Salcombe to Beesands

(Our overall day number 82 - Part of The KC3 ECP Leg 9 - Plymouth to Dartmouth)

Salcombe to Beesands

22nd May 2025 | Miles 11.7 | Elevation gain 2249ft

Just under 12 miles starting at the ferry to East Portlemouth, to cross the lovely harbour at Salcombe, then along the golden sandy beach to Mill Bay to join the path as it climbs up above Sunny Cove and then on out to Gara Rock, up on the cliffs and then down past various sandy coves. The section approaching Prawle Point has a few cliff edges to negotiate. From Prawle Point, the path drops onto a low shelf of flattish land between the cliffs and the sea, and this is easier walking for around four miles on the approach to Start Point. The biggest climb of the day is up towards Start Point, reaching 381 ft. At the crest of the slope near Start Point, the sweep of Start Bay is visible for the first time, and the views extend up past Dartmouth. It's a fairly easy couple of miles down towards Hall Sands, with just a little up and down from there to reach Beesands.
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Getting there and back
Public transport is challenging in this part of South Devon, so we did the entire section between Plymouth and Dartmouth point to point. We caught the train from Paddington to Plymouth, walked to Wembury, Challaborough, Salcombe, Beesands and finally Dartmouth. We caught the bus to Totnes and then the train back to Paddington. We used the very reliable Luggage Transfers to move our bags each day, and carried day packs. We stayed in accommodation listed in the SWCPA official guide (you get a free copy if you join the association).
Weather conditions
Wonderful sunny weather - blue skies with a light breeze - perfect walking conditions
Walking difficulty
Moderate - the first section to Prawle Point is the trickiest with continuous ups and down, never reaching higher than 200 ft but on some rough cliff edge paths at times. The climb up to Start Point is long and reaches the highest point of the day, but never seemed too steep.

The story of our day in photos

The Ferry Inn
Getting off the ferry at East Portlemouth
Gorgeous Salcombe across the water
Golden sands of Mill Bay
Looking back towards Sunny Cove, and Salcombe in the distance
Looking across to South Sands and North Sands
Sharpitor, with Bolt Head peeping out behind
Prawle Point
The path to Prawle Point is rough at times, and close the edge in some sections
Very lucky - blue skies and a fabulous day for walking
Coming down towards Gara Rock Beach
Gara Rock Beach with Prawle Point in the distance
Oops, they don't look keen on moving off the path
Fortunately there was a way round, and the cows were very docile!
What's up?
Looking down at Gara Rock Beach
More edges!
Baby caterpillars!
Eerie!
Start Point lighthouse
Biggest climb of the day up towards Start Point
Selfie to mark reaching 900 miles of England Coast Path!
Looking down towards Hallsands, and Beesands past the next hump!
Dolphins! Pod of three travelling up the coast.
Heading down to Beesands to finish the day
Useful links
The Boatyard@ The Beershack, Plymouth
Outside bar overlooking the water, near Plymouth Hoe - fell in here for a drink just after arrival from the train down. It's part of The Corinthian next door (but separate entrance off the street)
The Waterfront, Plymouth
Venue for dinner on our first night - the mussels were a highlight, and the fish and chips were great
The Three Crowns, Plymouth
Down by the marina, we had a post-dinner visit here on a very busy Saturday night, good buzz, absolutely heaving
Mount Batten Bar, Plymouth
Stopped for an opportune drink here around lunchtime on day one after 7 miles - well positioned for that purpose!
Eddystone Inn, Heybrook Bay
Made a planned stop here for Sunday lunch on day one - no options to eat in Wembury on a Sunday evening at the time of our walk. Glad we did, as this might be one of the best pub Sunday lunch we've ever had , and we ate it in the sun, outside, overlooking the sea!
The Odd Wheel, Wembury
Had a couple of pints here on our first evening - nice place, though it was up yet another hill from our B&B, which is already up from the path!
The School House, Mothecombe
Great place to stop while waiting for tide to be right at The Erme. Best mushroom pizza ever consumed.
Fryer Tucks, Challaborough
We had take away fish and chips, but you can sit in. Very welcoming, fab fish and chips, and even had a pint of Salcombe IPA in the sun overlooking the bay while waiting for food to be cooked!
Bigbury Baykery
On the way out of Challaborough, we came across a van with a lady offering cinnamon buns! We couldn't resist - her sourdough bread looked amazing as well!
Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove
We had a drink and great lunch on the balcony overlooking Hope Cove - everyone was very welcoming! Make the effort to walk the extra few steps up the hill.
Bo's Beach Cafe, South Sands, Salcombe
Very welcome little bar right on the beach after our long stretch from Hope Cove to Salcombe. Had originally planned to stop at the South Sands Hotel but it looked much too posh for our sweaty tired needs - not sure they'd have welcomed us anyway and we'd take Bo's anytime!
The Fortescue Inn, Salcombe
Collapsed into here for a tired dinner at the end of our long third day - normal pub food, some other places looked more upmarket, but this suited us given our situation
The Kings Arms, Salcombe
Popped in here for a pint after dinner on our first night - this is the one that was more upmarket! The restaurant looked great, we enjoyed our pint.
The Pasty Shack, Salcombe
Had a take away pasty for lunch on our day off - very tasty!
The Ferry Inn, Salcombe
Had a couple of lunchtime drinks here on our day off in Salcombe (also celebrating a birthday so that's our excuse) - a few old memories, as Salcombe was a childhood holiday destination
Cranches Sweet Shop, Salcombe
It's been there for years and years, try the fudge and the bonbons!
dickandwills Waterside Grill and Bar, Salcombe
Very nice restaurant for a birthday celebration. Started with cocktails overlooking the harbour and then inside for lovely food, and more wine
Victoria Inn, Salcombe
More drinks after dinner on our day off, to complete the collection of Salcombe pubs.
The Bake House, Salcombe
Purchased pasties and sausage rolls here, morning of our fourth day walking. Not sure these beat the pasties from the previous day, but The Bake House was open at the time we wanted to buy pasties, so that made it perfect!!
The Cricket Inn, Beesands
Perfect place in Beesands! Right on the path, and we completed the full set - a couple of beers outside as we arrived (complete with dolphin sighting!), then checked into to very nice accommodation, had a lovely dinner, a comfortable sleep, and the best full english of the trip the following morning. One stop for everything and no reason to go anywhere else!!
Blackpool Sands Cafe
Despite the name, this is a lovely beach on the path from Beesands to Dartmouth. Only stopped for a diet coke, but the food options looked attractive.
Dartmouth Castle Tea Rooms
Opportunistic ice cream stop, just a mile or so from the end of the walk, and they stamped our little book!
Embankment Bistro, Dartmouth
Celebrated completing the walk here with a couple of beers in the sun on arrival in Dartmouth
Bar 1620, Dartmouth
Had pre-dinner cocktails here on our last night
Bayards Cove Inn, Dartmouth
Location for our final night dinner - couldn't resist the fish and chips
The Crab, Dartmouth
Post dinner drink here on our final night - after all we could sleep on the train on the way home!
The Yealm Ferry
Link to the Yealm Ferry site, with timetables and prices
SWCPA info on ferries and estuaries
Full guide to what to expect and how to cross
How to cross The Erme
South Devon National Landscape video on crossing the Erme estuary
Avon to Bantham Ferry
Timetable and prices for getting across The Avon near Bigbury
NCI Prawle Point
Ate our pasties here on day 4. Popped in to speak to the coastguard, who was very helpful in describing the rest of our route, and who kindly stamped our little book!