Climbs 1,167 m and descends 1,166 m, topping out at 191 m and dropping to 0 m. Measured along the mapped route.
What you walk on, by distance (from OpenStreetMap way types).
Four axes rated 1–5 — the single rating above is only the headline.
Through the famous Undercliff landslip nature reserve to Lyme Regis and the fossil cliffs past Charmouth, then over Golden Cap — the highest point on England's south coast — to Seatown.
Places on this leg with a full history, and free audio guides you can read or hear.
Seaton to Seatown is 14.4 miles (23.2 km). Allow about 8 h 6 min of walking, before stops.
Stage 46 climbs about 1,167 m and descends about 1,166 m, with a high point of about 191 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.
It is graded hard. Rated out of five: physical demand 4/5 (High), 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.
By distance the surface is footpath 82%, bridleway 1%, track 2%, road & lane 14%, other 1%. Percentages come from the mapped way types along the route.
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.
Water on this stage is moderate. 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.
Highlights on this leg are Undercliff NNR, Lyme Regis & The Cobb, Charmouth fossil coast, Golden Cap (191 m). It also passes 2 places we cover in depth: Golden Cap, Lyme Regis & The Cobb. There are 2 free audio guides between them.
Undercliff is long, enclosed, with no exits. Fossil cliffs are unstable. Lyme Regis to Charmouth: since 2022 the coast path crosses Lyme Regis Golf Club on a path marked with white stones, follows the edge of the course and comes down Old Lyme Hill into Charmouth. The map still shows the older route beside the A3052. Watch for golfers and golf balls. Closures and diversions change often: check the South West Coast Path Association's route changes page (southwestcoastpath.org.uk) before you set out, and always follow the signs on the ground.