Lynton to Combe Martin: The highest point on the South West Coast Path

South West Coast Path: Lynton to Combe Martin

“Happiness isn't getting all you want, it's enjoying all you have”

After a luxurious sleep in the motorhome we were treated to a freshly cooked breakfast by Ian (after a wonderful BBQ the night before too!). Definitely gave us lots of energy to start the day.

Heading back to Lynton we dropped down slightly onto a poets walk (a footpath with lots of poems stapled to signs) which traversed the edge beneath Lynton before coming out on a lovely tarmaced path which lead to the valley of rocks. Beautiful views althought slightly drizzly, we quickly ditched the coats as it's hot work walking!

We dropped down a hill past a Christian camp on the right and an abbey into a valley with a beautiful tiny beach. There was a cute tea room (closed) but would recommend this little stretch for a day walk and would love to come back and go down to the beach!

We climbed steeply up through woods and followed a footpath around some fields before climbing again. We stopped for a rest break on a log, I sat down without my sit mat on a mossy log and gained a wet patch on my tan shorts which stayed all day (and Dan said it looked like I wet myself - brilliant!).

We traversed up above Woody Bay crossing waterfalls and saw a sign for New Zealand! More waterfalls and beautiful coastal views appeared with lots of ups and downs.

We rounded one corner and could see the other side about 1/4 mile straight in front, but we had to go down into the valley and up again to get to it. This was Heddons Mouth. We paused at the bottom by a bridge and stream for lunch and saw lots of day trippers and with the well laid path, I imagine this is a nice and popular day walk. Again we would love to come back and do a trip down to see the beach.

A steep climb out again and we were finally opposite where we had left what felt like hours ago! We walked walked and walked. Dropped into another valley by a stream. Had another stop! We knew Great Hangman, the highest point on the entire walk was next and we geared ourselves up with some fruit and nut mix. We made it to the top and what a view! We could see down to little hangman and Combe Martin.

We mooched the last few miles coming into Combe Martin with a pretty flower lined path and the smell of fish and chips leading the way. The thought of fish and chips brought us back into Combe Martin after pitching our tent and we enjoyed them watching the sunset over the harbour!

Sketch of the day: capturing the coast path view down into Combe Martin. A welcome sight with flower lined path & definitely an image I want to paint again in the future!

Today's Miles: 16.71 miles

Steps: 43,097 (Holly), 40,814 (Dan)

Overview

Would recommend the walk from Lynton to the Valley of the Rocks and down to the Tea Room (if it's open) and the beach there at Lee Abbey/Bay. Definitely want to come back to explore the beach.

It would also be a nice (but uphill!) walk to go from Combe Martin up to Little and Great Hangman!

It was a long day, with lots of elevation and ups and downs, but some amazing views and you traverse really high!

Places to revisit: Lee Bay beach, Heddons Mouth Beach, Walk up Little Hangman to the view point, back to Combe Martin (we actually really liked it!)