Baggy Point circular walk via Bloodhills Cliff
A longer, circular walk along both sides of Baggy Point then over the top of the headland, with breathtaking coastal, sea and farmland views. This is an excellent route for wild flowers, bird-watching and, at certain times of the year, you can also watch rock climbers scaling the cliffs.
Near to
Baggy PointStart point
Baggy Point car park, grid ref: SS432397Trail information
Total stages: 14
Total stages: 14
Start point
Baggy Point car park, grid ref: SS432397
Stage 1
Go out of car park by the kiosk and turn right up the asphalted lane, signed Baggy Point 1 mile. Be careful as there can be traffic on this section. Go through gate posts to the fingerpost at the fork in the path and go left here. On your left at this point is the only dog waste bin in this area. Follow the asphalted track past the houses. Watch out for peregrines flying overhead.
Stage 2
Follow the track, keeping to your left. At the next fork to your right is a driveway to a modern house. About 28yd (25m) along here stop and look at the whale bones on the right side of the path.
Stage 3
Follow this mostly level, graded track along to the end of the headland. Look out to your left across the bays to Hartland in the far distance. We also have downloadable trails for this area - please look on our website for details.
Stage 4
As the path curves slightly to your left, look for three steps up to your right where you'll find a pond that's been restored to create a valuable wildlife habitat. The water here is deep so please keep children and dogs under close supervision. Return to the path, passing through the gorse to the gate. Stop a while here and look at the memorial stone, set into the dry stone wall, to Henry Williamson.
Stage 5
Walk along the gently sloping South West Coast Path. Look out for the old harbour area on your left which used to be where the Hyde Family kept their boat. Keep an eye out for Lundy Island as you walk towards the headland.
Stage 6
When you reach the headland take time to stop and absorb the view. On clear days, and when the sea birds aren't nesting, you may also have the chance to watch the many rock climbers that come to Baggy Point to take advantage of the variety of routes it offers. You can also see the headland at Morte Point from here.
Stage 7
At the headland, the path makes a sharp hairpin turn up to your right to a gate. Go through the gate and take the grassy path immediately to your left, following it along the fence line. It widens out into a grassy track that goes across a field at the top of the cliff, past an old coastguard wreck post. This was once used for training, and is the only one surviving in North Devon. Please do not go to the edge of the cliff and ensure you keep your dogs on a lead. As you walk across this field look to your right at Hoe Wall.
Stage 8
Follow the grassy track as it leads out onto the eastern side of Baggy Point where the panoramic vista across Woolacombe Bay comes into view. Stay on the path along the cliff top. Go through the next gate and at the finger post follow the grassy path to your left. As you walk along this section look up to your right at the concrete bunker. This is one of several dummy pillboxes on Baggy Point that were built in the Second World War and used as part of the D-Day Normandy landings training.
Stage 9
Go over the stile and stay on the grassy track along the top of the cliff that gives this walk its name; Bloodhills Cliff. Cross over the next stile, turning around as you do to have a look at the view back down Baggy Point; you'll see how different the landscape is on this side of the headland. Carrying on, the path winds its way through shoulder-high gorse bushes, which in late summer and autumn will be ablaze with bright yellow flowers.
Stage 10
At the fingerpost, carry on walking ahead of you, signed Woolacombe 3 miles. Go over the next stile and follow the path down between the dry stone wall and the gorse. At the next fingerpost, follow the coast path sign along the grassy track off to your right across the field - do not follow the path down into the private campsite. Walk over the field to the fingerpost by the hedgerow; the South West Coast Path goes to your left. In season, you can make a short detour here down to your left to the café located at the Putsborough Campsite (non-National Trust, please check opening times). You can also access the beach here.
Stage 11
Turn right and follow the footpath, keeping the fence and hedgebank to your left. Where the fence turns to your left, follow the yellow footpath arrow diagonally across the field to the far left corner. There's a sweeping view across Croyde village and its world-famous surf beach and to your right there's a standing stone.
Stage 12
Go through the gate in the dry stone wall and follow the narrow path between the hedgerows. You can see the remains of the stepping stones set into the dry stone wall that, until recently, you had to climb over. When you reach the end of the path take the route signed straight ahead of you along the farm track.
Stage 13
Follow the track to the end, then follow the fingerpost down to your left, signed Public Footpath. Continue straight ahead of you, over the stile and down the hill, along the narrow path sandwiched between the hedgerows. These hedge banks are filled with wild flowers in the spring and summer. Follow the yellow arrow down the farm track, past the farm on your right and down to the public road.
Stage 14
Turn right, cross the road and follow the path back to the car park. Please be aware of traffic and ensure dogs are on leads. You'll pass the Sandleigh Tea-room and Garden, a collaborative partnership between the National Trust and our tenants. (Seasonal opening, please call the tea-rooms for opening times or check online for details).
End point
Baggy Point car park, grid ref: SS432397
Trail map
Baggy Point circular walk via Bloodhills Cliff | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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