South West Coast Path (Section 1: Minehead to Porlock Weir)

The South West Coast Path (Section 1: Minehead to Porlock Weir) is a 14.3-km point-to-point trail in South West England, United Kingdom, climbing roughly 430 m of ascent across a single day. Rated moderate, it opens England's 1,014-km national coast path, carrying walkers from Minehead seafront over the wooded heights of Exmoor National Park down to the pebble harbour of Porlock Weir.

About the South West Coast Path (Section 1: Minehead to Porlock Weir)

The South West Coast Path is the longest waymarked footpath in England, running 1,014 km (630 miles) from Minehead in Somerset around the entire peninsula to Poole Harbour in Dorset. Section 1, from Minehead to Porlock Weir, is where the whole journey begins. A sculpted pair of hands holding a map and chart marks the official start on Minehead's seafront, and from there the route plunges straight into the drama that defines the path: steep wooded combes, high heather-clad cliffs and sudden sea views.

Managed by National Trails in partnership with the South West Coast Path Association, this opening leg covers 14.3 km (8.9 miles) and is usually walked in a single day of around 5 hours. It is a point-to-point route, so most walkers use public transport or a car shuttle to return to the start. Almost the entire section lies inside Exmoor National Park, which means heath, ancient oak woodland and some of the highest sea cliffs in England all in one walk. The terrain underfoot ranges from surfaced lanes and farm tracks to narrow cliff paths and a long pebble ridge, and the moderate rating comes mainly from the sharp climb out of Minehead onto North Hill and the steep drop towards Bossington.

Because this is the literal first step of a 630-mile adventure, many long-distance walkers begin here before committing to weeks on the trail. Whether you are testing the water for a full thru-hike or simply chasing a memorable day on the Exmoor coast, Section 1 delivers an honest taste of what the South West Coast Path asks of your legs and rewards your eyes with.

Route Overview & Stages

This single-day section is best understood as four natural sub-stages, each with its own character. Distances and ascent figures below are approximate and break the 14.3 km down into manageable chunks for planning food and water stops.

The standard route begins with a steep zigzag through woodland up to North Hill, then traverses open heathland before a slight rise leads to the Bossington fork. A steep path descends through a little valley towards the coast near Hurlstone Point and into the village of Bossington, with its car park and toilets. From there a lane and waymarked field path lead to Porlock Marsh, where you can either crunch along the pebble ridge or follow steps and a road into Porlock Weir. Allow at least 5 hours, more if you take the high-level Selworthy Beacon variant.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• The Map & Hands sculpture, Minehead — the official zero-mile marker of the entire South West Coast Path, a giant pair of bronze hands clasping a map on the seafront.
• North Hill — a 250 m wooded shoulder reached by a steep zigzag, offering the day's first sweeping views over the Bristol Channel toward the Welsh coast.
• Selworthy Beacon — at 308 m the high point of this stretch of Exmoor, an optional detour rewarded with 360-degree heathland panoramas.
• Hurlstone Point — a dramatic headland topped by a former coastguard lookout, marking the steep descent toward Bossington.
• Bossington village — a tiny National Trust hamlet of thatched cottages with a welcome tearoom, car park and public toilets.
• Porlock Marsh — a tidal saltmarsh created when the sea breached the shingle ridge in 1996, now a haven for wading birds and skeletal drowned trees.
• Porlock Bay pebble ridge — a long curving bank of grey shingle that forms the natural boundary between marsh and sea.
• Porlock Weir — a historic small harbour with a tidal dock, centuries-old cottages, pubs and the end-of-walk reward of fresh seafood.

Best Time to Hike the South West Coast Path (Section 1: Minehead to Porlock Weir)

This is a year-round walk, but conditions vary sharply by season. The single best month is May. As of 2026, late spring offers the most reliable balance of dry, settled weather, long daylight and a coast path bursting with gorse, bluebells and sea pink, while the heavy summer crowds of Minehead and Porlock have not yet arrived. Average May daytime temperatures on the Exmoor coast sit around 14–16°C, and the ground that can turn the Bossington descent greasy in winter is usually firm.

June to September brings the warmest, longest days but also the busiest car parks and accommodation, so book ahead if you walk in high summer. April and October are quieter shoulder months with attractive light and autumn colour in the combes, though showers are more frequent and the wooded climbs can be muddy. November through February is walkable on clear days but exposed sections near Hurlstone Point catch the full force of Atlantic gales, and short daylight makes the 5-hour outing tight — start early and carry a head torch. Always check the Exmoor forecast before setting out, as sea mist can roll in quickly over North Hill even in fine weather.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Minehead, at the start, has the widest choice. Expect to pay roughly €95–€145 per night for a mid-range bed-and-breakfast double room, while the YHA-style hostel and budget guesthouses run closer to €30–€55 per person. Self-catering and camping options sit around Porlock and Porlock Weir at the finish; pitched-tent campsites near Porlock charge approximately €14–€26 per night for two people. Porlock Weir itself has a handful of inns and small hotels in the €110–€170 range, ideal if you want to celebrate completing Section 1 without travelling far. Booking is essential from June to September and over bank-holiday weekends. Wild camping is not permitted along this section without the landowner's consent.

Getting There & Back

The nearest mainline railway station is Taunton, about 40 km away and roughly 45 minutes by bus or car; from Taunton the heritage West Somerset Railway runs seasonally into Minehead. The nearest major airport is Bristol Airport, around 90 km and about 1 hour 30 minutes by road. Because the walk is point-to-point, plan your return in advance: local bus services link Porlock and Porlock Weir back to Minehead in around 25–35 minutes, though timetables are sparse on Sundays and in winter, so a pre-arranged taxi (roughly €25–€35) is a reliable backup. Parking is available at Minehead seafront and in Bossington and Porlock for those using two vehicles.

Permits & Fees

No permit and no fee are required to walk the South West Coast Path — it is a public National Trail open to everyone, every day of the year. The only costs you may meet are pay-and-display car parks (around €4–€8 per day in Minehead and Bossington) and optional National Trust donations at the Bossington and Selworthy properties. Dogs are welcome but must be kept under close control around grazing livestock on Exmoor's open heath.

Gear & Packing List

Section 1 is a single day, so a comfortable daypack of 20–35 litres is plenty. The steep climb out of Minehead and the exposed cliff tops mean layering matters more than capacity. A pack such as the ADV Skin 20 suits fast, light day-walkers, while the Abisko Hike 35 gives more room for waterproofs, lunch and a camera. If you are using this walk as a shakedown for a multi-day South West Coast Path thru-hike, test your full load with a larger pack like the 2400 Windrider so your hips and shoulders are ready for the weeks ahead.

Pack a waterproof jacket regardless of the forecast, sturdy trail shoes with grip for the greasy Bossington descent and the loose pebble ridge, 1.5–2 litres of water, and high-energy snacks. There are no shops between Minehead and Bossington, so plan calories carefully — our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you avoid bonking on the climbs. If you are weighing up a lighter setup for longer coast-path trips, see our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026.

For authoritative, up-to-date route notes and safety advice straight from the trail managers, consult the South West Coast Path Association. For Exmoor weather, wildlife and access details, the Exmoor National Park Authority is the official source.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the wild coast and big-country feel of Exmoor appeals, several other British long-distance routes deliver the same blend of solitude and landscape. The following trails pair well with the South West Coast Path for walkers building up to multi-day adventures or chasing more of the UK's classic National Trails.

• Pennine Way (Middleton in Teesdale to Kirk Yetholm) — England's toughest upland trail, swapping sea cliffs for moorland and the Cheviot Hills.
• Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap) — Wainwright's beloved crossing from the Irish Sea into the Lake District fells.
• Via Francigena - 01 part Great Britain — the British opening of the historic pilgrim route toward Rome.

For an overseas contrast with similarly dramatic terrain, our walkthrough of how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania shows how the same day-hike planning skills transfer to mountain crossings abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Minehead to Porlock Weir?
May is the single best month. Late spring delivers settled, dry weather, long daylight and a wildflower-rich coast path before the summer crowds reach Minehead and Porlock. Average daytime temperatures of 14–16°C keep the steep Bossington descent firm underfoot. June to September is warmer but busier, while winter brings Atlantic gales and short days that make the 5-hour walk tight.

How difficult is Section 1 of the South West Coast Path?
It is rated moderate. The 14.3 km distance is manageable, but the difficulty comes from a steep zigzag climb out of Minehead onto North Hill, around 430 m of total ascent, and a sharp, sometimes greasy descent toward Bossington. With reasonable fitness and grippy footwear most walkers complete it comfortably in about 5 hours, but it is not a flat seaside stroll.

How long is the walk and how many kilometres per day?
This section is 14.3 km (8.9 miles) and is designed as a single day, so you walk the full distance in one go, typically over about 5 hours. If you are starting a longer South West Coast Path journey, daily stages further along the trail usually range from 14 to 22 km depending on terrain, accommodation spacing and how much ascent each section packs in.

Where can I stay along the route?
Minehead at the start offers the most beds, with mid-range B&Bs around €95–€145 and budget guesthouses near €30–€55 per person. Porlock and Porlock Weir at the finish have inns, hotels and campsites, with pitched tents around €14–€26 and harbour-side inns €110–€170. Book ahead from June to September and on bank-holiday weekends, as availability is limited.

Do I need a permit or pay a fee to walk this trail?
No. The South West Coast Path is a public National Trail, free to walk every day of the year with no permit required. The only costs are optional: pay-and-display car parks of roughly €4–€8 per day in Minehead and Bossington, and voluntary National Trust donations at Selworthy and Bossington. Dogs are allowed but must be controlled around Exmoor's grazing livestock.