Bolt Head – South Sands Beach loop from Salcombe

Hiking trails & Routes

Bolt Head – South Sands Beach loop from Salcombe

Moderate

4.8

(22)

221

hikers

Bolt Head – South Sands Beach loop from Salcombe

02:47

9.39km

280m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 3, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

South Devon National Landscape

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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971 m

Salcombe Castle (Fort Charles)

Highlight • Historical Site

Salcombe Castle, or Fort Charles, was built by Henry VIII to defend against French and Spanish invasion. The ruins stand on a rocky outcrop at North Sands and can be explored with a little bit of scrambling.

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2.97 km

Sharp Tor Coastal Path

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

The way here is not difficult. From Salcombe take the ferry to Souths Sands and from there it is only a mile or two and you are on a lovely …

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3.71 km

View of Starehole Bay

Highlight • Natural

From this point along the South West Coast Path, you are treated to breathtaking views of Starehole Bay. This little bay in South Devon sits at the mouth of the Kingsbridge Estuary, where it opens into the English Channel.

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4.21 km

Bolt Head

Highlight • Natural Monument

Bolt Head is the headland south of Salcombe. It's owned and managed by the National Trust and makes a great section of the coast path.

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5.70 km

Sharp Tor Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

Well worth a visit for the views

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6.15 km

Salcombe Lifeboat Disaster Memorial

Highlight • Monument

Visit the Lifeboat Museum in town too.

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7.36 km

South Sands Beach

Highlight • Natural Monument

There are certainly many highlights here, the special being the South Sands Ferry. There is no dock at the South Sand. A kind of tractor drives into the water there, where the ferry then docks. Very picturesque!

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8.05 km

The Winking Prawn Café

Highlight • Cafe

The Winking Prawn is an attractive, family-run beach cafe and a real Salcombe institution. The cafe has developed a reputation for delicious lunches since it opened in 1997. It's renowned …

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