Stage 6 of 52 · South West Coast Path

Braunton to Instow

Braunton → Instow
11.5 mi
Distance
18.5 km
Metric
5 h 54 min
Walking time
Easy
Difficulty
59 m
Ascent
57 m
Descent
11 m
Highest point
Mixed
Terrain

Elevation profile

Climbs 59 m and descends 57 m, topping out at 11 m and dropping to 0 m. Measured along the mapped route.

0 km5 km10 km15 km 11 m

Underfoot

What you walk on, by distance (from OpenStreetMap way types).

Footpath 66% · 11.6 kmRoad & lane 1% · 0.2 kmOther 33% · 5.7 km

Difficulty breakdown

Four axes rated 1–5 — the single rating above is only the headline.

Terrain grade · SAC T1Mostly easy walking on good paths
Physical3/5 Moderate
Fitness — distance & ascent
Terrain3/5 Moderate
Underfoot — rock, steps, scrambling
Navigation2/5 Modest
Route-finding — waymarking, open ground
Remoteness2/5 Modest
Exposure — escape routes, signal

Conditions & season

Best months
March to October
When this leg is usually at its best
Water
Abundant — 6 mapped water points on this stage
Refill points along the route
Shade
Minimal
Open cliff-top walking has little cover
Terrain grade · SAC T1
Easy
Hiking — mostly well-made path, falling is largely unlikely
⬇ Download this stage (GPX) ⬇ Whole route (GPX)

A flat, easy estuary stretch along the Tarka Trail beside the Taw to Instow.

Highlights

Know before you go

Planning guides for this stage

South West Coast Path for Beginners: Where to Start and How Fit to BeThe Hardest Sections of the South West Coast Path, Ranked by AscentAll South West Coast Path guides

Questions about this stage

How long is the walk from Braunton to Instow?

Braunton to Instow is 11.5 miles (18.5 km). Allow about 5 h 54 min of walking, before stops.

How much climbing is there between Braunton and Instow?

Stage 6 climbs about 59 m and descends about 57 m, with a high point of about 11 m. On the South West Coast Path the ascent, not the distance, is what decides how long a day takes — the route repeatedly drops to sea level and climbs straight back out.

How hard is Braunton to Instow?

It is graded easy. Rated out of five: physical demand 3/5 (Moderate), terrain 3/5 (Moderate), navigation 2/5 (Modest), remoteness 2/5 (Modest). On the SAC hiking scale it is T1 — mostly well-made path, falling is largely unlikely.

What is the path like underfoot on Braunton to Instow?

By distance the surface is footpath 66%, road & lane 1%, other 33%. Percentages come from the mapped way types along the route.

When is the best time to walk Braunton to Instow?

March to October is the usual window for this leg. Outside it, daylight is short, some estuary ferries stop running and cliff-top wind and rain make an exposed route much harder work.

Is there drinking water on Braunton to Instow?

Water on this stage is abundant. We map 6 refill points on the leg — mostly pubs, cafés and taps in the villages the path passes through. Shade is minimal: this is open cliff-top walking, so carry more than you think in summer.

What is there to see between Braunton and Instow?

Highlights on this leg are Tarka Trail, Taw estuary birdlife, Instow sands.

What should I know before walking Braunton to Instow?

Level tarmac estuary walking.