Top 5 Challenging Walks On The South Coast Path

Tackling the UK’s longest and most popular National Trail, the South West Coast Path, is a great way to get healthy and challenge yourself at the same time. Whether you want to try a short but demanding section, or take on the whole 630 miles, there’s a walk out there for all ages and levels of ability, and unlike the gym, you won’t have to pay a penny. Be warned, though – it is seriously addictive!

Here’s a round-up of the top five challenging walks on the South West Coast Path. For more ideas visit www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/challenge.

Langdon Hill, Golden Cap & St Gabriel's Chapel walk, Dorset

Distance: 4.3 miles

©Andreas Byrne

Here’s a walk to get the heart pumping – the challenge is to reach the summit of the 191-metre Golden Cap near West Bay in Dorset, the highest sea cliff in Southern England. Some steep ascents and descents, rewarded by spectacular coastal views.

Route and information for the Langdon Hill, Golden Cap & St Gabriel’s Chapel walk

The Hangmen Hills, Exmoor

Distance: 4.7 miles

©Andrew Wheatle

A challenging but inspiring 4.7 mile walk on the highest point on the Exmoor coast that amply rewards the effort involved, with far-reaching views over coast and hills, through an area rich in history.

Route and information for the Hangmen Hills walk

Sennen To Coverack, Cornwall

Distance: 56 miles

©Dean Feast

A stunning five-day itinerary along wild and windswept Cornish cliff-tops. This walk passes spectacular granite rock formations around Land’s End, the most westerly point in England, and Lizard Point, the most southerly.

Routes and information on the Sennen to Coverack walk

Heddon's Mouth, Somerset

Distance: 2.1 miles

A challenge for those with limited mobility – made easier with a Tramper all-terrain mobility scooter which can be hired from the National Trust at Heddon Valley and used to explore many of the paths in the area.

Routes and information on the Heddon’s mouth walk

The 630 Mile Experience

The South West Coast Path is perhaps the UK’s ultimate challenge for the long-distance hiker. A fast walker can complete the 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset in around 30 days, but a more leisurely pace is between seven and eight weeks. No matter how long it takes, it is a stunning achievement. The height gained and lost is the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest 4 times!

Routes and information on the 630 mile South West Coast Path

In Partnership With South West Coastal Path Association

Cotswold Outdoor is proud to support the South West Coast Path Association – a charity that works to ensure the path is one of the best walks in the world and protects it for all to enjoy. Supporting the charity and adding a voice as a member helps the South West Coast Path Association to improve the path and keep the way open to beautiful coastal places. For more information about the South West Coast Path Association visit www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk