The South West Coast Path literally passes our door at Combe Martin. As you descend from the Great Hangman, (tallest cliff in mainland Britain) there are magnificent views across to Wales and as far round as Lundy Island, as well as deep into beautiful Watermouth Bay, before descending a grassy slope overlooking the village.
There are so many walks of breathtaking beauty; the frozen lichen at Tarr Steps in winter can bring to mind Narnia; the sunken miners’ trails over Knapp Down lead to stunning views over our valley with its Norman church sitting in the village; from the end of January through February, the snowdrop valleys nearby; the short walks through Old Combe Martin to discover packhorse bridges, lime kilns and narrow lanes; the wide miles of sand and dunes a few miles away, rethought by many to be among the five best beaches in the world.
So whether you’re looking for an afternoon stroll to take you to a beautiful view, or for a challenge like no other in hiking some of the South West Coast Path National Trail you’ve come to the right place in Combe Martin. For detailed information on the Southwest Cost Path visit southwestcoastpath.org.uk The following are a selection of walks that can be found on southwest website. Either follow the weblink below each walk, or visit the Southwest coast path website and search for the walk name.
START: Overhead barrier car park at Holdstone Down
FINISH: Overhead barrier car park at Holdstone Down
LENGTH: 2.3 miles (3.7 km)
A short walk through a high-level wilderness with ancient settlements, plans for an ambitious Victorian housing estate which fortunately came to nought, and a history of spaceships and extra-terrestrial forces.
Difficulty – Easy
START: Elwill Bay, ‘Glass box’ car park north west of Trentishoe Down
FINISH: Elwill Bay, ‘Glass box’ car park north west of Trentishoe Down
LENGTH:2.4 miles (3.9 km)>
Moorland, heathland and woodland, with coastal views over dramatically plunging hillsides and across the Bristol Channel
Difficulty – Easy
START:Hunter’s Inn
FINISH:Hunter’s Inn
LENGTH:6.1 miles (9.8 km)
A bracing walk around a rocky headland high above the sea and into ancient hanging oak woods, then up onto Martinhoe Common, with a breathtaking coastal waterfall, unusual rocks and a tale of a mythical fish along the way.
Difficulty – Challenging
START:Hunter’s Inn
FINISH:Hunter’s Inn
LENGTH:2.1 miles (3.4 km)
A gentle stroll through ancient woodland, along a babbling stream to a tiny secluded shingle beach strewn with boulders and shadowed by steep,scree-clad hillsides, with dramatic cliffs of geological importance and tales of smugglers and U-boats.
Difficulty – Easy
START:Kiln Car Park, Combe Martin
FINISH:Kiln Car Park, Combe Martin
LENGTH:2.1 miles (3.3 km)
A breathtaking walk in both senses of the word, with tremendous views over Combe Martin Bay and inland, and a gentle stroll downhill through an area once famous for its silver mines. A great walk in autumn, when the rusty bracken bristles with banks of purple heather.
Difficulty – Moderate
START:Car Park, Hillsborough Road, Ilfracombe
FINISH:Car Park, Hillsborough Road, Ilfracombe
LENGTH:1.4 miles (2.3 km)
A short but demanding walk around Ilfracombe's Hillsborough Nature Reserve, known locally as 'The Sleeping Elephant'. There are far-reaching views to Lundy Island in one direction and the South Wales coast in the other. It also has a bird's-eye view of Ilfracombe, harbour, along with a fourteenth century chapel and the Landmark Theatre.
Difficulty – Moderate
View Hillsborough’s Sleeping Elephant at southwestcoastpath.org.uk
START:Combe Martin – Kiln Car Park
FINISH:Combe Martin – Kiln Car Park
LENGTH: 4.7 miles (7.5 km)
An inspiring walk that amply rewards the effort involved, with far-reaching views over coast and hills, through an area rich in history. A good walk in spring, when primroses and violets surround the new bracken unfurling below bushes covered in blossom. Listen out for warblers, as well as nesting seabirds on the cliffs and ravens on the hillside.
Difficulty – Challenging
START:Overhead barrier car park at Holdstone Down
FINISH:Overhead barrier car park at Holdstone Down
LENGTH:4.9 miles (7.9 km)
A high-level walk on coastal heathland, with far-reaching views and a fascinating variety of archaeological remains.
Difficulty – Challenging