Lynton to Ilfracombe Coastal Walk

18.8 miles (30.3 km)

The coastal walk from Lynton to Ilfracombe is a strenuous journey of just under 19 miles that traverses some of the highest and most dramatic cliffs in England.
After leaving the Valley of the Rocks, the route passes through Woody Bay, where ancient woodlands meet the sea and the path winds through dense trees before emerging onto open clifftops.... The landscape becomes increasingly rugged as you approach the Heddon Valley, requiring a steep descent to sea level to cross the river before a significant climb back up toward Holdstone Down.
This section of the South West Coast Path is dominated by the massive presence of The Hangman Hills. You will first summit Great Hangman, which stands at 1,044 feet (318 metres) as the highest point on the entire national trail, offering panoramic views across the Bristol Channel to South Wales. From this peak, the path drops down to Little Hangman before a long, steady descent into the village of Combe Martin, known for having one of the longest village streets in the country.
The final stretch toward Ilfracombe continues past Watermouth Castle and the sheltered Watermouth Harbour. The terrain here consists of smaller, frequent climbs and descents around coastal headlands and hidden coves like Hele Bay. As you reach the outskirts of Ilfracombe, the path leads you past the Hillsborough nature reserve and eventually down to the historic harbour, where the Verity statue marks the entrance to the town.