11.2 km along the coast and 6.1 km inland.
The remainder of section 54 in the SWCPA handbook
Although the middle of December it was quite mild, but with low cloud and a little drizzle when we set-out to walk the next section of the coast. We had decided to stay for 4 days on the edge of Dartmouth in a Chalet. Fairly basic, but comfortable and it allowed us to be self-contained and not to be too worried about crowded places with the rise in the new, Omicron, variant of Covid that was spreading quickly throughout the UK.
So we parked the car in the middle of Dartford, which is only possible out of the main season, and took the passenger ferry across to Kingswear. Only two other passengers and so not crowdedand it is difficult to believe that it can be economic.
The ferry arrives just next to the Kingswear station where steam trains run past Greenway and to Torquay. This is almost a transport hub as the Lower car-ferry also arrives almost alongside. From here it is a steep climb through the town and then along a series of quiet minor roads and eventually down a rough road to Mansands.
WE stopped for a little while before beginning a series of quite steep climbs and decents. I’m sure there are spectacular views along this part of the coast, but unfortunately we could see little in the conditions. The path almost decends to the sea at Scabbacombe Sands and then after a series of bends there are dramatic views down to the sea at Pudcombe Cove, the tiny beach at the bottom of Coleton Fishacre Garden.
As we got nearer Kingswear the path goes through trees but just when you can see the first houses at Kingswear, once again you go almost down to sea-level at Mill Bay Cove before climbing a steep series of steps. Then the path follows a private road into Kingswear.
I’m not sure whether it was a lack of fitness having done no serious walking in November, or the lack of decent views due to the cloud but we both found this section hard work and were glad to get the ferry, this time as the only passengers, back to our car.
