26 July 2025 · South West Coast Path

Hartland Quay
to Bude

Approximately 22 miles along a dramatic coastline, from the rocky shores of Hartland Quay to an evening finish in Bude.

About 22 milesLinear coastal hike
11am–8pmNine hours elapsed, including any stops
Devon to CornwallHartland Quay to Bude

Hike at a glance

Distance
About 22 miles
Time
9 hours, including stops
Parking
Pay-and-display parking in Bude; took the bus to Hartland to start the walk.
Difficulty
Very hard — About 22 miles with repeated steep valleys, long flights of steps and uneven coastal ground; nine hours on this outing.
Tea/Pub stop
Not recorded
Map planning
Open OS Maps

John’s recommendations to follow.

Estimated grades based on the full route in clear, dry conditions: Easy — mostly level, straightforward paths; Moderate — some climbs or uneven ground; Hard — sustained effort, steep or rough ground, or remote navigation; Very hard — exceptional distance or repeated steep climbs. Weather, mud, tides and visibility can make a walk much harder.

Details from this walk’s report. Times reflect this outing; check parking and access before travelling.

A full day on the coast

Cliffs, valleys and coastal miles

I set off from Hartland Quay at 11am on Saturday 26 July 2025, following the South West Coast Path towards Bude. With approximately 22 miles ahead, this was a full day’s hike along the coast.

The photographs capture the variety of the route: broad sea views, jagged rocks, a waterfall and paths winding through steep green valleys. Long flights of steps show that the coastal scenery came with plenty of climbing—the Coast Path’s idea of a level walk clearly needs reviewing.

A welcome sign at Marsland Cliff marked the crossing into Cornwall. Further along, satellite dishes provided a striking contrast to the cliffs, grassland and open sea.

I arrived in Bude at 8pm, nine hours after setting off. This report brings together the photographs and route map from that long summer day between Devon and Cornwall.

The route

Hartland Quay to Bude

The route follows the coast south from Hartland Quay towards Bude. The distance was approximately 22 miles.

Walk details

Date and distance

26 July 2025 · Approximately 22 miles.

Start and finish

Hartland Quay at 11am; Bude at 8pm.

Terrain

Coastal paths, uneven ground, steep valleys and flights of steps, as shown in the photographs.

Conditions pictured

A mixture of cloud, blue sky and sunshine. The photographs show conditions at individual points along the walk.

Along the way

A day in photographs

Rocky shores, green valleys and wide coastal views. Select a photograph to view it larger.

John beside the rocky coast at Hartland Quay.
John beside the rocky coast at Hartland Quay.
Clifftop views along the rugged coastline.
Clifftop views along the rugged coastline.
A waterfall tumbling between the rocks.
A waterfall tumbling between the rocks.
The path winding through a steep green valley.
The path winding through a steep green valley.
A long flight of steps climbing the hillside.
A long flight of steps climbing the hillside.
Striking rock formations beside the coastal path.
Striking rock formations beside the coastal path.
The Welcome to Cornwall sign at Marsland Cliff.
The Welcome to Cornwall sign at Marsland Cliff.
John overlooking the cliffs and sea.
John overlooking the cliffs and sea.
Satellite dishes visible from the coastal route.
Satellite dishes visible from the coastal route.

Location & getting there

Hartland Quay, Devon, to Bude, Cornwall

Parking & travel: Pay-and-display parking in Bude; took the bus to Hartland to start the walk.

Find Hartland Quay on a map

This map locates the place named above; use the report’s route links to follow the walk.