Hartland Quay to Speke's Mill Waterfall Walk
1.1 miles (1.7 km)This walk takes you along the South West Coast Path from Hartland Quay to Speke's Mill Waterfall on the North Devon coast.
It's just over a mile to the waterfall from the car park at Hartland Quay. The trail leads you south, passing along the cliff tops and the lovely Speke's Mill Beach.
Along the way there's some spectacular cliff top views and wonderful rock formations to see.
You can continue your walking on the Clovelly to Hartland Quay Walk.
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Nearby Routes
Hartland Quay South West Coast Path Clovelly to Hartland Quay Walk Morwenstow
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Torridge : Speke's Mill Waterfall. Speke's Mill Mouth is a dramatic coastal spot in North Devon where the Milford Water plunges over a high cliff to reach the Atlantic Ocean. The waterfall is the most striking feature of the area, dropping a total of 48 metres in a series of three distinct steps. The first and highest step falls roughly 15 to 18 metres into a hidden pool that is popular for wild swimming before the water continues its descent onto the rocky shore below. This "hanging valley" occurs because the coastal rocks are so hard that the river has been unable to carve a channel down to sea level as the cliffs themselves eroded back.
Speke's Mill Beach. The beach itself is wild and predominantly rocky, characterised by long "fingers" of sandstone reefs that stretch out into the surf. At low tide, sandy patches and rock pools are revealed, providing a quiet space for exploration away from more commercial tourist destinations. While it is not a traditional beach for sunbathing or swimming due to the powerful Atlantic swells and jagged rocks, it is a well-known spot for experienced surfers who come for its challenging reef break.
Speke's Mill Mouth. The mouth of the valley is flanked by towering cliffs composed of jagged, folded rock strata that are prized by geologists as evidence of massive tectonic forces from 300 million years ago. Along the South West Coast Path, the approach from nearby Hartland Quay offers spectacular views of St Catherine’s Tor and the rugged coastline. Historically, this remote spot was an active site for local farmers who used donkeys to carry sand and gravel up steep paths from the beach to be used as fertiliser, and remnants of the stone "sand bins" used for storage can still be seen in the valley.
Hartland Quay. Hartland Quay is renowned for its dramatic "chevron-folded" cliffs and jagged reefs that reveal 300 million years of geological history. Originally a busy 16th-century trading port, the stone pier was eventually reclaimed by the Atlantic's ferocity in 1887, leaving behind a wild landscape of shipwrecks and smuggling lore now chronicled in the local museum. Today, the former customs buildings serve as a hotel and the Wreckers Retreat bar, providing a rugged gateway for walkers.