The Bude to Crackington Haven walk follows the South West Coast Path for approximately 16.2km. It is a one way route rather than a circular walk, maintained as part of the National Trails network.
The walk starts gently, following the grassy cliff path behind the beaches from Bude towards Widemouth Bay. Do not let the easy opening fool you. The path soon turns rough and narrow, dropping into a series of steep valleys, including Scrade, one of the deepest and steepest valleys anywhere on the Cornwall section of the coast path. From the high cliff tops you get wide, open views across the Atlantic, with the pull of the sea and wind a constant reminder of the crumbling ground beneath you.
A few things worth watching for along the way. At Compass Point stands the octagonal Storm Tower, built in the 1830s and rebuilt in the 1880s in the style of the Temple of the Winds in Athens. It is a strange, elegant landmark to find perched above a Cornish clifftop. From the cliffs at Phillip’s Point Nature Reserve, keep an eye out for grey seals below and, on a clear day, the inland tors of Dartmoor across the water. The cliffs here are covered in sea campion and pink thrift.
At Millook, the cliffs reveal folded, contorted rock strata considered nationally important, and best appreciated from the beach below rather than the path above. The steep stream valleys along this stretch host their own microclimates, with Chipman Valley known locally as Butterfly Valley for the red admirals, pearl bordered fritillaries, ringlets and meadow browns that gather there. Further along, Dizzard Wood’s stunted sessile oaks, twisted by relentless Atlantic winds, are thought to be a remnant of the ancient woodland that once covered the whole country, and the clean air here supports rare lichens and mosses of international importance.
The walk ends at Crackington Haven, an enclosed bay with striking coastal geology and heathland worth resting on the beach to take in properly.
If the full distance feels like a lot for one day, regular bus services run between Bude and Widemouth Bay, so you can walk one direction and catch a bus back. Those wanting more can continue on from Crackington Haven to Boscastle, adding a further 6.7 miles.
Parking is available at Bude, Widemouth Bay, and Crackington Haven itself.
Take A Walk Around Bude
Weather
Plan The Walk
Places along this walk
Places to stay
- Upton Lodge
- Beach House Hotel
- Brocksmoor Hotel
- The Brendon Arms
- Atlantic View
- Falcon
- Elements Hotel
- Upton Cross
- The Shieling
- An Mor
- Premier Inn
- Adventure International
Beaches
- Summerleaze Beach, Bude Passes nearby
Where to park
- Burden Trust Car Park
- The Coombe Barton Inn
Pubs
- The Coombe Barton Inn
- The Bay View Inn
- Widemouth Manor
- The Brendon Arms
- Brendon Arms
- The Carriers Inn
- The Globe
Cafes
- Haven Cafe
- The Castle
- Olive Tree
- Scrummies
- Waves
- Tian Di
- The Barge
- The Lock Gates Tea room
- Cabin Cafe
- Widemouth Bay Cafe
- Silver River
- La Bocca
Attractions
- The Old Forge
- Pencannow Point
- The Castle Heritage Centre
- Bude Tennis Club
- The Triangle
- Bude Haven Mini Golf
Shops
- Landsdowne Bakery
- The Haven Beach shop
- North Coast Wine
- Budeful
- Bude RNLI Shop
- Banfords Curious
- Daisy Crafts
- Atlantic Gift Shop
- The Costume Room
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