Bus 162

Bus 606

From Kingsbridge to Hope Cove

From Salcombe to Kingsbridge

Map of route

This as a pleasant walk which takes in a traditional holiday village and the Town of Salcombe, some good beaches and cliff walks. The walking is steep and rocky but there are places to stop for a rest and just let the world go by !

Take the 162 bus from Kingsbridge Quay to Hope Cove and get off outside the Sun Bay Hotel at Outer Hope.

Spend some time exploring the village which has three excellent beaches as well as a beach shop and pub ( where you can have a leisurely lunch).When you are ready to leave find the old lifeboat station and then you have a choice of routes, either follow the path in front of the building, up the cliffs to Bolt Tail or alternatively follow the road out of Hope Cove and after 500 yards turn right into a small cluster of ancient Devon Cottages and walk through the middle which leads to a patch up onto the cliffs. (The first option adds about one mile to the walk but well worth it for the excellent views !)

Start along the cliffs away from Hope Cove and after a while you will come to the Port Light Hotel which specialises in lunches for walkers, the owner Sean Hassle is an excellent host. Continuing along the cliffs past the hotel you will reach a steep decent at Soar Mill Cove, there is a beautiful sandy cove which is quite exclusive and perfect for a special occasion, the owner Keith Makepeace is a very good friend of Tally Ho !

Continue along the coast path from Soar Mill and on towards Salcombe, you will pass an old Wartime Rador Station which was used to spot enemy aircraft below the Ariel's there are extensive bunkers built into the cliffs which used to be a top secret military facility.  Next to the radar station is Salcombe Airport which is frankly a field but still in occasional use.

As you reach Salcombe you drop down to a little bay called "Starehole Bay" and at low tide you can stop to rest in the golden sands. There was a famous wreck called Herzogan Cecile which was beached in the bay and you can still see the remains just under the surface at low tide. If you are interested in the wreck ask for information at the Tourist Information Office in Salcombe.

After Starehole Bay you climb the pathway around the rocks at Bolt Head, these offer spectacular views of the Harbour entrance with its crystal clear water and sand bar, which has been the graveyard of many vessels. As you come into the Harbour there is a National Trust garden on the left called Overbecks, this is stocked with Mediterranean and Tropical plants which thrive in the warm climate.  As you come into Salcombe you arrive at South Sands beach where there is a small cafe for an ice cream or tea. The cafe is the base for the South Sands sailing school and the beach is fantastic. You need to join the queue for the South Sands ferry, this involves climbing on a tractor with long legs which dives into the sea as the ferry approaches the driver Steve is very experienced so you do not need to worry !

The ferry takes you back to the pontoons in the centre of Salcombe where you can explore the clothes shops, pubs, restaurants and chandlers.  To get the bus back you need to find Shadycombe car park ( Just ask someone or call in at the TIC ) where the 606 service takes you back to Kingsbridge Quay for a well earned rest !