Self-Launched: Walking South Devon's Coastal Path – Plymouth to Dartmouth
8 days · South Devon, United Kingdom
Exodus charges £1,527
No-markup version: ~£870 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Walk one of England's most dramatic stretches of the South West Coast Path — from Plymouth to Dartmouth — entirely on your own terms. This self-launched version replaces the operator's managed package with independently booked B&Bs, guesthouses and pub rooms right on the trail, using the same free OS Maps app or the National Trail's own resources for navigation. You'll cross five stunning estuaries by seasonal foot-ferry, round Devon's most southerly point at Prawle, and finish at the mouth of the Dart — all without the guided-tour price tag. Luggage transfers are easy to arrange directly with local providers like Sherpa Van (~£8–12 per bag per day). Estimated costs are approximate and based on budget-conscious independent travel in the UK.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Plymouth
Plymouth, Devon
Make your own way to Plymouth by train from London Paddington (~£30–60 advance, ~2.5 hrs) or other UK cities. Check into a budget B&B or guesthouse near Plymouth Hoe. Spend the afternoon exploring the Barbican, Plymouth Hoe, the Mayflower Steps and the National Marine Aquarium (entry ~£16). Grab fish and chips on the waterfront for dinner — a fine omen for the week ahead.
🚌Train to Plymouth from London Paddington from ~£30–60 advance; local bus or walk from station to Hoe area
🛏Budget B&B or guesthouse near Plymouth Hoe — e.g. Georgian House Hotel or similar (~£55–75/night B&B)
- →Explore Plymouth Barbican and historic waterfront
- →Walk Plymouth Hoe and see Smeaton's Tower lighthouse
- →Visit the National Marine Aquarium (entry ~£16, book direct)
- →Stroll the Elizabethan streets of the old town
Plymouth to Wembury via Plym Estuary (9 km / 5.6 miles)
Plymouth → Wembury, Devon
Take the foot-ferry from Barbican Quay across to Mount Batten (~£2pp, paid locally — runs seasonally, check Plymouth Boat Trips). Follow the South West Coast Path along panoramic cliff tops above Plymouth Sound, through Staddon Heights with its Victorian coastal defences, and on to the quiet village of Wembury. Today is a shorter warm-up day — perfect for settling into trail life. Book your Wembury B&B well in advance as options are limited.
🚌Foot-ferry Barbican Quay → Mount Batten (~£2pp); walk remainder of day's route (~9 km)
🛏Wembury Bay B&B or Shearwater B&B, Wembury (~£60–80/night B&B, book direct)
- →Barbican Quay to Mount Batten foot-ferry (~£2pp)
- →Walk the coastal path via Staddon Heights Victorian fortifications
- →Spot the Great Mewstone sea stack offshore
- →Explore Wembury Beach and its rock pools (National Trust)
Wembury to Mothecombe via Yealm Estuary (17 km / 10.6 miles)
Wembury → Mothecombe / Kingston, Devon
A longer day with one of the prettiest estuary crossings of the week. Take the seasonal foot-ferry from Warren Point to Noss Mayo across the Yealm Estuary (~£4pp — check Newton Ferrers & Noss Mayo Boating Association for seasonal schedule). Follow the path through Passage Wood, out to Mouthstone Point, and along cliff tops via Stoke Beach and Beacon Hill to Mothecombe. Note: there is no ferry across the Erme Estuary — wade across within 90 minutes of low tide (check tide tables at tidetimes.org.uk), or arrange a local taxi (~£35 one-way). Overnight in Kingston or Modbury.
🚌Yealm foot-ferry ~£4pp; Erme Estuary wade (free, tide-dependent) or local taxi ~£35; walk ~17 km
🛏Dolphin Inn, Kingston or Exeter Inn, Modbury (~£65–85/night B&B, book direct)
- →Yealm Estuary foot-ferry Warren Point → Noss Mayo (~£4pp, seasonal)
- →Walk through Passage Wood and out to Mouthstone Point
- →Check tide tables and wade the Erme Estuary at low tide (free) — or taxi ~£35
- →Arrive at Mothecombe and Meadowsfoot Beach
Wonwell to Hope Cove via Avon Estuary (14 km / 8.7 miles)
Wonwell → Hope Cove, Devon
A gorgeous day through Wrinkle Wood and along cliff tops with views of Burgh Island ahead. You'll pass the unspoilt beaches of Westcombe and Ayrmer before taking the seasonal Avon Estuary foot-ferry from Cockleridge Ham to Bantham (~£4pp — check banthamferry.co.uk for seasonal operation). Continue along low cliffs to Thurlestone, past South Milton Ley Nature Reserve, and into the charming double cove of Hope Cove. If time allows, detour to Burgh Island via tidal causeway at low tide.
🚌Avon Estuary foot-ferry ~£4pp; walk ~14 km
🛏Hope & Anchor or Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove (~£70–90/night B&B, book direct)
- →Walk cliff tops via Wrinkle Wood, Westcombe and Ayrmer beaches
- →Avon Estuary foot-ferry Cockleridge Ham → Bantham (~£4pp, seasonal)
- →Pass South Milton Ley Nature Reserve (free)
- →Explore Hope Cove's Inner and Outer Coves
Hope Cove to Salcombe (11.5 km / 6.8 miles)
Hope Cove → Salcombe, Devon
A shorter, scenically spectacular day. Head out via Bolt Tail, through woodland onto open headland with sweeping views of Bigbury Bay — on clear days you can see all the way to the Cornish coast. Walk via Bolberry Down and along cliff tops to the secluded Soar Mill Cove, before reaching Bolt Head. Descend through woodland past Overbeck's Garden (National Trust, entry ~£9 or free with membership) and wind down to Salcombe's South Sands Beach. Salcombe is a lively, upscale sailing town — treat yourself to a local seafood dinner tonight.
🚌Walk only, ~11.5 km
🛏Waverley Guesthouse or Fortescue Inn, Salcombe (~£70–100/night B&B, book direct)
- →Walk Bolt Tail headland with panoramic Bigbury Bay views
- →Visit Soar Mill Cove — one of Devon's most secluded beaches
- →Overbeck's Garden, National Trust (~£9 entry or NT membership)
- →Explore Salcombe town, estuary views and waterfront restaurants
Salcombe to Torcross via Salcombe Estuary (20 km / 12.4 miles)
Salcombe → Beesands / Torcross, Devon
The longest and most remote day of the walk. Take the foot-ferry from Salcombe Town Quay to East Portlemouth (~£2pp — runs frequently in season). The trail heads through one of the most beautiful and secluded sections of the entire South West Coast Path — Portlemouth Down, Gara Beach, and the dramatic 'Swine Trail' cliffs. Round Prawle Point (Devon's most southerly tip) and push on to Start Point lighthouse before descending to the shingle beach at Torcross or Beesands. Pack a good packed lunch today — facilities are minimal en route.
🚌Salcombe to East Portlemouth foot-ferry ~£2pp; walk ~20 km
🛏Cricket Inn, Beesands or Church House Inn, Stokenham (~£70–90/night B&B, book direct)
- →Salcombe to East Portlemouth foot-ferry (~£2pp)
- →Walk Portlemouth Down with panoramic estuary views
- →Round Prawle Point — Devon's most southerly point
- →Visit Start Point lighthouse (exterior free)
Beesands to Dartmouth (18 km / 11.2 miles)
Beesands → Dartmouth, Devon
The final day's walk climbs through woods past old Beesands Quarry before crossing Slapton Sands — a unique sand bar with the freshwater Slapton Ley Nature Reserve on one side and the sea on the other. Continue through charming coastal villages to the mouth of the Dart Estuary, finishing at Dartmouth Castle (entry ~£8, English Heritage). Celebrate your arrival in Dartmouth with a well-earned dinner and pint at a harbourside pub. The town itself is beautiful — worth an evening wander around its medieval streets.
🚌Walk ~18 km
🛏Townstal Farmhouse B&B or The Royal Castle Hotel, Dartmouth (~£75–110/night B&B, book direct)
- →Walk Slapton Sands and Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve (free)
- →Visit Dartmouth Castle (entry ~£8, or English Heritage membership)
- →Explore Dartmouth's historic town centre and Royal Avenue Gardens
- →Celebrate walk completion with dinner at a Dartmouth harbourside pub
Depart Dartmouth
Dartmouth → Home
Enjoy your final included breakfast before heading home. Take a local taxi to Totnes train station (~30 mins, ~£25–35) and connect to the national rail network. Trains from Totnes reach London Paddington in under 3 hours (from ~£30 advance). Alternatively, the Dartmouth Steam Railway runs to Paignton in summer for a scenic finale (£13–15), connecting to mainline services.
🚌Local taxi Dartmouth → Totnes ~£25–35; train Totnes → London Paddington from ~£30 advance
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Final breakfast in Dartmouth
- →Optional: Dartmouth Steam Railway to Paignton (~£13–15 one way, seasonal)
- →Taxi to Totnes station (~£25–35) for mainline train connections home
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£870 | £1,527 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £657 per person (43%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£870
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched: Walking South Devon's Coastal Path – Plymouth to Dartmouth cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £870 per person for 8 days in South Devon, United Kingdom. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £1,527 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £870 — a saving of roughly £657 (43%) per person.
How long is the South Devon, United Kingdom trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through South Devon, United Kingdom.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a hiking, slow-travel, culture trip through South Devon, United Kingdom, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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