Devon

East Soar to Bolt Head Walk

A walker in a U-shaped valley, with craggy cliff rocks up to the left, walks towards a sea with headland in the distance — Discover the jagged rocks and open sea views from Bolt Head | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

From shipwrecks to wildlife-spotting, discover the dramatic coast around Salcombe on this circular walk via the South West Coast Path. After the jagged rocks at Bolt Head, wander down to the impossibly blue waters of Starehole Bay, then return past Overbeck's, with views of the Salcombe Estuary.

Near to

East Soar

Start point

East Soar National Trust car park, grid ref: SX713375

Please be aware of livestock

Be aware that you may encounter livestock, which can include sheep and cattle, on this route. Please follow the guidance of onsite signage and take any dog waste away with you.

Address
East Soar National Trust car park, near Malborough, Devon, TQ7 3DR
Directions via Google Maps
On foot
The long distance walking trail, the South West Coast Path, travels along the coast from Plymouth to Salcombe. It passes countryside in our care at Thurlestone, Hope Cove, Bolt Head, Bolberry Down, Bolt Tail and East Soar. The path continues on the east side of the estuary, going from East Portlemouth to Torcross via Prawle Point.
South West Coast Path
By train
Totnes train station 20 miles
Plymouth train station 25 miles
By bus
Regular bus services from Totnes train station and Plymouth city centre to Kingsbridge. From Kingsbridge there are buses to Salcombe.
By ferry
Daily ferry services from Salcombe to East Portlemouth (all year) and to South Milton Sands (April to October); ferry service, Kingsbridge to Salcombe (May-September).
Cycling
National Cycle Network Route 2 travels from Totnes to East Portlemouth on the east side of the estuary.
Sustrans
By road
The A379 from Plymouth and the A381 from Totnes both meet at Kingsbridge. The A381 continues south to Salcombe where you can follow signs to Soar. Satnav: TQ7 3DR.
Dogs
Dogs welcome but please keep them on a lead. Livestock graze the route and there are steep, unfenced cliff edges near the coast path.
Car park
Pay and display car park (National Trust members free).
Toilet
For Walkers' Hut customers at East Soar Outdoor Experience, East Soar Farm.
Café
Walkers' Hut at East Soar Outdoor Experience, East Soar Farm, for hot and cold drinks, cakes, cream teas and ice cream.
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
East Soar National Trust car park, grid ref: SX713375
Stage 1
Leave your car at East Soar car park, just past Soar hamlet. Go to the car park entrance and turn left down the lane. Walk down the lane and turn right, through the gateway towards Middle Soar, following the public footpath signs. Follow the track, past the buildings of Middle Soar, to reach the warren wall where you’ll see the Omega sign. Continue straight ahead towards the coast path. Turn left at the signpost, towards Bolt Head.
Stage 2
Continue along the coast path, through gates and take the fork to the right (signposted Bolt Head and Salcombe). Go through another gate to arrive at Bolt Head, with its dramatic jagged rocks. The views from the headland stretch from Cornwall's Dodman Point in the west to Prawle Point in the east.
Bolt Head
The cliffs are dotted with the remains of field boundaries and animal enclosures, some dating to the Bronze Age. Today, Dartmoor ponies graze on the cliffs, keeping the blackthorn and gorse in check. Look out for grey bush crickets and their great green cousins. Fulmars, gulls, cormorants and shags breed on the cliff-faces. The headland was the site of a Second World War lookout (demolished in 2007), and is also a stopover for migrating swallows and house martins.
The jagged rocks of Bolt Head | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey
Stage 3
Follow the coast path to Salcombe, around the headland and down the slope towards Starehole Bay.
Starehole Bay
On calm days you'll see the dark patch of seaweed beneath the north waters of the cove, marking the Hezogin Cecile wreck. This grain clipper ran aground off Soar Mill Cove on 24 April 1936. For seven weeks the ship lay stranded while sightseers in their thousands lined the cliffs, holding their noses from the stench of rotting wheat. The ship was smashed in a July gale after being towed to Starehole Bay.
Stage 4
If you've dipped down to Starehole Bay, return to the coast path and go through the gate. Continue along the path towards the crags of Sharp Tor.
The coast path between Bolt Head and Overbeck's | © National Trust Images/John Parker
Stage 5
Follow the path along the cliffs and into Fir Wood. You are now above the treacherous Salcombe Bar, which stretches across the estuary to Leek Cove. When you reach the road, turn left uphill towards Overbecks.
Take in the Salcombe Estuary from the coast path | © National Trust Images/John Parker
Stage 6
Take the path on your right into Tor Woods. Continue along the path, keeping left, as it winds uphill to offer views of South Sands. Climb the steps out of the woods and follow the path across the fields, through the gate, then turn immediately right. Continue through another gate and follow the edge of the field towards the windsocks until meeting the track to the car park.
Stage 7
Follow the track that takes you back to the car park.
End point
East Soar National Trust car park, grid ref: SX713375
Trail map
Map of the East Soar to Bolt Head walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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The garden at Overbeck's with Salcombe Bay beyond

Trail

East Soar to Overbeck's Garden walk

A linear walk from East Soar to Overbeck's Garden. Follow the trail along the runway of what used to be RAF Bolt Head, taking in panoramic views of the South Hams coast and countryside.

View of a kissing gate into the fields around Soar Mill Cove, near East Soar and Bolberry Down, Devon

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Bolberry Down and Soar Mill Cove walk

Discover a circular walk that takes in some of the most scenic coastline of South Devon. Find out more about the history of the area and enjoy far-reaching views out to sea and along the coast.

East Soar car park, near Malborough, Devon, TQ7 3DR

01548562344

eastsoar@nationaltrust.org.uk

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