The Salt Path: A Complete Guide to Walking Devon and Cornwall’s Iconic Coast

The highly anticipated Salt Path film went on general release on 30 May 2025, perfectly timed as part of National Walking Month. Based on Raynor Winn’s celebrated memoir of the same name, the film follows Raynor and her husband Moss as they embark on walking the salt path - a transformative 630-mile journey along the South West Coast Path from Somerset to Devon. In the wake of devastating news about Moss' health and losing their farm to homelessness, the couple find purpose and healing through this epic coastal adventure.

The film adaptation stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, and captures the untamed wildness of the region, the rawness of the couple’s emotion and the challenge of the walk. An uncredited star is the breathtaking landscape itself - the wild coasts, hidden coves, dramatic cliffs, and pristine beaches that provide stunning backdrops to the film's most stirring scenes.

From Minehead in Somerset to the cliffs of Dorset, via Padstow, Newquay, Holywell Bay, and St Ives in Cornwall, this spectacular coastal wilderness awaits your exploration. If you're wondering how to walk the south west coast path or want to discover the salt path route yourself, here's everything you need to know about experiencing these transformative landscapes with Ramble Worldwide.

It is worth remembering that Raynor and Moth Winn's epic walk was born out of desperation. They carry their trauma onto the Coast Path. While walking they slow down and start to look up, engaging with the majestic landscapes they encounter. During the difficult, emotional journey that follows, they find salvation, and are remade by the landscape.

The health benefits of walking are well documented. By striding out on the Salt Path or tackling a section of the South West Coast Path, walkers are able to slow down, connect with nature and the landscapes around them, and reduce stress. 

The trail's rugged terrain and coastal beauty provide a restorative environment, while just the act of walking itself promotes physical and mental clarity. As part of our core values, Ramble Worldwide are committed to creating connections between people and landscapes, providing access to the outdoors for everyone, and supporting conservation and preservation projects. All of our surplus profits are channelled back into the Ramble Worldwide Outdoor Trust, which provides grants to lots of organisations with a shared ethos and approach to helping people to enjoy the great outdoors.

We spoke to Mary Scott, a Ramble Worldwide walk leader, who shared some of her personal highlights from walking the salt path. From years spent exploring the area on foot while living in St Ives and guiding walking holidays in Cornwall, she was able to give us authentic highlights of the Salt Path walk.

"Braunton Burrows and Saunton Sands in North Devon offer windswept beauty that takes your breath away. The vast expanse of golden sand stretches endlessly, backed by rolling dunes.

The Valley of the Rocks presents a striking, rugged stretch of coastline where dramatic rock formations stand like ancient sentinels against the crashing waves below.

Clovelly Village captivates with its picturesque harbour and whitewashed houses tumbling down steep cobbled streets. 

The northern end of Gwithian near Godrevy Lighthouse offers spectacular views across the beautiful 'three mile beach' down to Hayle, with its distinctive slatey rocks and impressive sand dunes creating an ever-changing landscape.

Porthkidney Beach provides a wonderful mile of empty sandy beach backed by undulating dunes, with the St Ives branch line running past.

St Ives remains iconic for its harbour buzz, calling seagulls, delicious ice creams and little boats bobbing cheerfully in the protected bay.

All the coast from St Ives to Zennor proves fabulous for its towering cliffs, intense turquoise seas and delightful occasional sightings of curious seals basking on the rocks.

The immense granite boulders around Porthgwarra create the most striking landscape.

The Lizard offers wonderfully windswept and stunning vistas, while Kynance Cove is simply gorgeous with its serpentine cliffs and crystal-clear waters."

While the 630 miles of the South West Coast Path might appeal, you don’t have to walk the whole length of this transformative landscape to have an incredible experience. Several of our walking holidays in Devon and Cornwall let you sample the coast path, and you can immerse yourself in the landscape on both guided and self-guided holidays.

Begin by choosing sections that match your current fitness level and available time. The path's incredible flexibility means you can start with shorter, easier sections and gradually build to more challenging terrain as your confidence and stamina develop.

Essential preparation includes sturdy walking boots, weather-appropriate clothing, and detailed maps showing both the coastal path and inland escape routes. Local weather can change rapidly along the coast, so layers and waterproof gear prove essential companions.