There is nothing quite like lace-up boots, a fresh Atlantic breeze, and the dramatic clifftops of North Devon. The South West Coast Path is rightly famous as one of the UK’s premier hiking trails, but you don't need to tackle all 630 miles of it to experience its magic.
The area surrounding the charming village of Berrynarbor - nestled perfectly between Ilfracombe and Combe Martin - offers some of the most diverse, visually stunning circular walks on the entire peninsula.
Whether you want a challenging clifftop trek or a gentle stroll through hidden valleys, these three circular routes prove that the best way to see North Devon is on foot.
The Berrynarbor & Widmouth Head Loop
Distance: Approx. 7 miles | Time: 3–4 hours | Level: Moderate
This route offers the perfect blend of traditional Devon countryside and rugged coastal edge, taking you past quiet streams, rolling fields, and ancient smuggling coves.
- The Route: Start in the picture-postcard village of Berrynarbor (home to the famous "flowerpot men"). From the village shop, follow the footpaths heading down through the lush Sterridge Valley and toward Comyn Farm. Head along Cat Lane until you join the South West Coast Path near Rillage Point.
- The Highlights: As you loop around Widmouth Head, the views open up spectacularly over Watermouth Bay, where boats bob gently at high tide. You'll pass directly past the entrance to Sandy Cove Hotel, making it the absolute perfect mid-way point to stop. Head up the old coast road and follow the signs back through the fields to Berrynarbor church.
The Watermouth Bay & Broadsands Secret Beach Trail
Distance: Approx. 3.5 miles | Time: 1.5–2 hours | Level: Short but Steep
If you want maximum reward for a shorter distance, this coastal loop targets the jaw-dropping vistas between Watermouth and Combe Martin Bay.
- The Route: Starting directly on the coast path, wind your way around the sheltered harbor of Watermouth. Follow the trail through the shaded woodland tracks as it rises up onto the cliffs.
- The Highlights: This walk features one of North Devon's ultimate hidden gems: Broadsands Beach. Tucked beneath steep, fern-covered cliffs, this double cove looks more like Thailand than the UK on a sunny day. Be warned - it requires descending (and later ascending) roughly 200 cliff steps, but the crystal-clear waters are worth every ounce of effort. Loop back inland via the old coast road.
The Combe Martin to Great Hangman Challenge
Distance: Approx. 5.5 miles | Time: 2.5–3 hours | Level: Challenging
For hikers looking to test their cardio while soaking in jaw-dropping geographical scale, this route conquers the highest point on the entire South West Coast Path.
- The Route: Start at the Kiln car park just above Combe Martin Bay. The path climbs steeply through a sheltered woodland track before emerging onto the open clifftops of Little Hangman. From there, continue the steady ascent up to Great Hangman.
- The Highlights: Standing on Great Hangman, you are at the highest sheer cliff in southern Britain, towering 250 meters above the churning sea. On a clear day, the panoramic views stretch across the Bristol Channel all the way to the Welsh coast. Head inland across the moorland paths, dotted with grazing sheep, to descend gently back down into Combe Martin valley.
The Ultimate Walker's Basecamp
The best part of a day spent conquering Devon’s steep coastal inclines? The recovery.
At Sandy Cove Hotel, we pride ourselves on being a true walker's paradise. Not only do we sit directly on the South West Coast Path, but we have a curated collection of 8 custom circular coastal walks beautifully detailed and mapped out by the Exmoor National Park Ranger, available right at our reception desk.
After a day on your feet, you can slip straight into our heated indoor pool and thermal suite, watch the evening waves crash through our floor-to-ceiling windows, and refuel with an award-winning dinner at one of our 3 AA Rosette restaurants.
Book your North Devon walking holiday at Sandy Cove Hotel today.
