombe to Ilfracombe walk
A practical guide to the northward South West Coast Path route from Woolacombe to Ilfracombe via Morte Point, Bull Point Lighthouse and Lee Bay.
Quick answer
About 7 to 8 miles, 3 to 4 hours one way
Distance
Roughly 7 to 8 miles one way, depending on your exact start, finish and Lee Bay detour.
Time
Allow 3 to 4 hours walking, plus rests. Treat it as a full half-day coastal walk.
Difficulty
Moderate to strenuous, with steep climbs, descents, steps and exposed cliff-top ground.
Start and finish
Start in Woolacombe village or by the beach. Finish at Ilfracombe harbour or town centre.
The Woolacombe to Ilfracombe walk is the quieter northward South West Coast Path option from Woolacombe. Many visitors head south towards Putsborough, Baggy Point and Croyde, but this direction feels wilder: Morte Point, broken rock, Bull Point Lighthouse, Lee Bay and the final drop into Ilfracombe.
It is a serious coastal walk rather than a beach stroll. The route is linear, the return needs planning, and the exposed sections can feel very different in wind, rain or poor visibility.
Route summary
Woolacombe, Morte Point, Bull Point, Lee Bay, Ilfracombe
- Woolacombe: leave from the beach end and follow South West Coast Path signs north towards Morte Point.
- Morte Point: the first major landmark, with jagged rocks below and big views back over Woolacombe Bay. Lundy can be visible on clear days, and seals are sometimes seen offshore.
- Bull Point Lighthouse: continue north-west past Rockham Bay and around Bull Point. The lighthouse is a working Trinity House light and a useful landmark, but the lighthouse itself is not a visitor attraction.
- Lee Bay: descend towards the small cove and village. The beach is a worthwhile detour in good conditions, but not an effortless add-on.
- Ilfracombe: the final stretch climbs and falls again through the Damage Cliffs and Torrs area before dropping into Ilfracombe, close to the harbour and town centre.
Distance and terrain
Why the walk feels longer than the mileage
Most local estimates put the Woolacombe to Ilfracombe walk at around 7 to 8 miles one way. The exact figure varies by start point, finish point and whether you detour to Lee Bay. The important point is the repeated climbing and descending between Morte Point, Bull Point, Lee Bay and the Torrs.
Expect rocky and uneven coast path, steps, muddy sections after rain and stretches with little shelter. The South West Coast Path describes the wider Combe Martin to Woolacombe section as moderate to strenuous in parts, with tougher ascents particularly between Lee Bay and Morte Point.
It is not suitable for pushchairs, and it is a poor choice for very young children as a continuous point-to-point route. Families may be better with the Morte Point walk or a Lee Bay visit on a different day.
Highlights
Morte Point, Bull Point Lighthouse and Lee Bay
Morte Point gives the walk its first proper drama, with views back over Woolacombe Bay and north towards Rockham Bay and Bull Point. Keep children and dogs well away from cliff edges and wildlife.
Bull Point Lighthouse is the next major landmark. Trinity House records the current lighthouse as a 1970s replacement for the earlier light, built after ground movement damaged the old station. It is automated and still part of the navigational landscape, but it is a landmark, not somewhere to go inside.
Lee Bay is the unexpected reward after the wilder headland walking: a small, quiet cove and village tucked between the cliffs. The beach is more affected by tide state than the main coast path, so only detour down if the tide and conditions make sense. If wild swimming is part of your trip planning, compare Lee Bay with other spots in the wild swimming in North Devon guide.
Return planning
Getting back from Ilfracombe
This is a linear walk, so decide your return before leaving Woolacombe. The simplest option for many groups is a pre-arranged lift or taxi from Ilfracombe. Bus services exist, but times and operators can change by season and day of week, so check the current timetable and build in a fallback.
If the timetable does not work, do not assume you can easily walk back. Returning on foot makes the day roughly 14 to 16 miles with a lot of climbing.
Finishing in Ilfracombe is part of the reward. The Ilfracombe things to do guide is useful if you want to turn the walk into a full day out.
Kit list
What to bring
- Footwear with grip: trail shoes or walking boots are sensible on uneven, rocky and wet sections.
- Weather layer: Morte Point, Bull Point and the Torrs are exposed. Wind and showers can arrive quickly on the North Devon coast.
- Water and snacks: do not rely on refreshments between Woolacombe and Ilfracombe.
- Tide check: the main coast path is not a beach route, but tides matter if you plan to go down onto Lee Bay beach or explore rocks and coves.
- Map and battery: take a charged phone and know the route before you set off.
Seasonal advice
Best time of year for the walk
Spring and autumn are often the best seasons for this walk. The path is usually quieter than high summer, and the headlands can feel wild without the worst winter weather. Seal sightings around Morte Point are possible in different seasons, but never guaranteed.
Summer brings longer daylight and easier return planning, but the narrower sections around Morte Point can be busier. Winter can be spectacular, but only choose it if you are confident in wind, mud, short daylight and fast-changing conditions.
Before you go, check the live weather and tide panels. For more route ideas from Woolacombe, use Woolacombe for walkers, North Devon walks and the South West Coast Path from Woolacombe guide.
Checked 12 July 2026
Sources used
- South West Coast Path Association and National Trust route guidance for distance, terrain, ascent, access and safety checks.
- Trinity House information for Bull Point Lighthouse status, automation and history checks.
- Woolacombe and Mortehoe Tourist Information, current operator timetables and Travel Devon/North Devon public transport sources for route sequence and return-planning checks.