Challenging – Severe
2 April 2025
Hartland Quay to Morwenstow is one of the wildest and most demanding sections of the South West Coast Path. The trail carves across folded cliffs and plunges into five steep valleys before climbing back out again—offering constant drama, geological marvels, and awe-inspiring isolation.
Points of Interest: Hartland Quay to Morwenstow
Here’s what to look out for along the way:
Hartland Quay
A rugged starting point, perched on slate cliffs and backed by dramatic coastal geology. Once a busy port, now a hotel and museum.
St Catherine’s Tor & Hanging Valley
The path drops behind this striking tor at the edge of a dissected valley—an unusual and rare geological feature.
Speke’s Mill Mouth
The first major descent and climb. Home to one of England’s most dramatic coastal waterfalls, falling 17 metres into a secluded cove.
Swansford Valley
A less exposed climb inland, winding through bracken and heather before returning to open clifftops near Milford Common.
Embury Beacon
A grassy Iron Age hillfort site offering expansive sea views in all directions—followed by the second major descent.
Welcombe Mouth
The third major descent. A remote, rocky cove with waterfalls and dramatic folded rock formations visible from the beach.
Ronald Duncan’s Writing Hut
A small wooden shelter perched above the cliffs—once the creative retreat of the poet Ronald Duncan.
Marsland Mouth
The fourth descent, marking the Devon–Cornwall border. Cross a narrow bridge before climbing steeply out again.
Litter Mouth
A short but steep dip into a slate-pebbled cove—setting up the final climb to Cornakey Cliff.
Yeolmouth
The fifth and final descent. A spring cascades into the sea in this quiet, fern-filled valley with rare plant life.
Vicarage Cliff & Morwenstow
A steep final drop and climb brings you inland to Morwenstow, home of poet-priest Robert Hawker, a medieval church, and a well-earned pint at the Bush Inn.
Logistics
| Sleep Dog Friendly Accommodation | The Old Smithy Inn, Welcombe |
| Eat & Drink | The Old Smithy Inn, Welcombe |
| Travel Transport back to Hartland Quay | BPS Taxis with Rod (07584 318308) https://bpstaxis.co.uk/ |
There is no real public transport alternative for this journey from Welcombe. If you are staying elsewhere and need transport at the end of the walk, the 217 bus goes from Morwenstow by the Bush Inn (confusingly called Crosstown) to Bude, The Strand at 16:26