Section 79 of 218, King Charles III England Coast Path
Shaldon to Exeter
7.8 miles (12.6 km). About 3 hours, moderate.
Start: SX 935 722. Finish: SX 976 818. 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 158 m of climbing and 158 m of descent; highest point 80 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Shaldon.
- Bus stops
- Bridge Road, 430 m from the start. Directions SX 931 723Bitton Park Road, 840 m from the start. Directions SX 935 730Bitton Park Flats, 860 m from the start. Directions SX 937 730
- Car parks
- Lower Point Car Park (pay), 400 m from the start. Directions SX 938 724Ness Car Park (pay), 440 m from the start. Directions SX 938 718Car park (pay), 510 m from the start. Directions SX 930 723
Getting back
The section finishes at Exeter. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Station
- Starcross, 30 m from the finish. Directions SX 977 818
- Bus stops
- Starcross Station, 20 m from the finish. Directions SX 976 818Bus stop, 170 m from the finish. Directions SX 976 817
Planning the King Charles III England Coast Path
- Planning the whole trail: nationaltrail.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 87%, earth, rock and mud 8%.
About 19% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 10 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 77 m in a kilometre (1 in 13), starting 1.8 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.