SW COAST PATH Salcombe to Torcross
START - SALCOMBE MAIN CAR PARK TQ8 8DU
FINISH TORCROSS LENGTH 12.6 MILES (20.3 KM) DIFFICULTY EASY
Summary This section of the South West Coast Path is particularly tough but the spectacular views are certainly very rewarding. Passing out of the shelter of the Salcombe Estuary, you emerge onto a rugged, undeveloped section of coast, much of which is managed by the National Trust. The path crosses high cliffs to Prawle
Point, passing beauti- ful sandy beaches below, which may tempt you down for a swim. From here you pass extraordi- nary geological forma- tions. This stretch of coast has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Inter- est and supports a variety of rare flowers and breed- ing birds, as well as being one of the few sites in the UK used by the very rare cuckoo bee Nomada sexfasciata. On windy days the sea crashes wildly against the rugged rocks and these cliffs have claimed many wrecks over the centuries including the Demetrios in 1992 and one near Moor Sands which is believed to date from the Bronze Age. After a fairly rocky, exposed stretch to Start Point, the path becomes more level on its journey to Torcross, with just one steep climb near the end. At Torcross your efforts are rewarded with some good restaurants and pubs close to the sea.
Torcross. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton.
HIGHLIGHTS ■ The view down to Elender Cove from Gammon Head.
elender cove and Gammon head. photographer Julie Collier.
■ Views from Prawle Point: with a name meaning ‘lookout hill’ it is no wonder that this headland, which is the most southerly point in Devon, has been an important viewpoint for centuries. National Coastwatch volunteers run a watch house here.
■ The impressive rocky platforms reaching out to the sea, cut by the waves in the last Ice Age.
Taken from the path above rickham sands. Photographer Stephen Tew, Leics.
■ Looking out for cirl buntings: thanks to the work of local farmers, the RSPB and Natural England, these once threatened birds are returning to the fields and hedgerows around Prawle Point. Farmers leave the fields uncultivated over winter and the remains of crops provide a valuable source of food for these and other birds.
■ Having a picnic on the beautiful sands of Lannacombe Beach or Great Mattiscombe Sands.
■ The exhilarating feeling of reaching the exposed peninsula of Start Point and looking over Start Bay opening up ahead.
On a clear day it is even possible to make out the Isle of Portland on the horizon.
■ Hallsands: the ruined fishing village of Hallsands had been precariously built between the cliffs and the sea and was destroyed by storms in 1917, leaving just a few gable ends. Debate has raged ever since about whether offshore dredging of shingle for the construction of Devonport dockyard caused the disaster and you can find out more about this on the Hallsands website. The cliffs and ruined buildings here are also home to a colony of breeding kittiwakes.
■ Beesands and Widdicombe Ley: the freshwater lake and surrounding grassland supports a variety of wildlife. There is a bird hide here and more than 180 species of birds have been recorded.
Refreshments on the way..... Beesands - The Cricket Inn. Torcross - The Start Bay Inn, Torcross Boat House. Strete - The Kings Arms. Dartmouth - The Castle Team Rooms. Brixham - Guard House Café see adverts in this feature
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148