Brean Down loop — English Coast Path

Hiking trails & Routes

Brean Down loop — English Coast Path

Easy

4.7

(50)

744

hikers

Brean Down loop — English Coast Path

01:14

4.33km

100m

Hiking

Embark on the easy Brean Down loop, a 2.7-mile (4.3 km) hike that offers sweeping panoramic views across the Bristol Channel and towards Weston-super-Mare. This route, part of the English Coast Path, involves an initial steep climb with steps to reach the summit, but rewards you with diverse terrain including…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

281 m

Brean Down Steps

Highlight • Trail

A set of zig-zagging steps from the beach up onto Brean Downs (National Trust) Nature Reserve, these steep concrete steps thankfully get the climb done pretty quick!

These are also part of the England Coast Path.

Tip by

1.55 km

Brean Down Trig Point

Highlight • Viewpoint

The highest point at Brean Down nature reserve, but you're not at the end yet! Head further along the headland to discover the old Palmerston Fort, built to defend the UK from a possible Napoleonic invasion.

Tip by

2.15 km

Birnbeck Fort Ruins

Highlight • Viewpoint

The ruined fort here was built to defend Britain against a possible Napoleonic invasion. It has been adapted since then to provide sighting and coastal defence until the end of …

Tip by

4.15 km

Brean Beachside Café

Highlight • Beach

The Brean Beachside Cafe is owned and run by the National Trust.
Open from 10:00 - 16:30 every day and serving the normal NT cafe fair. Good quality and you’re supporting the trusts work looking after Brean Down.

Tip by

4.33 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

1.84 km

1.55 km

926 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

1.72 km