South West Coast Path Run

South West Coast Path Run

A truly epic trail running holiday along England’s longest waymarked trail, from Minehead to Poole.

3 to 8 nights
630 miles
Easy / Moderate to Strenuous

From £390 per person

Find your holiday

About the trail

At 630 miles (1,014 km), the South West Coast Path is England’s longest National Trail and has good claim to being the most spectacular too.

The route spans a wonderful variety of running, over rugged clifftops, around sheltered coves, harbours, fishing villages and across heather moorland. Out here, you’ll find stirring views over the open sea and the British countryside, alongside devilish daily mileages.

It’s not just the distance that daunts, though: the route constantly rises and falls and will leave your calves whimpering. In fact, it’s more common for runners to attempt it one chunk at a time rather than all in one go.

We offer the South West Coast Path in sections, allowing you to piece together the most suitable route for your time and stamina. Of course, if you’re prepared for the challenge of the whole route, you can run these sections consecutively to cover the entire 630-mile trail.

Choose your route

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

Dog friendly tours available

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

Walking tours available

We also organise walking holidays along this route. Find out more.

About this route

3 to 5 nights
58 miles
Easy / Moderate to Demanding
2nd January to 24th December

From £410 per person

Tor Bay and East Devon Run

Start your trail run with an easy leg between the bustling resorts of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay, and depart along coastline steeped in natural beauty as you round the headland of Hope’s Nose, birds chattering on the rocky islands below. The route enjoys fine views of  the Ness, a tree-lined cliff of sandstone, before tacking two short ferry journeys to Exmouth. The colourful red sandstone of the Jurassic Coast takes over from here, as the trail winds toward Lyme Regis between thatched cottage villages.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
R-TOR+EDEV1 From Brixham to Lyme Regis 3 nights, 2 days running Demanding £410
R-TOR+EDEV2 From Brixham to Lyme Regis 4 nights, 3 days running Moderate £515
R-TOR+EDEV3 From Brixham to Lyme Regis 5 nights, 4 days running Easy / Moderate £635

Torbay and East Devon Trail Run 3 nights, 2 days running

£NNN per person
  • Itinerary
  • What's included?
  • Extra nights?
  • Tour facts
  • Route profile
  • Travel info
  • Weather
  • Holiday Highlights

Important information

The Starcross to Exmouth Ferry operates from mid-April to the end of October.  If the ferry is not running the alternative is to catch a train/bus to Exmouth via Exeter or take a taxi.

If you wish to run this route outside of these months, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Start

Travel to Brixham where your first night's accommodation will be booked

Day 1

Brixham to Exmouth. 28 miles (45km) / 3921 ft (1195 m) ascent

Day 2

Exmouth to Lyme Regis. 30 miles (48km) / 4902 ft (1494 m) ascent

Finish

Depart from Lyme Regis after breakfast

Your Itinerary

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.

Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.

The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.

Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.

Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:

A note about transfers
Solo Traveller Supplement
£60.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£50.00 per person / per night


You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night
Extra night (Lyme Regis)
Price on request
Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays Tor Bay and East Devon Run map
Brixham to Lyme Regis
58 miles (93 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday highlights

Exploring the Jurassic Coastline as you run, with its red cliffs and fossil beaches.

Running along the English Riviera and enjoying the dramatic geology at the English Riviera Geopark.

Visiting the old fishing village of Beer, where colourful inshore trawlers are launched from the pebbly beach.

What's included?

  • 3 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected B&B’s, hotels, inns and guesthouses along the trail, or a short distance away via taxi provided at our expense.
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Door to door luggage transfer.
  • Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook or route notes describing the trail.
  • An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night and a kit list.
  • Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.

Extra Nights & Rest Days

This section of the South West Coast Path passes through many wonderful towns and villages, with plenty to satisfy the needs and preferences of any runner. By adding an extra night or two into your holiday, you will have more time to explore these locations and discover hidden gems that you might have otherwise missed.

Exmouth is a popular town in which to spend an extra night. Its location on the beautiful Exe Estuary and at the very beginning of the Jurassic Coast makes it a wonderful place to spot birds and other wildlife. The town also has a vibrant shopping centre that hosts a wide range of leisure and entertainment facilities, including a cinema, a theatre, sports amenities and a range of excellent restaurants to enjoy. With a glorious sandy beach and a variety of water sports on offer, Exmouth has something to offer everyone.

Lyme Regis, with its beautiful harbour, fine old buildings, literary connections and its fossil-rich cliffs is another excellent choice for an extra night. As well as its various historical landmarks offering plenty to discover about the UK?s heritage, this resort boasts a range of shops and delicious eateries to choose from, including a number of independent shops specialising in rocks and fossils found around the area that would serve as a fantastic memento of your trail running holiday.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night
Extra night (Lyme Regis)
Price on request

Tour Facts

Total distance: 58 miles (93 km)
Duration: 3 nights, 2 days running
Minimum daily distance: 28 miles (45 km)
Maximum daily distance: 30 miles (48 km)
Code: R-TOR+EDEV1 Grade: Demanding
Season: 2nd January - 24th December
Start of holiday: Brixham
End of holiday: Lyme Regis

Route Profile

Torbay and East Devon Trail Run Route Profile

Travel Information

Useful information and travel links that will assist you in your plans to travel to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you with your full tour pack. A summary is given below:

By Air - The most convenient major city and international airports are Exeter and Bristol.

By Rail - The nearest rail station to the start of the trail (Brixham) is at Paignton (about 5.5 miles away). The nearest rail station to the end of the trail (Lyme Regis) is at Axminster (about 6 miles away).

By Bus - There is a bus to Brixham from Paignton. There is also a bus service from Lyme Regis to Axminster.

From London - Trains run from London Paddington station to Paignton. From there a bus/taxi will be required to Brixham.

Return To The Start - The easiest way to return to the start of the trail is to take a bus/taxi from Lyme Regis to Axminster station. From there, catch a train to Paignton, followed by a bus/taxi to Brixham.

Weather Information

To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:

  • MetCheck - This website allows you to look up detailed weather information for specific locations as far as six months in advance.
  • Met Office - This website shows regional area forecasts a few days in advance, with a general UK forecast description of up to 30 days in advance.
  • Mountain Forecast - This website shows what the forecast is like up on specific hills and fells, and offers forecasts a few days in advance.