Explore the Southwest coastal path from Ocean Backpackers Independent Hostel this year.
Just because the Southwest Coastal Path stretches over 600 miles from Minehead to Poole, doesn’t mean you’ll never have the time or the means to walk it.
Many people choose to experience this wonderful trail in sections when time and life allows. If, like me, your wild camping days are over, but you are still on a budget, Ocean Backpackers Independent hostel is the perfect base from which to explore some magnificent sections on the North Devon coast. Spanning an area of outstanding natural beauty (or National Landscapes as they are now known), which is home to Exmoor National Park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. incorporating some stunning views, flora and fauna, you will definitely not be disappointed.
The Southwest Coast Path is best walked between March and October. However, July and August are very busy with tourists so If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant rainfall on the North Devon Coast are April and September. So, dig out those walking boots and book a spring or late summer break at Ocean Backpackers.
From Ocean Backpackers you can walk the path to Woolacombe or Croyde or the opposite direction to Coombe Martin, Great Hangman, Valley of The Rocks or even Lynmouth. There are regular buses to and from both Woolacombe and Coombe Martin and in the Summer (usually between May and September) you can take the open-top Sunseeker bus from outside the hostel to Lynmouth.
The walk to Coombe Martin takes about 2 hours from Ocean Backpackers. Looking back from the top of Hillsborough you get amazing views of Ilfracombe before you decent into Hele Bay, a popular local swimming spot. The climb out of Hele takes you past the old coast guard cottages and eventually a glorious decent to Watermouth Bay, with its pretty little fishing boasts bobbing around at hightide. The next and last climb before Coombe Martin takes you past a lovely view from above Broadsands beach. This hidden beach is a spectacular bathing spot and well worth a pit stop on a hot day, but with 200 steps to reach it, it’s not for the fainthearted!
Finally, The Sandy Cove hotel offers welcome pit stop for a drink and a breather, to look at what must be one of the best Hotel views in the UK.
From here it’s about 10/15 mins into Combe Martin. From Combe Martin there is a circular walk up to Great Hangman and then back down the valley to Combe Martin. This will take a couple of hours and can be quite muddy in winter.
If you prefer a circular walk the Porthole café to Croyde and back around the headland and Baggy Point to Woolacome offer some spectacular views.
Starting on Marine Drive at the Porthole café if you are driving this is a car park and in summer it can cost £10 to park. If you get the bus, you can walk up to Marine drive and follow the Coast path or walk the length of the Beach either way you will end up in Putsborough and then you need to come away from the coast path and follow signs to Croyde Bay not Baggy point. Once you are over the brow of the hill you will see Croyde Bay in front of you and drop down into it. Once in Croyde you then follow the signs to Baggy Point and walk around the headland back to Woolacombe It takes about 2 hours and from Baggy point, on a clear day you can see the beaches of Saunton Sands, Croyde and Woolacombe in one panoramic view.
If you like a shorter walk with great views and a lunch stop, I thoroughly recommend the walk to Lee Bay and back; Lee Bay is a picture post-card place; with a pretty bay some rather beautiful properties and a really lovely pub called the Grampus. They offer homemade and some home grown, organic food and craft beers and boast one of the most idyllic pub gardens you will ever see. The walk to Lee along the Coast Path about 3 miles but quite hilly so it will take a good hour or more. The views are far reaching and quite beautiful.