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Minehead to Porlock Weir Coastal Walk: Route Guide + Tips

ByZara Aitken

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Planning to walk from Minehead to Porlock Weir? Whether you’re staying in Minehead and are looking for beautiful local walks, or you’re planning to walk the South West Coast Path in stages, you’re in the right place.

This stretch sets the tone for what’s to come, with steady climbs, vast sea views, and a real sense of stepping into the wild edges of Exmoor National Park.

It’s an incredible walk, but it does take a bit of planning. If you’ve never done this section before, you’ll probably need to know where to park, how to get back from Porlock Weir to Minehead, what facilities you’ll find along the way and where to stay if this is part of a longer trip.

I’ve worked in Minehead for four years and have walked this route three times, including staying overnight in Porlock and using the local buses and taxis myself. I know how this section feels underfoot and how to manage the logistics.

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to plan your Minehead to Porlock Weir coastal walk with confidence, from route details and transport options to practical tips that will help you enjoy the hike.

A wide sandy beach in Minehead, England, with a curved stone seawall running alongside a paved walkway. The beach extends toward the calm blue sea, with a few patches of wet sand visible. In the distance, a green hill rises behind a cluster of white and pastel-colored buildings, marking the edge of the coastal town. The sky is bright blue with a few wispy clouds.

Minehead to Porlock Walk Summary

This section of the South West Coast Path stretches from the busy seaside resort of Minehead to the quaint, picturesque village of Porlock Weir. The route itself is fairly undulating if you take the new ‘official’ route that hugs the coastline between the top of North Hill and Bossington.

The official distance calculator on the South West Coast Path website says this route is 8.9 miles in total. The Minehead to Porlock coastal walk takes roughly 5 hours at a good pace, with a few short breaks.

Useful Info for the Minehead to Porlock Coastal Walk

Start/Finish – Minehead to Porlock Weir

Distance – 8.9 miles (14.3 km)

Time Required – 4-5 hours

Parking – Quay West Car Park, Minehead, TA24 5UP

Ascent – 300-400m

Public Transport – Bus service no. 10 from Porlock Weir to Minehead, or Exmoor Coaster bus from Porlock (not Porlock Weir) to Minehead (only available in summer).

Facilities – Shops & restaurants in Minehead, pub and cafe in Porlock Weir and tea room in Bossington. Toilets in Minehead and Bossington.

Difficulty – 3/5 – Moderate walk with 3 long uphill stretches to start and a very steep descent down to Bossington.

A large metal sculpture of a map in hands on Minehead Esplanade marking the start of the South West Coast Path.

Minehead to Porlock Walk Guide

Starting from Quay West Car Park in Minehead, I followed the coast to the left, keeping the sea on my right-hand side, to find the start of the South West Coast Path. Although if you’re obsessive about these things, the ‘official’ start of the 630-mile trail is a little further along Minehead’s Esplanade, where you’ll see a ‘metal hands’ monument marking the start of the South West Coast Path.

I continued walking with the sea on my right until I reached the end of the esplanade and a grassy park area (Culvercliffe) with a sign marking 629.75 miles to Poole. I then followed the path through the park and towards a wooded area, and started the ascent uphill out of Minehead.

Large green space at Minehead's Culvercliff with play equipment and a quiet walkway beneath trees. A man walks on the footpath next to luscious green hedges on a sunny day,
Minehead Culvercliffe

The path begins to climb steeply through the trees and eventually reaches a small road. The trail levels out here as you pass a National Trust sign indicating Greenaleigh Point.

Continue along the lane, keeping the sea on your right, until you reach a house ahead of you. Take the coast path trail on the left-hand side as it climbs again. The sea should now be on your left as you climb through the trees.

National Trust sign at Greenaleigh Point overlooking a sea view on the South West Coast Path from Minehead to Porlock Weir. Behind the sign, a green field slopes down towards the beach and ocean.

Press on through the woodland – this is the steepest part of the hill. You’ll pass through a couple of gates before reaching the top of the hill and following the trail to the right.

If you keep taking the higher path each time the trail divides, you’ll eventually come out at the top of the cliff and should spot a car park. If you want to avoid climbing the gruelling hill out of Minehead, you could park here and enjoy the flat walk over the cliffs towards Porlock.

Zara's husband, Jamie, wearing a red backpack and black shorts walks along a narrow dirt trail on a hillside between Minehead and Porlock. The path is lined with low shrubs and dry grass, overlooking a vast expanse of sea below. The sky is bright blue with scattered white clouds.

This is where the trail gets really interesting. For the next 3-4 miles, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the vast rolling hills of Exmoor National Park as they tumble into the ocean. This next section of the trail is fairly flat and easy to walk, as the path is well-marked and sign-posted. Before long, you’ll pass through a gate with a National Trust sign marking the start of Holnicote Estate.

A short distance along this stretch, the path divides into two route options – one which directs you to Bossington along a bridleway, and another that directs you to Hurlstone Point.

The first time I walked this route, I followed the ‘official’ coast path route, which at that time led straight on over the Exmoor hills and down into Bossington along the bridleway.

  • Exmoor ponies graze on a bright sunny day on the South West Coast Path in Somerset. This walk can be found between Minehead and Porlock Weir.
  • A wooden post on a dirt track points towards the South West Coast Path to Hurlstone Point and Bossington on a bright, sunny day.

The second time I walked this route, the ‘official’ coast path route had been moved to follow the ‘rugged’ coastal path to Hurlstone Point, hugging the cliffline.

Both routes are easy to follow and well sign-posted, whichever way you decide to go. Either way, look out for grazing Exmoor Ponies.

If you’ve got the time and energy, the rugged option would deliver even better views and would be somewhat more of a challenge. The new ‘official’ route that hugs the coastline takes longer to complete, so make sure to leave at least 5 hours to complete this hike in total from leaving Minehead.

Zara, wearing a black backpack and purple jacket, walks through a wooden gate on a dirt trail. The path is lined with dense gorse bushes covered in bright yellow flowers. The trail continues straight ahead under a clear blue sky.
  • Beautiful bluebells line a grassy path on the Minehead to Porlock Weir coastal walk on a bright, clear sunny day. In the distance, you can see the coastline meeting the deep blue ocean.
  • A rugged dirt trail leads between rolling Exmoor hills on the Minehead to Porlock Weir coastal walk on a bright, clear, sunny day.
A rugged rocky trail leads down a steep hillside towards the ocean. In the distance, you can see a view out to sea from the South West Coast Path in Somerset on the Minehead to Porlock Weir coastal walk.

Both paths converge at the same point – the top of the steep hill that leads down to Bossington. This hill is extremely steep, and you will need to take your time. I found that walking poles were very useful when walking downhill.

Once you reach the bottom of the hill, follow the path to the left and through a wooded area. You’ll follow a beautiful river for a short while before heading over a bridge to the right-hand side to reach the National Trust car park in Bossington. Here, you’ll find some public toilets and a very quaint teashop in Bossington village called Kitnors.

Zara's husband Jamie, wearing a red backpack and black hiking gear, stands by a small stream in Bossington. The dirt trail curves gently uphill, surrounded by tall trees with green foliage. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

The coast path continues from the back of the car park, past Kitnors Tearoom and on to the road, where you’ll need to follow it around to the right-hand side, past some very pretty cottages. From Bossington to Porlock Weir, the South West Coast Path is very well sign-posted, although we noticed the distances on the signposts were incorrect in places, and this was a bit confusing.

At some points, the signposts informed us we were 1.5 miles from Porlock Weir, only for the next one to tell us we were 3 miles from Porlock Weir, which made us worry that we might miss our bus back to Minehead. Looking at Google Maps, it seems Bossington is 2.5 miles from Porlock Weir if you follow the coast path, so you should probably ignore the signs unless they’ve been updated since.

A traditional thatched-roof cottage in Bossington, built from red stone with small leaded windows and a tall brick chimney. A low stone wall with large rounded rocks borders the lush front garden filled with green shrubs and flowering plants. A narrow dirt path runs alongside the cottage, leading toward a distant hill under a clear blue sky.

Eventually, the coast path will bring you onto Porlock Marsh and will follow the contours of the marsh until you reach Porlock Weir itself. Obviously, being a marsh, this section of the path will likely be very waterlogged in the winter months, and you may also need to check tide times.

It was fairly wet in places when we visited in April, and we hadn’t had any rain for at least a couple of weeks, so make sure you have good-quality waterproof hiking boots, or you’ll likely end up with wet feet!

Along this stretch of the Minehead to Porlock walk, you’ll also pass a memorial commemorating the crew of a plane that crash-landed on the marsh in World War 2.

A vast expanse of Porlock Marsh with dry grass and scattered dead trees stretching toward the horizon. To the left, a weathered stone building with a slate roof stands at the edge of the marsh. In the background, rolling hills covered in greenery rise under a clear blue sky.

From Bossington to Porlock Weir, as you cross the marshes, you’ll pass eerie dead trees, as well as a derelict barn. Follow the route until you turn to the right and eventually end up on a pebbly beach.

Cross the beach and keep walking until you reach some steep steps on the left-hand side. These steps bring you out onto the road, where you’ll need to turn right and follow the road for a few hundred yards into Porlock Weir.

A pebble beach at Porlock Weir stretches along the coastline, with wooden groynes partially buried in the stones. The calm sea meets the horizon, with a few distant boats visible. Rolling hills covered in grass and trees rise in the background under a blue sky with wispy clouds.
Jamie, wearing a red backpack, walks along a rocky beach at Porlock Weir. Wooden groynes stand in the pebbles, stretching toward the calm sea. In the background, rolling hills covered in trees rise behind a few scattered houses.

Facilities and Amenities

This route is fairly well-served in terms of the amenities and facilities available. As Minehead is a large seaside resort, you’ll find plenty of shops, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants. There are free public toilets at the Quay West Car Park in Minehead.

In Bossington, you’ll find a lovely tearoom and public toilets located in the Porlock Marsh car park. And finally, in Porlock Weir, there is a very old and beautiful pub called The Ship Inn, as well as a cafe at The Harbour Gallery. Porlock Weir also has a couple of hotels and a decent-sized car park.

  • A dirt path leads into the distance with a grassy verge on the left and the ocean on the right. Views like this can be found on the South West Coast Path between Minehead and Porlock.
  • Blue and black walking poles rest on a lilac backpack on a bright sunny day. In the distance you can see grassy hills and the coastline tumbling into the ocean on the Minehead to Porlock walk.

Minehead Accommodation

If you’re looking for accommodation in Minehead or Porlock, we have you covered…

Northfield Hotel – I have stayed here myself and have always received excellent service. The rooms are basic but comfortable, and there is a fantastic swimming pool!

The Beach Hotel – While I haven’t stayed here myself, I have eaten in the cafe/restaurant multiple times, and the food has always been great. This hotel is on the esplanade, opposite the beach and situated at the start of the high street, so restaurants and amenities are very close by.

Minehead Camping

Minehead is a fairly large seaside town, so camping options are limited. You can stay on North Hill at the start of the trail at Moor Wood Campsite. Alternatively, wild camping locations on the coast path between Minehead and Porlock would be your best option. This isn’t technically allowed, but it is mostly tolerated as long as you are discreet and follow the ‘leave no trace’ principle.

Porlock Weir Accommodation

Porlock Weir Hotel – Highly-rated hotel on the luxury side in Porlock Weir.

The Lorna Doone Hotel – the cheapest hotel I could find in the area, but this is in Porlock, 1.6 miles from Porlock Weir

Porlock Camping

Sparkhayes – Listed as the only campsite in Porlock. £15 per adult, per night. I have stayed here myself, and it was a lovely campsite. Only a short walk into the town of Porlock in a lovely setting, surrounded by countryside and rolling hills.

The Ship Inn in Porlock Weir, a whitewashed thatched-roof pub with black maritime decorations on its exterior walls. Wooden picnic tables with patrons sitting outside line the front, with a red canopy tent and potted plants adding color. Behind the pub, a wooded hillside rises under a clear blue sky.

Buses from Porlock to Minehead

Getting from Porlock Weir back to Minehead was fairly straightforward. You can catch the number 10 bus service that leaves from Porlock Weir, opposite The Ship Inn. It takes about 20-30 minutes to get back to Minehead from Porlock Weir by bus.

However, there are only a few buses a day, and the bus service only takes cash. You can find the bus timetables here. The service does not run on Sundays or bank/public holidays.

Read more information about the bus service from Porlock Weir to Minehead.

You can also take the Exmoor Coaster bus from Porlock, but this is 1.6 miles from Porlock Weir (about a 35-40 minute walk), so factor that into your travel time. In the summer, the Exmoor Coaster bus runs every 30 minutes, but the buses do not run in the winter, so check the Exmoor Coaster bus timetable before you travel.

Small tents and cars parked in a green field surrounded by the hills of Exmoor Nationl Park on a partly cloudy day. The campsite is called Sparkhayes and can be found in Porlock.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Minehead to Porlock Weir walk?

The Minehead to Porlock coastal walk on the South West Coast Path is 8.9 miles long, or 14.3 km.

How difficult is this section of the South West Coast Path?

The Minehead to Porlock walk is of moderate difficulty, due to steep climbs out of Minehead and a very steep descent into Bossington, as well as the length of the trail.

How long does it take to walk from Minehead to Porlock Weir?

You should allow at least 5 hours to walk the South West Coast Path from Minehead to Porlock Weir. This will allow for a moderate pace with a few short breaks along the way.

Is there parking in Minehead and Porlock Weir?

Minehead has several large car parks, as well as plenty of on-street parking. You can park for free on Blenheim Road, or park in the Station Car Park, Quay West Car Park (closest to the start of the walk), or pay and display parking on the Esplanade.

Is the Minehead to Porlock Weir walk suitable for beginners?

The Minehead to Porlock Weir walk is suitable for beginners, but you should be ready for a steep climb out of Minehead and a length of almost 9 miles.

When is the best time of year to walk this section of the coast path?

You can walk the South West Coast Path at any time of the year, but the best time to walk from Minehead to Porlock is between April and October, when you’ll have the chance of better weather and lighter evenings.

A hiker wearing a purple jacket and black backpack walks along a dirt path on the South West Coast Path, overlooking the sea and rolling hills in the distance. The sky is clear and blue, with soft green and brown terrain stretching ahead. The text overlay describes the hike from Minehead to Porlock as an easy UK hiking trail.
A hiker with a purple jacket and a backpack walks along a wide dirt trail with sweeping coastal views of the South West Coast Path. The background showcases rolling hills, blue waters, and a bright sky. The text overlay highlights this section as a full hiking guide for the Minehead to Porlock route.
A collage of four images showcases different views along the South West Coast Path between Minehead and Porlock. Hikers in colorful outdoor gear walk along rugged coastal trails, passing through scenic landscapes with cliffs, hills, and sea views. The text overlay promotes this hiking route as a scenic and accessible trek in the UK.

Are you planning to do the Minehead to Porlock walk? I’d love to hear about your plans. You can get in touch with me via the contact form if you have any questions.

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Zara Aitken is a UK-based travel blogger and the founder of Passport for Living. While sharing her travel stories, hiking guides and travel inspiration online since 2015, she has travelled to over 25 countries and is still counting. She's on a mission to help others travel solo on a budget, promoting adventure travel and authentic cultural experiences along the way.

20 Comments

  2. I like the way that route works. A 4-5 hour walk is a great way to spend a part of the weekend. I’m pretty amazed by the 200 miles you got in during the year, if you did it at this pace, that’s half the year’s Sundays spent on the route. That’s good, even though it may look small in miles.

    1. Hiking is definitely a great way to spend a weekend. Yes, we did spend a lot of time hiking, although we did some pretty large days at 20-25 miles per day, so soon racked up the miles. This hike was a short one for us.

  3. I have actually always wanted to visit the South West! It sounds like such an interesting place, and your photos are all super pretty! One day…

    1. There’s so much to do here. It’s a great place to live! All this beauty on my doorstep.

      1. Looks like a fun hike! I love coastal walks. And I sympathize with confusing trail signs LOL!

  4. This looks amazing! A few years ago we did a road trip in this area and promised ourselves we’d go back for some hiking. I will save your post for that trip – thanks!

    1. There are some beautiful sections of this coast path. The scenery is ever-changing too!

    1. We had great weather! Hoping to do the next section from Porlock Weir to Lynmouth on Saturday so holdng out for dry weather again!

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