Coast path challenge is 'magical and mesmerising'

Avid walkers say they love the South West Coast Path for many reasons, from escapism, to its scenery, to meeting like-minded people.

The path runs for 630 miles (1,013km), from Minehead on the edge of Exmoor to the shores of Poole Harbour, and many try to complete all sections.

The route has caused some walkers to lose teeth in falls and be at risk of dehydration. However, this has not put them off returning year after year.

Graham Eaves, from north Devon, who has made seven full-through hikes of the path, said: "It's a magical place to be, and it just drew me back."

"Why have I walked it seven times? I was addicted.," he explained.

"After the first time, the scenery was so spectacular, and having walked most of the major national trails, the South West Coast Path has so much to offer.

"I just can't stop walking it, and also I wanted to see the coast through all the seasons."

His first hike was his fastest, and he completed it in 52 days using campsite stops.

But it has not been all positive.

"The massive low was when I reached Crackington Haven on my second through-hike... and the weight of my rucksack threw me forward, and [I fell to the ground and] I knocked my front teeth out, which I've still not repaired."

He said he used "painkillers and a mouthwash, so I had a bit of a rough night in the tent, but continued the following day".

The Ramblers Association said slips and falls from walking and running were the biggest risks of coastal walking although though it was "a very safe activity most of the time".

The charity has issued seven tips for staying safe on the coast.

Couple Tasha Clark, 40, and Darren Gregory, 38, from Blandford, Dorset, are relatively new to walking the path.

"We have Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door on our doorstep. Darren introduced me to the South West Coast Path, so beginning of 2025 we decided to complete it strategically," Ms Clark said.

"We've completed Dorset and we've done south Devon and now we're starting Cornwall.

"We class it as down time and it takes us away from work and really connects me and Darren."

Mr Gregory said walking the path was "mesmerising" and a form of "escapism [and] I forget about work, my mind wanders off".

"Thoughts just evaporate, it's just the openness, sometimes you don't meet anyone until mile six."

The South West Coast Path has also played a key role in Rick Cornwall's life.

In 2025, he marked 60 years since he first walked a section of the path.

He said he was "a young lad at Tolcarne School, Newlyn - it's called Newlyn School these days" and he walked from home past the fish market, "dodging the fish guts in the gutter, and you'd have to dodge the ice falling from the factory's conveyor belt" to school.

"That route is now part of the South West Coast Path. So, 60 years ago, from this year, that's when I first set foot on that path, or what became that path."

He used to walk to school with his sister and said "to mark the 60th anniversary in January... we rewalked that section from the old cottage in Newlyn to the school gate".

He said he had completed the full path once and "some sections hundreds, if not thousands of times, simply because the path is on my doorstep" in west Cornwall.

He has some standout memories including finishing the path with the "short section from Swanage through to Poole Harbour" where "my wife and my sister met me, and we had a little celebration".

He said "there was also a tinge of sadness" as he finished the final section as a fellow walker had recently died: "On the day that I finished, I wore a photograph of her on my lanyard around the neck and carried her across the finish line in memory".

Another memory from his 60 years was "walking the section between Brixham and Kingswear, which is quite surprisingly tough, it was a very hot day and I had ran out of water".

He said after some time, "the risk of dehydration and exhaustion disappeared" when fellow walkers offered him a large bottle of water.

"That certainly wasn't one of my favourite days, but one I should always remember," he said.

All the hikers urged walkers of the path to be prepared, as does the South West Coast Path Association.

But for many walkers the views, isolation and memories keep them coming back.

Mr Cornwall said: "Most people can walk most of it. There are some sections which are open to bicycles, mobility scooters and wheelchairs.

"The path itself is also known as the healing path, or the friendly path.

Mr Eaves said: "I've had seven massive high points, and that's walking back through Instow past my home, and my wife walking down to meet me, walking towards me with my border collie dog, and you can't get a bigger high.

"It's such a lovely, wonderful feeling after being away for so long."

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