The Hardest Coast Path in Devon
This section of the South West Coast Path between Hartland and Clovelly is notoriously tough — constant steep ascents and descents through deep valleys that cut into the cliff line make it one of the most physically demanding stretches of coastal walking in England. The cumulative ascent of around 700 metres across 10 miles means you climb more here than on many mountain walks, and the relentless up-and-down rhythm through each successive valley never lets you settle into an easy rhythm. This is not a walk to underestimate.
The reward, however, is scenery unlike anywhere else on the British coastline. The cliffs here are contorted, folded Carboniferous rock — ancient strata twisted into dramatic formations by tectonic forces hundreds of millions of years ago, now exposed in towering cliff faces that lean, buckle and fold at impossible angles. There is virtually no human development between the start at Hartland Quay and the finish at Clovelly — no villages, no cafes, no mobile signal for long stretches. Carry all the food and water you need for the day.
⚠️ Fitness Required
This is a genuinely strenuous walk. The 700m of cumulative ascent across 10 miles means more climbing than many mountain walks. The constant up-and-down through steep valleys is relentless — there are no flat sections where you can recover. Allow 5–7 hours and carry plenty of water, food and waterproofs. Not suitable for young children or those with limited mobility.
The Route
🗺️ Hartland Point to Clovelly (10 miles · 5–7 hours · Linear)
From the car park at Hartland Quay, follow the coast path north to Hartland Point lighthouse. The cliffs here are dramatic — contorted rock strata visible in the cliff faces, folded and fractured by ancient geological forces. Views out to Lundy Island open up as you gain height, and the lighthouse marks the northernmost tip of Devon's Atlantic coast.
Round the point and head east. The coast becomes even wilder as you leave the lighthouse behind — the sense of remoteness intensifies. Shipload Bay is a remote shingle cove accessible only on foot, tucked beneath towering cliffs. It makes a dramatic stopping point for a first rest and a chance to absorb the scale of the landscape ahead.
Through deep valleys and up steep climbs, the path traverses some of the most dramatic terrain on the entire walk. Blackchurch Rock is a dramatic natural arch of dark stone standing offshore in a secluded cove — one of the walk's finest landmarks and one of the most photographed features on the entire South West Coast Path.
Continue east through more steep valleys. After rain, waterfalls drop over the cliff edges directly into the sea — a spectacle unique to this stretch of coast. Mouth Mill is a tiny wooded cove at the bottom of a deep valley, sheltered and atmospheric, offering a welcome change of scenery from the exposed clifftops.
The path climbs to Windbury Point at 177 metres — the highest cliff on this section and one of the highest on the North Devon coast. The views from the top are spectacular: back along the rugged coast you've walked, and ahead to Clovelly and beyond. This is the last major climb of the day.
Descend through woodland into the famous village of Clovelly — cobbled streets, whitewashed cottages, donkeys and a harbour at the bottom of a 400ft cliff. The arrival is spectacular as the village tumbles steeply down the cliff face below you. After hours of wild, empty coast, the contrast could not be greater.
🚗 Transport Logistics
This is a linear walk, so you will need to arrange transport between the start and finish. Either arrange pickup at Clovelly or use the 319 bus service (Hartland–Clovelly–Bideford, limited timetable — check in advance). Alternatively, park at Clovelly Visitor Centre (admission charge includes parking) and take a taxi to Hartland Quay to start. Walking east from Hartland to Clovelly means finishing downhill into the village — psychologically better after a long day on the cliffs.
Walk Highlights
Contorted Cliffs
The Carboniferous rock strata have been folded and twisted by ancient tectonic forces into extraordinary formations. The cliff faces display geological drama at every turn — buckled, fractured and leaning at impossible angles.
Blackchurch Rock
A dramatic natural arch of dark rock standing in a secluded cove. One of the most photographed features on the entire South West Coast Path and a highlight of any walk along this coast.
Cliff-Edge Falls
After rain, waterfalls cascade directly over the cliff edges into the sea. The most dramatic are between Blackchurch Rock and Mouth Mill — nowhere else in Devon matches this spectacle.
Clovelly
The famous fishing village tumbles down a 400ft cliff on a cobbled street so steep that donkeys once carried supplies. Traffic-free, whitewashed, impossibly pretty — the perfect walk finale.
Clovelly
Clovelly is one of Devon's most extraordinary villages — a single cobbled street that plunges 400 feet down a near-vertical cliff to a tiny harbour at the bottom. The village is privately owned by the Clovelly Estate, and an entrance fee is charged at the visitor centre at the top (which includes parking). The cobbled High Street — known locally as "Up-a-long" and "Down-a-long" — is so steep that no vehicles are permitted. Historically, donkeys and sledges carried supplies to the harbour; today, sledges are still used for deliveries.
At the bottom, the Red Lion hotel sits right on the harbour wall — one of the most atmospheric places to stay or eat in North Devon. The harbour itself is tiny and picturesque, still home to a small fishing fleet. Clovelly holds a famous Herring Festival each November, celebrating the fish that sustained the village for centuries. After the wild emptiness of the coast path, allow time to explore — the contrast between the raw landscape you have walked through and this immaculately preserved village is remarkable.
Hartland Quay
Hartland Quay is the starting point for this walk and worth exploring in its own right. A small car park sits beside the Hartland Quay Hotel, which has a pub and serves food — useful for pre-walk fuel or a post-walk celebration if you return here. The quay itself was once a busy trading port, but it was largely destroyed by storms in the 19th century and only fragments of the original harbour walls remain, a testament to the ferocity of the Atlantic weather on this coast.
The rocks around Hartland Quay display some of the most dramatic geological formations in Devon — contorted strata folded into zigzag patterns by ancient geological forces. At low tide, the rock platforms are exposed and worth exploring. For more detail on the beach and its geology, see our Hartland Quay Beach guide.
Dogs on this Walk
Dogs are welcome on this walk but must be kept on a lead throughout. Livestock graze the clifftop fields in several sections, and the cliff edges are sheer and unfenced — a dog running freely near the edge risks a fatal fall. This is also a long and demanding walk for dogs, with the same relentless ascents and descents that challenge human walkers. Ensure your dog is fit enough for a 10-mile strenuous walk before setting out.
Carry water for your dog as there are no reliable water sources along most of the route. The streams in the valley bottoms may provide water but cannot be guaranteed, especially in dry weather. Clovelly has water available at the finish.
Getting There
Hartland Quay is in remote northwest Devon, approximately 15 miles west of Bideford. Follow the A39 to Hartland, then narrow lanes south to Hartland Quay — the final approach is single-track with passing places. Clovelly is roughly 10 miles east of Hartland along the A39, well signposted from the main road. Both locations have parking, though Clovelly charges an entrance/parking fee at its visitor centre.
The 319 bus links Hartland and Clovelly via Bideford, but the service runs a limited timetable — check current schedules before relying on it. For most visitors, a car is essential for reaching the start point. If walking as a group, consider leaving vehicles at both ends to avoid the need for public transport.