Stage 15 of 52 · South West Coast Path

Padstow to Porthcothan

Padstow → Porthcothan
13.4 mi
Distance
21.6 km
Metric
7 h 12 min
Walking time
Moderate
Difficulty
529 m
Ascent
528 m
Descent
74 m
Highest point
Coastal
Terrain

Elevation profile

Climbs 529 m and descends 528 m, topping out at 74 m and dropping to 3 m. Measured along the mapped route.

0 km5 km10 km15 km20 km 74 m

Underfoot

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

Footpath 95% · 20.7 kmTrack 1% · 0.1 kmRoad & lane 4% · 0.8 km

Difficulty breakdown

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

Terrain grade · SAC T2Some steep, rough or uneven ground
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
Moderate — 5 mapped water points on this stage
Refill points along the route
Shade
Minimal
Open cliff-top walking has little cover
Terrain grade · SAC T2
Moderate
Mountain hiking — some steep, rough or uneven ground
⬇ Download this stage (GPX) ⬇ Whole route (GPX)

Across the Camel to Stepper Point's daymark and along the surf beaches past Trevone and Constantine Bay.

Highlights

Know before you go

Planning guides for this stage

The Best Sections of the South West Coast Path — by Walker TypeCamping on the South West Coast Path: Wild Camping Law and CampsitesHow Much the South West Coast Path Costs: Camping to B&BSouth West Coast Path for Beginners: Where to Start and How Fit to BeSouth West Coast Path Itineraries: 3 Days, One Week, Two WeeksAll South West Coast Path guides

Questions about this stage

How long is the walk from Padstow to Porthcothan?

Padstow to Porthcothan is 13.4 miles (21.6 km). Allow about 7 h 12 min of walking, before stops.

How much climbing is there between Padstow and Porthcothan?

Stage 15 climbs about 529 m and descends about 528 m, with a high point of about 74 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 Padstow to Porthcothan?

It is graded moderate. 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 T2 — some steep, rough or uneven ground.

What is the path like underfoot on Padstow to Porthcothan?

By distance the surface is footpath 95%, track 1%, road & lane 4%. Percentages come from the mapped way types along the route.

When is the best time to walk Padstow to Porthcothan?

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 Padstow to Porthcothan?

Water on this stage is moderate. We map 5 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 Padstow and Porthcothan?

Highlights on this leg are Stepper Point daymark, Trevone Bay, Constantine Bay.

What should I know before walking Padstow to Porthcothan?

Exposed headlands.