Babbacombe to Dawlish
(Our overall day number 45 - Part of The KC3 ECP Leg 10a - Kingswear to Dawlish)Babbacombe to Dawlish
8th October 2023 | Miles 11.6 | Elevation gain 2873ft
An 11.6 mile walk along Babbcombe Bay, across the ferry to Teignmouth and then on to finish at Dawlish. A fabulous walk, with a number of steep ascents and descents over the first seven miles, and particularly strenuous between Watcombe Head, past Maidencombe and as far as Labrador Bay. The section out of Teignmouth up towards Holcombe can't be walked during very high tides and the alternative inland route should be followed
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Getting there and back
We took the 22 bus from Torquay to Babbacombe, and then the 22 bus back from Dawlish to Torquay. We wanted to get the train back as it's renowned as one of the most scenic trips in England, but there were train issues. Think we'll do a better job of the train trip on our return to Dawlish!
Weather conditions
Lovely sunny day, early morning mists over Babbacombe Bay made it look magical, if a little cold!
Walking difficulty
Moderate - but the first seven miles are tough - a rollercoaster of ups and downs until you reach Teignmouth. From there it's fairly easy, just one final sharp ascent at Holcombe to negotiate.
The story of our day in photos
.jpg "Fabulous Sunday morning at Babbacombe")
Fabulous Sunday morning at Babbacombe
.jpg "More Babbacombe")
More Babbacombe
.jpg "And even more")
And even more
.jpg "Heading out from Babbacombe")
Heading out from Babbacombe
.jpg "Looking back at Babbacombe, from above Oddicombe Beach")
Looking back at Babbacombe, from above Oddicombe Beach
.jpg "Looking back from Shag Cliff, past Long Quarry Point, Black Head, Hope's Nose, and The Ore Stone")
Looking back from Shag Cliff, past Long Quarry Point, Black Head, Hope's Nose, and The Ore Stone
.jpg "We had a little detour down to Watcombe Beach in search of a bacon sandwich, but left empty handed!")
We had a little detour down to Watcombe Beach in search of a bacon sandwich, but left empty handed!
.jpg "We did eventually locate a bacon sandwich at Cafe Rio, at Maidencombe Beach")
We did eventually locate a bacon sandwich at Cafe Rio, at Maidencombe Beach
.jpg "Avoid Wednesday at all costs")
Avoid Wednesday at all costs
.jpg "Looking back from above Blackaller's Cove")
Looking back from above Blackaller's Cove
.jpg "The steep ups kept coming")
The steep ups kept coming
.jpg "Then some downs")
Then some downs
.jpg "Keep up")
Keep up
.jpg "Low level fog over Babbacombe Bay, even at midday")
Low level fog over Babbacombe Bay, even at midday
.jpg "Doesn't really tell you that it's 2M of ups and downs")
Doesn't really tell you that it's 2M of ups and downs
.jpg "Joining the A379 for a bit - above Labrador Bay")
Joining the A379 for a bit - above Labrador Bay
.jpg "Teignmouth and Holcombe in the distance ...")
Teignmouth and Holcombe in the distance ...
.jpg "... but first the headland in the foreground - The Ness, which is an important part for us ...")
... but first the headland in the foreground - The Ness, which is an important part for us ...
.jpg "As it's where we reached 500 miles completed! Little selfie and a celebratory snack of tangfastics and iced gems to celebrate 😊")
As it's where we reached 500 miles completed! Little selfie and a celebratory snack of tangfastics and iced gems to celebrate 😊
.jpg "Heading towards Shaldon to get the ferry across the River Teign")
Heading towards Shaldon to get the ferry across the River Teign
.jpg "Looking back at The Ness")
Looking back at The Ness
.jpg "The prom at Teignmouth")
The prom at Teignmouth
.jpg "Looking back towards Teignmouth from close to Holcombe")
Looking back towards Teignmouth from close to Holcombe
.jpg "Reaching Holcombe")
Reaching Holcombe
.jpg "... where the coast path goes down and under the railway, as long as the tide isn't too high")
... where the coast path goes down and under the railway, as long as the tide isn't too high
.jpg "Last little climb coming up")
Last little climb coming up
.jpg "Looking down towards Dawlish, and Exmouth in the distance")
Looking down towards Dawlish, and Exmouth in the distance
.jpg "Coming down into Dawlish")
Coming down into Dawlish
.jpg "Arty, but not very informative, picture")
Arty, but not very informative, picture
.jpg "Back in Torquay after getting the bus back - this trip complete")
Back in Torquay after getting the bus back - this trip complete
Useful links
