The South West Coast Path is England’s longest waymarked trail, running 630 miles around the entire south-western peninsula. You do not need to walk all of it to fall in love with it — some of its most rewarding miles wind right around Torbay, passing red sandstone cliffs, hidden coves, sub-tropical gardens and dramatic headlands teeming with wildlife. With a base in Paignton you can step onto the path within minutes and choose a walk to suit any mood, from a gentle seafront stroll to a proper clifftop hike. Here are the best walks around the bay.
Right from the doorstep
One of the joys of staying on Paignton seafront is that the coast path is, quite literally, across the road. From the bottom of Cranmore Lodge’s drive you can turn left towards Torquay or right towards Paignton harbour and beyond. There are benches and picnic areas at the viewpoints along the way, so you can walk as far as you like and turn back whenever you please. For a first taste, a gentle amble along the level promenade and cycle path gives glorious views over the bay with no effort at all.
Paignton to Brixham via Roundham Head and Goodrington
Heading south, the path leads to Paignton harbour and then climbs to Roundham Head, where sub-tropical cliff gardens blaze with colour and the views stretch right across Torbay. Continue on and you drop down to Goodrington Sands, then climb again along wooded cliffs towards Broadsands and Elberry Cove, a beautiful pebble cove backed by woodland. The full walk on to Brixham is a satisfying half-day outing, rewarded by the bustle of the harbour and a well-earned plate of fish and chips at the end. You can shorten it at any point and catch a bus or ferry back.
Berry Head: the bay’s wild crown
Just beyond Brixham lies Berry Head, a national nature reserve on a dramatic limestone headland that marks the southern tip of Torbay. The walk out to the head is breezy and exhilarating, with sheer cliffs dropping to clear blue water below. This is one of the finest wildlife-watching spots in the bay: huge colonies of guillemots and other seabirds nest on the cliffs in spring and early summer, and from the headland you can often spot seals, dolphins and, occasionally, basking sharks out in the deep water. There is a cafe and a visitor centre, and the old Napoleonic fortifications add historical interest. It is a genuinely special place.
North towards Torquay, Babbacombe and beyond
Turn the other way and the path leads north along the bay towards Torquay, passing the harbour and Torre Abbey Sands before reaching the quieter coves of Meadfoot and Anstey’s Cove, tucked beneath wooded cliffs. Further on, the path climbs to Babbacombe and Oddicombe, where the red cliffs are at their most spectacular and the historic cliff railway can carry you back up if your legs have had enough. This northern stretch is more strenuous in places but rewards you with some of the most dramatic scenery in the whole bay.
What to expect underfoot
The coast path around Torbay varies from flat, paved promenade to rougher, steeper cliff sections with steps and gradients. Much of it is well surfaced and clearly waymarked with the distinctive acorn symbol of the National Trail, but sturdy footwear is sensible for the cliff sections, and walking boots are best after wet weather. The seafront and cycle-path stretches are buggy- and wheelchair-friendly; the clifftop sections are not.
Wildlife and wild flowers
The Torbay coast is a designated UNESCO Global Geopark, prized for its geology, and the cliffs and grasslands are rich in wildlife. In spring and summer the clifftops are carpeted with wild flowers, butterflies abound, and the seabird colonies at Berry Head are at their busiest. Look out to sea and you may be rewarded with the sight of dolphins or seals; peer into the rock pools at low tide and you will find crabs, anemones and small fish. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Tips for walking the coast path
Take water, sun protection and a light waterproof, as the weather on the coast can change quickly. Plan to use the local buses and seasonal ferries, which mean you can walk one way and ride back — ideal for linear routes. Tell someone your plans for the longer or more remote stretches, keep dogs under control near cliff edges and livestock, and allow more time than the distance suggests, because the views will keep stopping you in your tracks. Start early in summer to enjoy the cooler air and quieter paths.
Easy walks for all abilities
Not every walk has to be a clifftop epic. For a gentle outing, the level promenade and coastal cycle path along the Paignton seafront give you sea air and views with no climbing at all, ideal for families, buggies and anyone who prefers an easy stroll. A short, rewarding walk leads from Paignton harbour up to the sub-tropical gardens of Roundham Head, with benches to pause at and grand views over the bay. For something a little longer but still manageable, the walk south to Goodrington and Broadsands takes in beaches and parks along the way, with plenty of places to stop for refreshment. You can tailor the distance to your group and turn back whenever you like.
Combining walks with buses and ferries
One of the joys of walking the coast path around Torbay is that you do not have to walk back the way you came. Regular buses link Paignton, Torquay and Brixham, and seasonal passenger ferries cross the bay and run up the River Dart, so you can walk one way along the cliffs and ride back in comfort — perfect for linear routes that would otherwise mean retracing your steps. This makes it easy to tackle a satisfying one-way walk in the morning and be back at the beach or a cafe by lunchtime, without the logistics of car shuttles.
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is the coast path around Torbay? It varies from flat, paved promenade to steeper cliff sections with steps. There is something for every ability, and you can choose your route accordingly.
Can I walk one way and get public transport back? Yes — buses link the three towns and seasonal ferries cross the bay and run up the Dart, so linear walks are easy to plan.
What is the best walk for wildlife? Berry Head, beyond Brixham, is a national nature reserve with seabird colonies and frequent sightings of seals and dolphins.
Is the seafront walk suitable for wheelchairs and buggies? The level promenade and cycle path along the Paignton seafront are well suited to wheelchairs and buggies; the clifftop sections are not.
The ideal walking base
For walkers, there is real value in staying somewhere you can step straight onto the trail. Cranmore Lodge sits right beside the coast path and cycle path, directly opposite Preston Sands, so you can set off on foot each morning in whichever direction takes your fancy. With free off-road parking, the more distant trailheads around the bay and on Dartmoor are easy to reach too, and after a good walk there is nothing better than coming home to a sea view and a hot shower. Explore more on our area guide.
Stay at Cranmore Lodge, Paignton
With the South West Coast Path on the doorstep, Cranmore Lodge is a superb base for a walking holiday in Torbay. View our apartments or check availability and book online.
To enquire, call +44 (0)1803 556278 or email enquiries@cranmorelodge.co.uk. Cranmore Lodge Holiday Apartments, 45 Marine Drive, Paignton TQ3 2NS.