See Google Drive link for report with pictures.
SWCP trip
After a failed attempt last summer, I was itching to get back on the path and try again. An injury stopped me in my tracks last time and unfortunately, this time my partner couldn't get the time off work to support me so I decided to attempt a solo self-supported completion. Although not ideal for attempting my fastest possible time, I decided that I was ready to go again; the SWCP has taken up so much time and energy over the last couple of years and I wanted to close that chapter and move on.
This time, I attempted the route in reverse, starting at South Haven Point and making my way to Minehead.
Day 1: 01.04.23
This was my travel day, I caught the train from Carlisle and spent most of the day sat on public transport. The ferry dropped me off at Shell Bay at 3.30pm and so, my journey commenced.
Official start time: 3.30pm
I ran the first 7 or so miles to Swanage, had some fish & chips and rested ready for my first big day.
7 miles
Day 2: 02.04.23
I had a 5am start today and did a couple of hours in the dark before sunrise. Lulworth ranges were open and it was lovely to revisit, I ran much of this section last year when visiting to check out the route. The sun disappeared as I approached Weymouth and I fought through hours of rain and wind. I topped up supplies at Aldi on the way into Portland, did the loop then called it a day. A few little diversions along the route today.
51 miles
Day 3:03.04.23
I started early from Portland. The mud on this section was truly awful, I was slipping around and making absolutely no progress at all. Once the mud had cleared I scored some hot sugared donuts (absolutely mind blowing) and made my way along lots of gently undulating cliffs. All was very pleasant until it became dark, the last miles felt like an absolute trudge and seemed to go on forever. Luckily the shop was still open in Sidmouth so I stocked up on supplies and made my way to the Airbnb – the lady wasn’t very enthusiastic about my muddy clothing and ordered me straight to the shower.
51 miles
Day 4: 04.04.23
Miles of urban running took up the majority of today. I decided the train may be easier than the Starcross ferry so ran as fast as I could to catch that for it to be cancelled due to industrial action. Got some more snacks and plodded my way to the ferry. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful, and the weather was a bit meh. I was just on time for the Shaldon ferry and raced down just in time for the last ferry to Dartmouth. I really enjoyed the journey over, it was windy and so dark but the town almost sparkled on the hill. Got there just before the takeaway closed – bonus.
55 miles
Day 5: 05.04.23
A slightly shorter day today at around 40 miles. Needed to navigate 2 ferries today. Set off about 6am. Beautiful views and even saw a seal. Topped up snacks at a village post office. Got over the ferry at Salcombe no problem and made my way round more stunning but rugged coastal scenery to the final crossing for today - unfortunately the ferry stopped running at 4pm so had to get a taxi round. Did the last 7 miles in the rain wearing pretty much all of my clothes.
41 miles
Day 6 06.04.23
Had to get a taxi round the River Erme as there is no ferry so crossing relies on the tide being out. From here I had a nice easy 9 miles to the Warren Point ferry, waited 15 minutes for the ferry then into Plymouth. I popped into GoOutdoors in Plymouth and bough some more socks – I’d planned to wash and rewear mine but the sandy mud was just destroying the merino. Miles of pavements then hopped on the Cremyll ferry on which I held on for dear life. 17 miles to Seaton! Today was very windy and wet.
43 miles
Day 7 07.04.23
Probably the only day that it didn’t rain. Had a really enjoyable day and managed to catch the Fowey ferry (the sea was VERY choppy). A nice stretch of coastline and an uneventful but pleasant day.
47 miles
Day 8 08.04.23
I was meant to catch three ferries today and had set off at about 4.30am to get there on time and in case I had to wait around for them etc. I got to the first ferry point and waited for a while next to the board, luckily a local came and told me the first ferry wouldn’t be running today because of the wind. I quickly checked my phone and would need to get two busses to get around to Falmouth – this took forever and was pretty much half a day of travelling. When I finally continued my run, I had to rush to get to the second ferry before 5pm, luckily I caught it! On the other side I had the Flushing crossing to navigate, I was far too late for the ferry and even the one mile route round, avoiding the crossing was completely flooded – I had no option but to wade around. On the other side, the coastal path was completely flooded for as far as I could see so I had to go around. I was glad to be passed this section but then the weather changed. I let my accommodation know that I wouldn’t make it and booked something else 10 miles closer – I’d had a day of it and needed to sleep. It was really late by the time I got in.
Miles 43 miles
Day 9 09.04.23
Today I needed to make up the 10 miles or so that I’d missed the previous day. The morning was very windy and I felt like I wasn’t making any progress at all. The last miles felt like an absolute trudge and seemed to go on forever. It was past 2.30am by the time I got into the Airbnb. I scoffed the scones, jam and cream that I'd been left for me, showered off layers of mud and crashed.
58 miles
Day 10 10.04.23
I started later than I had wanted to, the first half of the day was misty and drizzly and I couldn’t see much. I got some food in St Ives, some more socks and also a battery operated headtorch as I was struggling to find the time to charge all of my electrical items. I rushed to get through the sand dunes before dark – I got lost here on my last attempt and this just happened to be where I dropped out. I was relieved to be out and did the next miles in the dark. I plodded along happily in the knowledge that I felt so much stronger this time around. I’m not really sure what took so long today but the last miles were definitely slow with the weather and elevation. I didn’t get into my accommodation until 3am.
Miles 49
Day 11 11.04.23
I set off later than planned again, trying to keep the charge up on my watch / phone and head torch. I topped up my snacks at the Co-op and set off for the beach. I enjoyed the morning and found that the miles passed quickly. Luckily the tide was in for the Newquay crossing and I managed to use the water taxi from Rock to Padstow just before dark. The boat taxi driver gave me a free ride as he said he had walked much of the coastal path and so knew what it is like. He warned against the next section in the dark, I smiled politely and waved as I headed off.
Miles 45
Day 12 12.04.23
I had a pretty good sleep - probably too good and was panicked when I realised that I mustn't have set an alarm. I also hadn't charged my electrical items so sat there waiting for the essentials: head torch and phone. Finally, I set off mid-morning, this was one of my longest days distance wise and I was annoyed that I wasn't starting earlier but decided that it made sense to just keep going until the days work was done. It was beautifully sunny for the first time in the trip although I wasn't thrilled as I knew there weren't many water refill options. I got an ice cream and enjoyed the scenery - I felt like I was on holiday. Although I enjoyed this section it was painfully slow and the miles did not pass quickly - I knew this was a really tricky section too and hadn't really accounted for this in the schedule. There weren't many places to fill up water and restock. I'd relied on Bude but it was too late once I got there. As my energy dwindled I was slowed to a trudge and just got my head down through the night. I had a few 5 minutes trail naps on benches. By morning I was hungry, thirsty and pretty fed up. I was able to check into my accommodation at Clovelly for a shower and a nap.
Miles 57
Day 13 13.04.23
Clovelly was pretty, I raided their shop before I left, then pressed on, knowing it would be dark again soon. There was a coastal diversion from Croyde to Braunton and I had a pretty bad night after that, making some nav errors, fighting my way through overgrown paths and ending up running down roads and even through a flood - adding on more miles and zapping energy. I could tell that the lack of sleep was starting to catch up with me.
Miles 51
Day 14 14.04.23
Today I was meant to start from Ilfracombe but as I had arrived at my previous accomodation late, I pushed through overnight. I arrived at Ilfracombe about 8am, had a shower and a nap and then left at about 10.30am after fumbling about charging a few of my electrical items. I got supplies from the Co-op, all the usuals. I turned my back on a stunning sunset as I left Lynmouth and it felt very fitting for my final day on the path. I'd forgotten how undulating Coombe Matin to Lynmouth is and saw my estimated finish time slipping away as I wound my way up and down. The 10 miles through the woods to Porlock seemed to go on forever.
51.47 miles
Day 15 15.04.23
The cheap head torch that I'd picked up from Mountain Warehouse through the week wasn't doing a good job at all and I stumbled clumsily down the descent into Minehead. I knew this section but a combination of driving rain, bad lighting and tiredness meant I was stumbling around sloppily and was getting a bit confused with the nav.
The weather was awful, my friend Sarah met me at the finish and we took some pictures in the rain. I was relieved to finish but was somewhat disappointed that the last 20 or so miles had been so awful, it wasn't how I'd imagined finishing! That being said, I was overwhelmed with the journey and still needed some time to process it all. I feel so lucky to have been able to even attempt such an epic challenge and will forever remember the experience.
42.9 miles