Description:
This scenic route visits viewpoints at Snapes Point and Sharp Tor. It goes through Salcombe and follows the coast path to pass beaches at North Sands and South Sands. Parts of this route follows narrow country lanes which are not devoid of traffic so care needs to be taken.
Walk Grade:
Moderate
Distance:
11.1 miles / 17.8 km
Total Ascent:
2212 feet / 674 metres
Time:
4 / 5 hours
Parking:
This walk starts from the Bonfire Hill Car Park on the outskirts of Salcombe on the A381 (TQ8 8NA) (Grid Ref: SX733392). This is a pay and display car park.
Walk Route:
Leave the car park and turn right beside the A361 heading away from Salcombe on the footpath besides the road heading back towards the neighbouring village of Malborough. After 700 metres cross the road and join a bridleway on the right (Grid Ref: SX727395). Stay with this bridleway for 550 metres to reach a narrow country lane, turn right. After 150 metres the lane reaches Horsecombe Cross (Grid Ref: SX728401). Continue straight over towards Lincombe and Lower Batson.
After 700 metres at a junction follow the road towards Lincombe. In a further 300 metres keep right at a fork in the lane at Lincombe Cross (Grid Ref: SX737402). After 150 metres the lane ends at the Snapes Point National Trust Car Park.
Go through a gate to the left, first on a gravel path. On reaching a field follow the path downhill heading east towards the estuary at Tosnos Point. After passing trees turn south, follow the footpath signs to Snapes Point. The path is easy to follow and after passing Snapes Point continues above Batson Creek. Just after passing above Snapes Manor take a footpath on the left (Grid Ref: SX742399).
The path skirts around Snape Manor and leads downhill to join a lane. Turn right and follow this lane for 800 metres to reach Lower Batson. In the village turn left at a telephone box and benches on a green at the head of the creek (Grid Ref: SX735397). Then after 60 metres turn left on the footpath going alongside Batson Creek and the road into Salcombe.
Stay with the road to pass Batson Creek boatyard and then turn left into Island Street. At a junction turn right following a sign to the Town Centre and almost immediately take a path to the right with another sign directing you to the Town Centre. In the Town join Fore Street and follow this through the town. The route has now joined the South West Coastal Path (which is along the B3204 road). At a junction turn left into Cliff Road (Grid Ref: SX738386).
Follow Cliff Road for 1km to reach North Sands. The road now descends steeply to reach North Sands. Pass the beach at North Sands and stay with Cliff Road following a signpost to South Sands and Overbeck’s. The road, climbs uphill, before quickly descending to South Sands. The road climbs steeply to a junction, continue straight on following signs to Overbeck’s.
The route continues along a private road to pass the entrance to Overbeck’s House, after passing the entrance continue on to reach a junction of footpaths (Grid Ref: SX729374), here turn right to leave the Coastal Path.
Follow this path to a junction of paths and turn left (Grid Ref: SX727373). Follow the path through the top of Fir Wood and out along the edge of fields towards Sharp Tor. Stay with the path to head west to a junction of paths above Starehole Bottom (Grid Ref: SX723368). Now head inland on a footpath towards East Soar Farm.
After passing the farm continue on the track to the site of the former RAF Bolt Head airbase which is now a private airfield. On reaching the East Sour National Trust Car Park turn right (Grid Ref: SX713376) and follow the road for 400 metres to a junction, here take the footpath on the right leading downhill to reach Higher Rew Caravan Park. Follow the footpath through the caravans to reach the main entrance and then turn right along a narrow lane.
The lane heads downhill and after 900 metres reaches Combe. At a junction turn right and then after 50 metres take a track on the left (Grid Ref: SX718384). The track climbs steeply and after 350 metres reaches a minor road. Cross and join a footpath heading north-east across fields to reach a bridleway (Grid Ref: SX722389).
Turn right and then after 180 metres at a junction of tracks turn left and head downhill for 450 metres to reach a junction of tracks (Grid Ref: SX726386). Turn left towards Hangar Mill. After passing properties turn left onto a bridleway leading uphill past Motherhill Farm and then on to join the A381 at Batson Cross. Here turn right to reach the entrance and starting point at Bonfire Hill car park.
Toilets:
There are public toilets in 2 Gould Road, Salcombe; North Sands Beach.
Toilets are available in the pubs on this route during opening hours.
Refreshments:
Salcombe: numerous pubs, cafes and shops.
North sands: Winking Prawn Cafe
South Sands: Bo’s Beach Cafe, South Sands Hotel & Restaurant
East Soar Farm: Walkers Hut Cafe
To download GPX file and print a map click “Learn More” below:
To follow this walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps OL20 South Devon
Additional Information:
A narrative of this walk with pictures, historical information and points of interest can be viewed on my associated Two Dogs and an Awning website.
© Walking Moonraker (2023)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.