| Day | Route | Mileage | Approx time |
| 38 | Salcombe to Beesands | 12.3 | 6 hours |
| 39 | Beesands to Dartmouth | 12.3 | 5.5 hours |
| 40 | Dartmouth to Brixham | 13.2 | 7 hours |
| 41 | Brixham to Torquay | 8.3 | 3.5 hours |
This was our first attempt at walking the coast path in January. We had previously avoided the cold winter months due to the short days. But, with our sights set on completing the path by the end of the year, we needed to step up our pace. It did not phase us to set off a little earlier each day and we managed to cover the pre-arranged miles fairly easily.
A strange gloominess did descend at any point from 2:30 in the afternoon, so the shades and tones of the scenery painted a greyer scene than at other times of year. Seeing the path in different guises, though, added to its appeal. As always, we were offered the now customary rugged and exposed rocky cliffs, strenuous climbs, interspersed with descents to remote coves. There were some particularly stunning views from Prawle Point, the most southerly point in Devon. After Start Point, where the path heads northwards, we passed the village of Hallsands. Here, in 1917, the houses, which had been built in a hazardous position between the sea and the cliffs, were destroyed by a storm and the village had to be abandoned. Ruins of the buildings can be seen from the Coast Path. Only one solitary house remained, which is now a holiday home.
The long shingle beach, known as Slapton Sands, is a 1.5 mile narrow flat stretch which was a relief after the demanding climbs to the cliff tops and dips into the bays. Inland was Slapton Ley, the largest natural freshwater lake in the south west. Walking such a long, flat and straight stretch did have us hankering after undulating cliff tops once again. Passing more rock stacks, sheltered beaches and woodland tracks we arrived at the charming and historic port of Dartmouth.
The next leg passed through some of the famous towns of Devon, which is often referred to as the English Riviera: Brixham, Paignton and Torquay. There is a strenuous section from Dartmouth to Sharkham Point, which dips down into several valleys and climbs back up again with stunning views all around. We enjoyed exploring the fort on Berry Head and looking out over the bay to Torquay in the distance. After Brixham there are some lovely woodland sections, glimpses of amazing rock formations and a walk through the beautiful and secluded Churston Cove before arriving at the busier holiday resort of Paignton. The final stretch from Paignton to Torquay is mainly along the promenade with the usual seaside amusements and activities available to family holiday makers.
| Drive to Torquay and park near station |
| Train Torquay to Totnes (Great Western Railway) – 30 minutes |
| Taxi Totnes to Salcombe – 40 minutes |
| Walk from Salcombe to Torquay |
| Salcombe | Fortescue Inn, Union Street, Salcombe, Devon,TQ8 8BZ |
| Beesands | The Cricket Inn, Beesands, Kingsbridge, TQ7 2EN |
| Dartmouth | Dartmouth Boutique B&B, 7 Church Road, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 9HQ |
| Brixham | Smuggler’s Haunt, Church Hill East, Brixham, TQ5 8HH |
