Walking from Woolacombe to Mortehoe: what to check before you set off
The walk from Woolacombe to Mortehoe is short enough to do before lunch, but the choice of route, ground conditions and return plan change how the day works — especially for families and anyone who wants to extend into a longer coastal walk.
Before you set off
Route choice and return plan first
Decide the route and return plan before you leave the car park. From Woolacombe village, there are two main approaches to Mortehoe:
- Via the South West Coast Path: the coast path from Woolacombe climbs onto the headland, passes above Morte Bay, and drops into Mortehoe. The terrain is uneven and includes short ascents; route surfaces and signage are managed by the South West Coast Path Association and the National Trust. Check current route information and any closures or diversions before you travel.
- Via the road (shorter and more level): the road between Woolacombe and Mortehoe is about a mile. It is not a dedicated footpath and road conditions vary; this is a practical option when weather or ground conditions make the coast path unsuitable, or for anyone who cannot manage uneven terrain.
Both routes end in Mortehoe village. The village has a pub, café and local shops — check current opening times before you go, as facilities can close outside season.
Terrain and timing
What to expect on the coast-path route
The coast-path section between Woolacombe and Mortehoe is short — roughly a mile and a half to two miles depending on where you start — but it includes exposed sections, uneven ground and a short climb from the bay. The path can be slippery in wet weather. Allow more time than a flat road walk would suggest, especially with children or if the weather has been wet.
For the full Morte Point headland walk — which extends beyond Mortehoe village and includes the National Trust headland — see the Morte Point walk guide and the Morte Point walks page. That is a separate, longer route. This page covers the Woolacombe-to-Mortehoe connection only.
The South West Coast Path between Woolacombe and Mortehoe is maintained by the South West Coast Path Association. Check their current route information and any published diversions or access notices before walking. Current path conditions, livestock presence and ground state can differ from descriptions.
Family readiness
Is the coast-path route right for your group?
For families with young children or pushchairs, the road route is likely to be more practical. The coast-path section has uneven surfaces and exposed sections unsuitable for pushchairs, and the ascents are short but real.
The coast path works well for children comfortable on uneven ground and used to walking for 45 minutes to an hour. Bring water and snacks; there is nothing between the beach and Mortehoe on the coast-path route.
For a range of family walk options in and around Woolacombe, see the walks guide. For a walk from Woolacombe in the other direction along the coast, the South West Coast Path from Woolacombe page gives a wider context.
Getting back
Return plan and bus options
From Mortehoe to Woolacombe on foot takes roughly the same time as the outward walk. The road route is the most straightforward return in poor weather or at the end of a long day. There is also a bus route linking Woolacombe and Mortehoe; check current timetable and stop information with the current local operator before relying on it — timetables change seasonally and some services run less frequently outside peak summer.
If you plan to extend the walk to Morte Point and back via the headland, add considerably more time and check the National Trust's current access information for the headland before you go. Have a clear decision point and a dry-land return route identified before setting off. Check current coastal safety information before any coastal walk, including this one.
Mortehoe village
What you find at the end of the walk
Mortehoe is a small village with a strong local character. The Mortehoe village guide covers what is in the village and where to go. Opening times for pubs and cafés change seasonally; check directly with individual businesses before you go.
Mortehoe is also the starting point for the Morte Point headland walk. From the village you can pick up the National Trust path to the point — see the Morte Point walk for what to expect. If you are combining the village visit with the headland, plan your timing carefully: the headland walk adds at least an hour and the return to Woolacombe on foot is longer from Morte Point than from the village.
Checked 13 July 2026
Sources and route notes
Route surface, closures, diversions, gate conditions and access can change at any time. Treat information on this page as a planning starting point and confirm current conditions with official sources before you walk.
- South West Coast Path Association — official route information, current diversions and conditions. Checked 13 July 2026.
- National Trust: Mortehoe and Woolacombe — headland and coast path access information. Checked 13 July 2026.
Always read on-site notices and check current official sources before you walk.