Why the South West Is Perfect for Beginner Walkers

Nowhere else in England puts so much coastline within such easy reach. From the wide estuaries of Somerset and Devon to the granite cliffs of Cornwall, the South West offers hundreds of miles of waymarked path, and a surprising amount of it is gentle enough for someone lacing up walking boots for the very first time. The South West Coast Path stretches 630 miles from Minehead to Poole, but you certainly do not have to tackle it in one go, or even in one direction. The secret is to pick a short, forgiving stretch, take it slowly, and let the sea do the rest.

The region is also brilliantly set up for beginners. Villages sit close together, cafés and public toilets are rarely far away, and there is usually a bus back to your starting point if your legs decide they have had enough.

What Makes a Route Beginner-Friendly

Before you choose a walk, it helps to know what you are looking for. A few simple filters will keep your first outing enjoyable rather than exhausting.

• Short distances. Three to five miles is plenty for a first coastal walk, especially on uneven ground. You can always add a beach loop at the end.
• Gentle gradients. Estuary paths and old railway trails are usually flat and wide. Cliff paths almost always involve steps, so pick sections with one or two climbs rather than a constant up-and-down.
• Good surfaces. Look for crushed stone, tarmac or firm boardwalk, and avoid anything described as steep, rocky or exposed until you have a few miles behind you.
• Escape routes. A path that passes through a village every mile or so means you can stop for a cup of tea or cut the walk short without any drama.
• Facilities at both ends. Parking, a loo and somewhere to buy lunch make a huge difference to how relaxed the day feels.

Gentle Estuary Trails with Big Skies

Estuaries are the quiet secret of coastal walking. The water is calm, the path is generally flat, and the birdlife is superb, particularly in autumn and winter when waders gather in their thousands.

The old railway line beside the Camel Estuary between Padstow and Wadebridge is a lovely introduction: roughly five and a half miles each way, entirely traffic-free, with the option of a shorter stroll along the water's edge at Padstow before turning round. On the other side of the peninsula, the Exe Estuary path from Exmouth to Lympstone runs for about two miles along a surfaced track, with wide views across to the mudflats and dunes. It is pushchair-friendly and almost impossible to get lost on.

Easy Cliff Paths with Proper Sea Views

You do not have to avoid cliffs altogether to keep things easy. Some stretches of the coast path hug the clifftop without demanding much climbing at all.

• Marazion to Perranuthnoe, Cornwall. About two miles each way on a mostly level path, with St Michael's Mount floating offshore for the first half. An excellent first taste of the coast path.
• Newlyn to Mousehole, Cornwall. Barely a mile and a half, gently undulating, finishing in one of the prettiest harbours in the county. Ideal for an evening.
• Bude to Northcott Mouth, Cornwall. Around two miles along the cliff tops with wide views back over the breakwater. One modest climb, rewarded by a big, empty beach at the far end.

In Devon, Budleigh Salterton to Otterton along the River Otter is flat, pretty and leads to a pub garden, which is a combination worth travelling for.

Beach Days and Walks in One Trip

The great pleasure of the South West is how easily a walk and a swim slot together. Plan your route so it finishes at a beach with a lifeguard, or at least one with a gentler shelving shore. A morning walk followed by a picnic, a paddle and an ice cream beats trying to cover ten miles and finishing too tired to enjoy the sand.

Carry a small towel, a dry bag for your phone and a spare layer in the car. Tide times matter more than most beginners expect: several beautiful coves and estuary crossings are only passable for a couple of hours either side of low water, and it is easy to be caught out. Check a tide table the night before, and if a route mentions a tidal crossing, treat that as a firm instruction rather than a suggestion.

Practical Tips for Your First Coastal Walk

• Wear shoes with grip. Trainers are fine on estuary paths, but cliff paths and wet boardwalks reward proper walking shoes or boots.
• Pack light but sensibly. Water, a snack, a waterproof jacket, sun cream and a charged phone will cover almost every eventuality.
• Allow more time than you think. Sea views slow everyone down, and a two-mile coastal walk can easily take an hour with stops.
• Watch the weather and tell someone your plan. Coastal paths are exposed even when inland feels calm, and mobile signal comes and goes on many stretches, so let someone know your route and expected return time.

Start small, pick a fine day, and let the South West do the rest. Most people find their first gentle coastal walk is followed, quite quickly, by a second one that is just a little bit longer.