Ilfracombe & Woolacombe loop of the South West Coast Path and the Old Railway Line — North Devon

Hiking trails & Routes

Ilfracombe & Woolacombe loop of the South West Coast Path and the Old Railway Line — North Devon

Hard

5.0

(4)

hikers

Ilfracombe & Woolacombe loop of the South West Coast Path and the Old Railway Line — North Devon

06:30

22.9km

500m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 6, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

North Devon AONB

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1.23 km

View of Torrs Point

Highlight • Natural

From here, you can take a path right down onto a beautiful pebbly cove beneath. The walk down is steep, so be mindful of your footing.

Tip by

2.40 km

View of Brandy Cove Point and Breakneck Point

Highlight • Climb

Here the south west coast path passes closeby Brandy Cove Point and Breakneck Point. There are gorgeous views north east towards Ilfracombe and the Torrs. Or south east towards Flat Point and all the way to Bull Point.

Tip by

6.35 km

View of Damagehue Rock

Highlight • Viewpoint

Up here above Damagehue Rock the views in either direction are superb. West to Bull Point or east across Lee Bay to Shag. You are spoilt for choice.

Tip by

7.43 km

Bull Point Lighthouse

Highlight • Monument

There has been a lighthouse here at Bull Point since 1879. The current structure was built in 1975 after the original building succumbed to subsidence. The light can be seen for 44km and is still a very important warning to seafarers of the dangerous rocky coastline.

Aside from the lighthouse, you can enjoy spectacular views of Rockham Bay towards Morte Point to the south west and to the east towards Shag Point.

Tip by

8.28 km

Rockham Beach

Highlight • Beach

Amazing views at every corner, some serious climbs and decents but a nice Inn halfway round for a much needed energy boost.

Tip by

10.3 km

Morte Point

Highlight • Natural Monument

This is a brilliant place for seal watching. Keep a look out for their heads bobbing in the sea or lying up on the rocks.

If seals aren't enough, there are some fantastic views south towards Baggy Point across Woolacombe Bay.

It is called Morte Point as it is such a dangerous area for shipping. So many ships have been wrecked here that its name means 'Death Point'.

Tip by

12.4 km

Combesgate Beach

Highlight • Beach

Combesgate Beach is just north of Woolacombe Beach and is much quieter and a lot smaller in comparison.

Check the tides if you are thinking of visiting as there is only a small bay at high tide. Low tide reveals some lovely rockpools and a much bigger expanse of sand.

Tip by

18.8 km

The Old Railway Line (Ilfracombe to Woolacombe)

Highlight • Trail

The Old Railway Line is a traffic free walking and cycling path which links Ilfracombe and Woolacombe.

Once part of the London and South Western Railway, the route passes the Slade Reservoirs and takes in beautiful views of the Devon countryside.

The path goes between Ossaborough (just east of Woolacombe) to the centre of Ilfracombe. If you have walked between Ilfracombe and Woolacombe on the south west coast path, at four miles long, it is an ideal way to return to your starting point to make a round trip.

Tip by

22.9 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types