Kingswear to Dawlish

KC3 ECP Leg Number 10a

Overview
Date started:
6th October 2023
Date completed:
8th October 2023
Official miles:
35.0
Miles we actually walked:
36.2
Guest walkers
Ani The Dog
A 36 mile walk starting at Kingswear, just across the estuary from Dartmouth. The path follows the cliffs along Dartmouth harbour and then turns to head north through some remote areas before reaching the outskirts of Brixham, where we rounded Berry Head to finish at the harbour. Day 2 began with a steep climb out of Brixham, then some ups and downs through Churston Cove and Elberry Cove, before reaching the English Riviera at Paignton. It's flattish for while, except for a couple of bumps around Roundham and Hollicombe, then the climbing begins again out of Torquay around the headland and up to Babbacombe. Day 3 isn't any easier, with almost constant ups and downs through Maidencombe all the way to the Ness above Shaldon. The final section from Teignmouth to Dawlish is easier, and only the exertions of the previous days made the final little climb through Holcombe feel like it was chore. What a fabulous stretch of coast path!
Day by day
Day 1 – Kingswear to Brixham
6th October 2023
Miles 10.9 | Elevation gain 3079ft
Map of Day 1
Day 2 – Brixham to Babbacombe
7th October 2023
Miles 13.7 | Elevation gain 2365ft
Map of Day 2
Day 3 – Babbacombe to Dawlish
8th October 2023
Miles 11.6 | Elevation gain 2873ft
Map of Day 3
How we approached this leg
We walked this over three days, starting in Kingswear (just across the water from Dartmouth), walking to Brixham on day 1. On day 2 we walked from Brixham to Babbacombe and on day 3 we walked from Babbacombe to Dawlish.
Where we stayed
We stayed in Torquay, a classic English seaside town on the English Riviera, with plenty of hills!
Useful links
Harbour 16
We ate here on our first evening. Posh souvlaki, burgers, fish and cocktails as well!
The Guard House Cafe, Brixham
Amazing location on Berry Head with great views. Just about the first opportunity for a refreshment stop since Kingswear - mainly a cafe, but happily for us it does have a couple of local beers!
The Cider Press, Torquay
A lively locals pub, it does serve cider as well as some decent beer
Meat 59, Torquay
We had dinner here on our second evening - classy burgers from a small independent business
The Bay Coffee Company, Brixham
We had a coffee here before we started our second day's walk - right on the waterfront and outside seating
Divers Arms, Babbacombe
We had a well earned pint in their fab beer garden, at the end of a very hot day of walking around the English Riviera!
Small World Tapas, Torquay
We walked past this small independent restaurant the previous evening and it looked lively. Great food to share, it was our favourite spot of our visit.
The Proper Coffee Shop (takeaway pasties for lunch in Paignton)
Very decent pasties from here for lunch, halfway through day 2
Cafe Rio, Maidencombe
For some reason it was a mission to find a bacon roll or any kind of breakfast at Babbacombe early on a Sunday morning - too early for the Torquay golf club (they don't start bacon rolls til 9) and then nothing on the path until the lovely Cafe Rio, four miles in. very welcome bacon rolls and coffee, overlooking Maidencombe Beach.
The Cones, Teignmouth
Ice creams from a little cone shaped kiosk soon after we started walking up the promenade in Teignmouth
Offshore Bar, Torquay
Celebratory drink after getting off the bus back to Torquay, walking all done
Rockfish, Torquay
Posh fish and chips on our final night in Torquay
Bus & Train information
Coleton Fishacre
A National Trust property situated on the walk from Kingswear to Brixham, just after the 3 mile mark. The back entrance is right on the coast path - we didn't actually stop to visit but it looked worth a visit, and we'll go back someday.