The Sierra Club Angeles Chapter leads Travel Adventures that show you nature's best places around the world. This trip, Hiking England's South West Coast Path: Section One, runs from June 5 to 17.
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| On the South West Coast Path National Trail in England, looking back toward Ulfred Point. Credit: Jaap Gaasenbeek |
As I hiked up the path, I could hear the sound of breaking waves on the other side of the ridge. What was it like, so many years ago, to be a lighthouse keeper guarding the English shore from smugglers and other unsavory folks?
As I crested the ridge, I was relieved to see only sparkling sea, a delightful trail, and our private van, waiting to take me to evening dinner, bed and breakfast, maybe even a pint at the pub. Yes, I was in heaven, hiking along England’s famous South West Coast Path National Trail.
The path’s special nature is reflected in the number of official designations it has collected over the years. As it threads its way around the coastline, the Coast Path passes through a number of National Nature Reserves and Heritage Coasts, five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, two World Heritage Sites, a UNESCO designated Biosphere reserve and a Geopark, as well as one National Park.
The path originated as a route for the Coastguard to walk from lighthouse to lighthouse patrolling for smugglers. The Coastguard needed to be able to look down into every bay and cove: as a result, the path closely hugs the coast providing excellent views but rarely the most direct path between two points. The trail rises and falls with the topography, entering and exiting every river mouth, and is considered to be one of the more challenging trails. (The really big challenge would be to try and beat the current record for running the trail set last May: 10 days, 15 hours and 18 minutes.)
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| One of the villages along the way, Clovelly Harbour. Credit: Seraina Meier of Switzerland. |
Hike the first 100 miles of this spectacular national trail and discover its beauty and its hidden gems on a Sierra Club trip next June. It's the first in a series of six, with the goal of covering the trail's 630 miles. Whether you join all six trips or pick and choose your favorite sections, you’ll be assured of a feast for your eyes, a sense of fulfillment within your soul and a thoroughly good workout for the rest of you.
On the first trip next June, participants will experience a multitude of habitats – woodlands, steep cliff tops, fields and wooded combes or valleys. The Exmoor coast hosts a rich variety of fauna and flora – some unique to the area such as white beam trees, related to the rowan or mountain ash. Then it's off on cliff paths, descending into the charming twin towns of Lynmouth and Lynton named “Little Switzerland” by the Victorians.
On the route, you'll pass historic Tunnel Beaches built by the Welsh, and also see the historic lime kilns and lighthouses new and old. Pending tide conditions, the group may be able to walk the entire length of Saunton Sands.
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| The South Coast West Path. Credit: Lorraine Berry of Barnstaple |
After a few days of tidal flats, some small hills and a ferry ride, the group ends up in Westward Ho! – the only place name in England with an exclamation mark and named after Charles Kingsley’s 1855 novel of the same title. Participants follow an abandoned railway line and then return to the path to pass by two natural arches and arrive at the end of our first trip in the series.
During the walk, you'll stay first in the village of Selworthy at a 17th century country house located in the heart of Exmoor National Park in southwest England. Our private van will take hikers to the trailhead and then collect us at the end of the day at the other end, taking us back to our lodgings to enjoy a pint or relax with friends. The second place to stay takes participants to the old market town of Barnstaple on the River Taw, enjoying local color and hospitality.
Leaders Deirdre Butler and Kath Giel are no strangers to hiking in England. Deirdre a Brit by birth, grew up hiking and horseback riding in southern England so she brings a very personal perspective to the trip. Kath has hiked on the Cleveland Way, in the Lake District, and on the Cumbria Way, and has led several trips for the Angeles Chapter.
Join us on this great adventure on one of the world’s best walks!
Kath Giel is a Sierra Club leader who will be leading South West Coast Path trip. All are welcome to sign up; click here for details.