Section 26 of 218, King Charles III England Coast Path
East Quantoxhead to Minehead
12.7 miles (20.5 km). About 4½ hours, moderate.
Start: ST 134 441. Finish: SS 971 467. 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 331 m of climbing and 354 m of descent; highest point 83 m.
Getting there
The section starts at East Quantoxhead.
No bus stop or station within a kilometre of the start. Nearest: the bus stop at Hood Arms, 1.9 km away (Directions); Doniford Halt station (heritage railway), 5.2 km away (Directions).
Getting back
The section finishes at Minehead. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Station
- Minehead (heritage railway), 660 m from the finish. Directions SS 975 462
- Bus stops
- Bus stop, 440 m from the finish. Directions SS 969 471Minehead Railway Station (E), 490 m from the finish. Directions SS 974 463Minehead Railway Station (W), 490 m from the finish. Directions SS 974 463
Planning the King Charles III England Coast Path
- Planning the whole trail: nationaltrail.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 17%, grass 10%, gravel and tracks 9%, earth, rock and mud 6%; the rest (58%) isn't recorded.
About 11% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 2 gates, 3 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 69 m in a kilometre (1 in 14), starting 5.1 miles in.
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.