Section: Babbacombe to Exmouth

Length: 15 miles (23km)

Distance from Minehead to Babbacombe: 505.2 miles (803.6km)

Distance from Exmouth to Poole: 116.4 miles (186.4km)

Grading: Strenuous at first and then easy

Height gained (and also lost): 3501ft(1067m)

Summary:

A truly varied walk awaits as you set off from the hustle and bustle of Torbay and pass into a more rural, rugged landscape which then leads to more urban areas ahead. The twisting Path between Torquay and Shaldon has several tiring ascents and descents as it passes through open fields and high, thick woodland before easing on the descent to the mouth of the Teign. After a short ferry crossing you can enjoy easy walking along Teignmouth’s promenade, which offers a rest after the more strenuous stretches earlier in the day. The Path follows part of the National Cycle Network on the way to Dawlish Warren, which includes some road walking. Train enthusiasts will particularly enjoy this section. Take time to look out for the wildlife of Dawlish Warren’s National Nature Reserve before taking the second ferry crossing of the day over the Exe Estuary to Exmouth, where you can find a good cafe or restaurant for a well deserved rest.

Highlights along the path:

• The views ahead from Babbacombe Downs to the classic red Devon sandstone cliffs edged by the South West Coast Path.
• The historic cliff railway above Oddicombe Beach. Open from Easter until Whitsun - 9.30am to 5.00pm and Whitsun until 30 September - 9.30am to 5.30pm.
• The fantastic views across Babbacombe Bay from The Valley of the Rocks above Watcombe.
• Looking out for cirl buntings in the carefully managed fields beyond the village of Maidencombe. Thanks to the restoration of hedgerows and the work of farmers, who leave their fields with winter stubble, these rare birds are returning to the Devon coast.
• Walking round The Ness and enjoying the views to Shaldon, the Teign and East Devon and Dorset beyond.
• Taking the foot ferry from Shaldon to Teignmouth. A ferry has operated here since the 13th century. Note the black and white pattern on the boats: a design which has been used for the past 300 years. If the ferry is not running you can take the fairly short journey over the bridge into Teignmouth.
• Teignmouth: In this historic port and holiday town you can either watch the boats coming and going from one of the harbourside inns or head straight for the Victorian pier and the traditional seaside entertainment along the promenade. More facilities are to be found off route in the centre of town.
• The Parson and Clerk Rocks at Holcombe Head: A curious legend tells of how an ambitious Dawlish priest and his clerk became lost during a storm after visiting the Bishop of Exeter. Needing a guide, the priest foolishly declared that ‘the devil himself’ would do and the pair were immediately greeted by a mysterious man who led them straight into the sea to their deaths.
• Devon’s railway heritage: Following the route of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s mainline, which passes through five impressive tunnels on its way round the coast.
• Looking out for dolphins near the red rock stacks of Langstone Rock.
• Taking the ferry from near Brunel’s ‘atmospheric railway’ pumping house at Starcross across the Exe Estuary to Exmouth.

Worth a look (interesting places close to the path):

• The black swans of Dawlish Water: In the centre of the town of Dawlish are beautiful public gardens known as The Lawn and through the middle runs the Brook, or Dawlish Water, which is home to rare wildfowl, trout, ducks and black swans. The river runs over a series of small waterfalls on its way to the sea.
• Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve, the second most important in Devon: A great many species of plants, fungi and invertebrates thrive here due to the extraordinary mix of habitats, including dunes, grassland, brambly scrub and saltmarsh. An extensive list of bird sightings as well as other interesting information about the Reserve can be found at Dawlish Warren Visitor Centre (tel: 01626 863980). Views from here extend over the Exe Estuary to Exmouth and to Orcombe Point which marks the beginning of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Sight.
• The attractive cathedral city of Exeter - Devon's county town.

Shorter option:

Teignmouth (6.4 miles, 10.3 km) or Dawlish (10.1 miles, 16.2 km)

Longer option:

Continue to Budleigh Salterton (an additional 5.4 miles, 8.7 km)

Public transport info:

There is a mainline train station at Newton Abbot, with regular trains to Torquay and Paignton, Teignmouth, Dawlish and Dawlish Warren. The Stagecoach Devon number 111 service runs regularly between Totnes and Torquay. The number 2 bus runs regularly between Torquay and Starcross, via Teignmouth, Dawlish and Dawlish Warren. The Shaldon to Teignmouth ferry> runs throughout the year. For details tel: 07896 711822. The Starcross to Exmouth ferry runs hourly, every day from the middle of April to the end of October. Tel: 01626 862452 for details. If you miss the ferry you can either take a water taxi to Exmouth, tel: 07970 918418, follow the Exe Valley way up to the ferry at Topsham or take a bus or train from Dawlish Warren to Exeter and then on to Exmouth. For further details visit Traveline

Refreshments:

Torquay has a wide range of shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes and there are also refreshments available in Babbacombe at the beginning of your walk. There are plenty of opportunities to buy or stop for refreshments further on in Watcombe, Maidencombe, Shaldon, Teignmouth and Dawlish and there are a few shops and pubs at Starcross.

Nearest Car park:

Torquay and Babbacombe, Watcombe, Maidencombe, The Ness near Shaldon, Teignmouth, Dawlish, Dawlish Warren and Exmouth.

Toilets:

Torquay and Babbacombe, Watcombe, Maidencombe, The Ness near Shaldon, Teignmouth, Dawlish, Dawlish Warren and Exmouth.

More information:

Torquay Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01803 211211
Shaldon Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01626 873723
Teignmouth Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01626 215666
Dawlish Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01626 215665
Exmouth Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01395 222299

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