Plymouth to Exmouth
HIGHLIGHTS
Plymouth to Exmouth is a great walk taking you first through the area of Devon known as South Hams. This area consists of slate cliffs, sometimes quite rugged, cut through by drowned mouths of wooded river valleys.
The second stretch from Dartmouth to Teignmouth is quite different with mostly low red sandstone cliffs. It is known as the Riviera and includes the tourist towns of Torquay and Teignmouth.
- The River Yealm
- The beautiful Salcombe River Estuary
- Magnificent Headlands
PHOTOS
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
- Luggage Transfer (1 bag each)
- Maps and Guide Book
- Itinerary
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KEY INFORMATION
Starting point: Plymouth
Finishing point: Exmouth
Avg. daily distance: 10 miles / 15 km
Total distance: 96 miles / 153 km
Terrain:
Walking grade: Moderate
WHEN TO WALK
ROUTE MAP
Plymouth to Exmouth is a great walk taking you first through the area of Devon known as South Hams. This area consists of slate cliffs, sometimes quite rugged, cut through by drowned mouths of wooded river valleys.
The second stretch from Dartmouth to Teignmouth is quite different with mostly low red sandstone cliffs. It is known as the Riviera and includes the tourist towns of Torquay and Teignmouth.
Day 1 Travel to Plymouth
Day 2 Walk from Plymouth to Newton Ferrers (9 miles / 14.5 km)
Day 3 Walk from Newton Ferrers to Bigbury on Sea (12 miles / 19 km)
Day 4 Walk from Bigbury on Sea to Salcombe (13.5 miles / 22 km)
Day 5 Walk from Salcombe to Torcross (13 miles / 21 km)
Day 6 Walk from Torcross to Dartmouth (10 miles / 16.5 km)
Day 7 Walk from Dartmouth to Brixham (11miles/ 17.5 km)
Day 8 Walk from Brixham to Torquay (8.5 miles/ 13.5 km)
Day 9 Walk from Torquay to Teignmouth (10.8 miles/ 17km)
Day 10 Walk from Teignmouth to Exmouth ( 8.0 miles/ 12.9 km)
Day 1 Travel to Plymouth
Day 2 Walk from Plymouth to Newton Ferrers (9 miles / 14.5 km)
The requires one to take the Mount Batten ferry from Mayflower Steps in the Barbican. The path then closely follows the coast round Mount Batten Point and then along Jennycliffs. Its rural nature is interrupted by old naval defences at Bovisand Point. The café there offers an ideal morning refreshment stop. The path then continues to reach Wembury Point with its views of the Great Mew Stone (a large rock just off the coast). Some easy walking follows before the opath arrives at Warren Point, where one must take the ferry across the River Yealm.
Day 3 Walk from Newton Ferrers to Bigbury on Sea (12 miles / 19 km)
The path requires a crossing of the River Erme, this can only be crossed 1 hour either side of low tide and has no ferry option, so the day must revolve around timing your arrival at the river otherwise a long inland diversion or a taxi ride are the only options. There is a tearooms at Mothecombe on the west side of the river where one can get refreshments.
Day 4 Walk from Bigbury on Sea to Salcombe (13.5 miles / 22 km)
The ferry across the Avon runs between 10:00 and 11:00. The path is fairly wild and remote but has several good refreshment stops and offer breathtaking views. The entrance to Salcombe Harbour across the bar is truly beautiful and Salcombe itself is lovely town, if rather busy in high season.
Day 5 Walk from Salcombe to Torcross (13 miles / 21 km)
The day starts with a short ferry across the river to East Portlemouth. After a little stretch along a road parallel with the beach the path swings left and there are great views of the entrance to Salcobe Harbour across the infamous bar. The first significant landmark is Prawle Lookout Point, where there is a volunteer coastguard station. The path continues along the cliffs to Start Point, here it turns a sharp left and becomes gentler passing along the seafront at Beesands and past the Cricketers Inn (an ideal place for a stop) before the last stretch to Torcross.
Day 6 Walk from Torcross to Dartmouth (10 miles / 16.5 km)
The path follows the huge beach of Slapton Sands before turning inland at Strete and meandering through the village. It then drops down to Blackpool Sands where the Venus café offers an ideal lunch stop. Inland again the path passes through Stoke Flemming before rejoining the coast again and offering wonderful views of the approaches to Dartmouth Harbour. The path passes the Dartmouth Castle Tearoom at the mouth of the river before taking its route into Dartmouth itself.
Day 7 Walk from Dartmouth to Brixham (11miles/ 17.5 km)
A short ferry ride on the car ferry to Kingswear and then the path starts its ups and downs which makes this a strenuous day, however all day the path rewards the hard work with superb headland views. There are no refreshment stops until the path arrives at the outskirts of Brixham.
Day 8 Walk from Brixham to Torquay (8.5 miles/ 13.5 km)
After some quite challenging walking of the previous days the distance is short and the path is quite urban and there are countless seaside shops and cafes.
Day 9 Walk from Torquay to Teignmouth (10.8 miles/ 17km)
A bit tricky finding the path leaving Torquay but then some good headland walking followed by a some lovely woodland and the occasional beach café before coming to the gardens in front of Babbacombe. The then goes under Babbacombe cliff railway before some more attractive but tough countryside walking to Shaldon. From there you take a short ferryride to Teignmouth. The none ferry detour via the bridge is only 30mins so no need to worry all day about getting the last ferry.
Day 10 Walk from Teignmouth to Exmouth ( 8.0 miles/ 12.9 km)
The next section of path to Dawlish is along the sea front next to the mainline railway tracks (great if you are a train spotter) After Dawlish it is an easy few miles to Starcross. The last ferry leaves at 16:10 and the only other way to Exmouth is a 14 mile detour.
WALKING DIFFICULTY: This is a coastal walk, for the most part along quite high cliffs with quite a lot of ups and downs. It will not be beyond the average walker but distance covered per hour will be low.
ACCOMMODATION: Our standard itinerary provides accommodation in either 3 or 4 star bed and breakfasts or small hotels or inns. When quoting for a holiday a draft itinerary is provided showing typical accommodation used on the route.
ADDITIONAL NIGHTS: Dartmouth is a good midway point with a lot to see.
NAVIGATION: Navigation is generally straight forward, follow the acorn signs and keep the sea on your right!
BAGGAGE TRANSFERS: All our prices include transfering one bag per person (max weight 20kg) between your overnight stops.
Travel information:
TRAVEL BY RAIL:
Arriving: London mainline trains go from Paddington to Plymouth (3 hours).
Returning: From Exmouth to London Paddington (via Exeter) (about 3 hours)
TRAVEL BY CAR:
Arriving take the M5 from Bristol to Plymouth. Long Term Secure Parking can be arranged in Plymouth.
Returning: Take a train from Exmouth to Exeter and then on to Plymouth (approx 1 hour 45 min)).
TRAVEL BY AIR:
Arriving: Fly to Exeter, then take the bus to the railway station and the train to Plymouth.
Returning: Exmouth to Exeter by train is only 30 mins, then take the bus out to the airport.
PRICES:
9 Day Walking Itinerary (10 nights accommodation) from £950 per person
Single supplement (for person walking on their own) from £40 per night
Extra nights from £60 per person
Salcombe to Exmouth
Arne Kambo - 24 June 2022
Dear Tim,
We enjoyed the walk very much. Except a few rain showers when we started the first day, the weather was excellent. Sunny and between 20 and 25 degrees most of the time. The walking distance was perfect for us, but the distance disclosed in the itinerary seems to be a little bit shorter than the actual distance. However, no problem and it also depends on the starting point and where you stop.
The accommodation was very good. The room in Babbacombe was a little bit small while the others were spacious and well equipped. Very nice and helpful hosts all over. We loved the food, especially the seafood at South Sands, Beesands and Brixham. We followed your recommendations several times and that was successful. The transport of our luggage worked fine as always.
In fact, we have nothing to complain about. The only thing we could mention is that we felt it was a little too much road and pavement walking around Torquay. However, no problem and I am not sure if it is possible to avoid that.
Thanks and best regards,
St Ives to Penzance and Plymouth to Torquay
Liv Berit - Sep 2023
Dear Tim,
We had a fantastic walk. We are four very happy Norwegians. We were very lucky with the weather it was only on the two last days of our walk that we had rain. The weather walking from Brixham to Torquay was terrible we were all dripping wet, luckily that was the last day so we could pack all our soak clothe sand boots in our luggage.
The walking distance were ok, except the walk from Plymouth to Wembury, we did take the Mount Batten Ferry and that made the walk a bit short. We arrived early in Wembury, by the way the cafe in Bovisands was closed.
The walk from Wembury to Banthham proved impossible. We took the Ferry from Warren Point at 10:00 and the ferry man, Bill Gregor, told us that we would not make it to the River Erme in time to wade across and he proved right.
Accomodations:
Tregenna Castle, Gunards Head and the Airbnb in Kingsbridge were excellent.
The others were fine except Shearwater, the rooms were not very pleasant and it was only one bathroom and the owner seemed a bit tired of having guests. Ashleigh Guest House had one of the bathrooms a step down from the bedroom, and that was not ideal.
We have walked through lovely and beautiful landscapes and meet nice people and dogs on our walk.
The transfer of luggage was excellent, our bags were waiting for us every day.
Kind regards
Liv Berit