Walking the Coast

30 Sep

With 19th century origins as a coastguard patrol route to restrict smuggling, the modern day South West Coast Path is England’s longest waymarked footpath. It runs for 630 miles, from Minehead on the edge of Exmoor to the shores of Poole Harbour and offers the ultimate challenge for the long distance walker.

Its been on Emma’s and mine’s bucket list for a while. After reading Raynor Winn’s “The Salt Path” we had to just do it. And turn a dream into reality.

The logistics of walking 45 staged walks was daunting. Paddy Dillon came to the rescue. His guide has been the backbone of our planning.

Get a good guidebook. We use Paddy Dillon’s, published by Cicerone.

Starting from Minehead we aimed to complete as many day and weekend trips until travel gets to 3 hours. At Padstow we’ve reached our limit. Its now time to plan big and enjoyed several days even the odd week in Cornwall.

For detailed Stage adventures, review my personal Instagram account @robertsargentst

Amazing finish to 3 days of hard walking #southwestcoastpath #Penzance to #Porthcurno

The path that just keeps giving #southwestcoastpath #Penzance to #Porthcurno

Even on a cloudy day Cornwall looks amazing in May. Clear calm sea. Wildflowers out. Dryish paths. Lovely company. Great food. #southwestcoastpath #Penzance to #Porthcurno

Carpets of wildflowers cover granite rocks. Nature at its finest. @southwestcoastpath #Porthcurno to #LandsEnd

Long day finished with more wild flowers and tin mine relics. The Southwest Coastal Path at its best. Portcurno to Trewellard. #southwestcoastpath #porthcurno #hiking #wildflowers #coast

Around Lands End reminded me of 2 years ago. Still as tacky as ever, but the coast around it is superb. Missed out on lunch as no kitchens were open after 2:30! The Southwest Coastal Path at its best. Portcurno to Trewellard. #southwestcoastpath #porthcurno #hiking #wildflowers #coast

Carpets of wild flowers. Hot sunshine. Rocky path. Slow start. The Southwest Coastal Path at its best. Portcurno to Trewellard. #southwestcoastpath #porthcurno #hiking #wildflowers #coast

Beautiful sunshine and granite rocks smothered in wild flowers. The Southwest Coastal Path at its best. Portcurno to Trewellard. #southwestcoastpath #porthcurno #hiking #wildflowers #coast

Glorious scenery #southwestcoastpath #StIves to #Trewellard. Plenty of painting inspiration!

Amazing weather for walking. #southwestcoastpath #StIves to #Trewellard

Day 3 Lagos to Cabo Sao Vicente. Slowest 6km start because of too many beautiful photo opportunities. Orange cliffs, turquoise sea, steep hills, Martian MTBing, steep descents, eucalyptus aroma, more wildflowers, final flat push to the lighthouse. #ecoviadolitoral #algrave #portugal #paintinginspiration #cycling #mtb

Lagos at night from yesterday. Must return another day.

Day 2 Ecovia do Litoral. Quinta do Lago to Logos. Beautiful wild countryside, cheesey holiday resorts, stunning orange cliffs, perfect beaches.

Mixed scenery today and lots of wrong turns. Beautiful sunshine made it hot again. Fresh legs meant I made it all the way to Lagos. #cycling #ecoviadolitoral #algarve #portugal

Beautiful cycle from Vila Real de Santo Antonia to Quinta do Lago. Dunes, umbrella pine forests, boardwalks, dust trails, salt marshes, orange groves, promenades and beach. Amazing sweet smelling wildflowers and cheerful birdsong as I battled summer temperatures without shade. #Ecovia do Litoral #riaformosa #algarve #portugal #adventurecycling #paintinginspiration #wildflowers #birdsong

Hiking in the hills Inspiring wild landscape of Wales. #landscapes #acrylicpainting #hiking #nature @gvmilliner

Last leg of the long weekend. Lelant to St.Ives. Easy stroll through Cornwall’s finest. @@ #southwestcoastpath #hiking #walking #cornwall #longweekend #paintinginspiration #landscape #seascape