Top 5 Challenging South Coast Path Walks

The UK's longest National Trail, the South West Coast Path, offers some of the most stunning scenery in the country and plenty of opportunities to get outdoors, whether you're a weekend walker or seasoned long-distance hiker. If you're looking for something a bit more demanding than a country stroll, we've rounded up our top 5 challenging walks in this iconic area, rewarded with some incredible views.

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

Distance: 4.3 miles

©Andreas Byrne

A walk to really get your 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 cliffs. 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

©Richard Taylor

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

The South West Coast Path Association is 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.