South West Coast Path

South West Coast Path

An epic walk along the coastline of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

3 to 12 nights
630 miles
Easy to Demanding / Strenuous

From £355 per person

Find your holiday

About the trail

At 630 miles (1,008 km) in length, the South West Coast Path is Britain’s longest waymarked footpath and the ultimate challenge for any long distance walker. The route curls around the entire peninsula of Devon and Cornwall, rounds the south-western tip of England at Land’s End, and follows the southern shore through the dramatic scenery of Dorset, constituting a major portion of the England Coast Path.

Although we provide some gentler itineraries, on most holidays along the South West Coast Path, expect stiff climbs on jaw-dropping coastal trails; mile after mile of sea views; and plenty of cream teas and Cornish pasties enjoyed in seaside towns. Walking the South West Coast Path is a challenge, but an immensely (and often tastily) rewarding one.

We’ve broken the full SWCP into ten stages so you can pick and choose your favourite stretches of coast. We also offer a choice of short breaks along the path, which you can find on the South West Coast Path Short Breaks page. If you’re looking for a circular tour, take a look at our walking holiday around the far point of Land’s End Peninsula and inland along St Michael’s Way, or stitch in the Tamara Coast to Coast Way.

Choose your route

  • This route includes dog friendly tour options North Devon
  • Cornwall's Atlantic Coast - North
  • Cornwall's Atlantic Coast - South
  • Far West of Cornwall
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options South West Cornwall
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options South Cornwall
  • South Devon
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Tor Bay and Babbacombe Bay
  • East Devon
  • Dorset

Dog friendly tours available

Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.

Trail running tours available

We also organise trail running holidays along this route. Find out more.

About this route

4 to 7 nights
42 miles
Easy / Moderate to Moderate / Demanding
2nd January to 24th December

From £480 per person

Far West of Cornwall

Rugged granite cliffs dotted with the ruins of old tin mines, carpeted in spring with wild flowers and in summer with heather and gorse in purple and gold. This is the gorgeous scenery you’ll enjoy as you walk the coastline of Land’s End Peninsula.

Quoits, standing stones, stone circles, and other mysterious remains litter the landscape, embodying its deep connection to ancient history. With picturesque St Ives, Mousehole, Lamorna and Sennen Cove en route, this is a truly diverse and engaging walk.

Why not try the Land's End Round, which combines the Far West of Cornwall trail with St Michael's Way to create a circular route along the Land's End Peninsula? Click here to find out more.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
FWC1 From St Ives to Penzance 4 nights, 3 days walking Moderate / Demanding £480
FWC2 From St Ives to Penzance 5 nights, 4 days walking Moderate £600
FWC3 From St Ives to Penzance 6 nights, 5 days walking Moderate £720
FWC4 From St Ives to Penzance 7 nights, 6 days walking Easy / Moderate £840
"Tin Mines at Botallack" by Steve Woodward (2022) "Tin Mines at Botallack" by Steve Woodward (2022)
"Bay past St Ives" by Jeff Dell (2021) "Bay past St Ives" by Jeff Dell (2021)
"Just past Sennen Cove" by Marc Campion (2019) "Just past Sennen Cove" by Marc Campion (2019)
"On the Way to Sennen Cove" by Marc Campion (2019) "On the Way to Sennen Cove" by Marc Campion (2019)
"On the Way to Zennor" by Marc Campion (2019) "On the Way to Zennor" by Marc Campion (2019)
"Just before Porthcurno" by Marc Campion (2019) "Just before Porthcurno" by Marc Campion (2019)
"Just out of Sennen Cove" by Marc Campion (2019) "Just out of Sennen Cove" by Marc Campion (2019)
"Waymarker before Cape Cornwall" by David Hackett (2019) "Waymarker before Cape Cornwall" by David Hackett (2019)
"Botallack Mine" by David Hackett (2019) "Botallack Mine" by David Hackett (2019)
"Minack Theatre in Penzance" by Jinru Chen (2019) "Minack Theatre in Penzance" by Jinru Chen (2019)
"St. Michaels Mount" by Blais Brancheau (2018) "St. Michaels Mount" by Blais Brancheau (2018)
"Between St Ives and Zennor" by Blais Bracheau (2018) "Between St Ives and Zennor" by Blais Bracheau (2018)
"View from the Castle at St. Michaels Mount" by Anne Hemingway (2017 "View from the Castle at St. Michaels Mount" by Anne Hemingway (2017
"Between Pendeen Watch and Sennen Cove" by Anne Hemingway (2017) "Between Pendeen Watch and Sennen Cove" by Anne Hemingway (2017)
"Bay at St. Ives" by Anne Hemingway (2017) "Bay at St. Ives" by Anne Hemingway (2017)
"Lizrd Lighthouse" by Cornelia Selzer (2017) "Lizrd Lighthouse" by Cornelia Selzer (2017)
"Botallack Mines" by Sandra Steel (2017) "Botallack Mines" by Sandra Steel (2017)
"Minack Theatre" by Sandra Steel (2017) "Minack Theatre" by Sandra Steel (2017)
"Pendeen Watch" by Sandra Steel (2017) "Pendeen Watch" by Sandra Steel (2017)
"Between Penzance and Porthleven" by Harriet Ells (2017) "Between Penzance and Porthleven" by Harriet Ells (2017)
Harbour Sand - Harbour Sand
Harbour Sand Harbour Sand
Walking Toward Mans Head - Walking Toward Mans Head
Walking Toward Mans Head Walking Toward Mans Head
St Ives Harbour - St Ives Harbour
St Ives Harbour St Ives Harbour
Walking Toward Levant Mine - Walking Toward Levant Mine
Walking Toward Levant Mine Walking Toward Levant Mine
St Ives Lighthouse - St Ives Lighthouse
St Ives Lighthouse St Ives Lighthouse
St Michael's Mount - St Michael's Mount
St Michael's Mount St Michael's Mount
St Ives Harbour - St Ives Harbour
St Ives Harbour St Ives Harbour
South West Coast Path Sigh Post - South West Coast Path Sigh Post
South West Coast Path Sigh Post South West Coast Path Sigh Post
Sigh Post Near Cape Cornwall - Sigh Post Near Cape Cornwall
Sigh Post Near Cape Cornwall Sigh Post Near Cape Cornwall
Porthmeor Beach - Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor Beach Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor Beach - Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor Beach Porthmeor Beach
Porthminster Beach - Porthminster Beach
Porthminster Beach Porthminster Beach
Porthmeor Beach - Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor Beach Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor Beach - Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor Beach Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor Beach - Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor Beach Porthmeor Beach
Marazion Beach - Marazion Beach
Marazion Beach Marazion Beach
Pendeen Lighthouse - Pendeen Lighthouse
Pendeen Lighthouse Pendeen Lighthouse
Porthcurno Beach - Porthcurno Beach
Porthcurno Beach Porthcurno Beach
St Ives Harbour Sand - St Ives Harbour Sand
St Ives Harbour Sand St Ives Harbour Sand
Cape Cornwall - Cape Cornwall
Cape Cornwall Cape Cornwall

Customer reviews from the Far West of Cornwall

“A great holiday covering a wonderful stretch of coastline. The stopping points were well thought out, with the distances being fine for anyone who is reasonably fit.”
Mr Simmons, UK
“Hard walking because of mud, rocks, weather, and ups and downs. But we loved it.”
Mr Oberwetter, USA
“A most enjoyable and spectacular walk, many thanks.”
Mr Sykes, UK
“The third section of the Southwest Coast Path. Scenery and weather got better and better. Beautiful Cornwall.”
Mr Kuhns, USA
“Accommodation and luggage transfers all good. All had stunning scenery which made it worthwhile.”
Mr Dell, UK
“Very well organised, clear instructions and more than adequate information.”
Mr Hackett, UK
“Actually, almost all aspects of our holiday exceeded our high expectations. Astoundingly beautiful countryside and seascapes, and, really, the friendliest people that we have had the pleasure to meet anywhere.”
Mr Hanson, USA
“The scenery was spectacular – weather amazing.”
Mr Mercer, Canada
“Beautiful scenery but challenging.”
Mrs Tutt, UK
Find your holiday