Section 15 of 218, King Charles III England Coast Path
Ainsdale to Hightown
9.1 miles (14.7 km). About 3 hours, moderate.
Start: SD 299 128. Finish: SD 296 035. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Warning: Diversion in place. Part of this route is closed or diverted for now. In Suffolk, the National Trust says the path across Dunwich Heath and its beach is closed after a wildfire, with no pedestrian access. In Somerset, the council says three short sections near the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier (Pawlett, Chilton Trinity and Express Park) are closed for construction works, and a long-term diversion is in place around Hinkley Point C. Source: somerset.gov.uk.
Up and down
About 86 m of climbing and 90 m of descent; highest point 15 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Ainsdale.
- Bus stops
- Shore Road/Pontins, 120 m from the start. Directions SD 300 127Shore Road/PONTINS, 160 m from the start. Directions SD 300 128SHORE RD/WESTMINSTER DR, 670 m from the start. Directions SD 305 125
- Car parks
- Car park (free), 150 m from the start. Directions SD 297 127Car park, 190 m from the start. Directions SD 297 126Ainsdale Beach Parking Area (pay), 200 m from the start. Directions SD 297 129
Getting back
The section finishes at Hightown. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Station
- Hightown, 420 m from the finish. Directions SD 300 037
- Bus stop
- ALT ROAD/HIGHTOWN STN, 350 m from the finish. Directions SD 299 036
Planning the King Charles III England Coast Path
- Planning the whole trail: nationaltrail.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: gravel and tracks 35%, earth, rock and mud 27%, paved or flagged 21%; the rest (17%) isn't recorded.
About 6% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 1 gate.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 8 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
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Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.