I walked the South West Coast Path solo…AMA

[SeaSwimsEveryDay]

It’s a 630 mile hiking trail around the coast of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. I carried my own camping equipment with me the whole way, and it was one of the best experiences of my life!

I thought I’d do an AMA in case anyone else is planning their own Salt Path/ Cheryl Strayed experience and is looking for inspiration or tips.

Hi. Really interesting thread.
what sort of pre-planning did you do beforehand? Did you use a paper map or phone to navigate? What did you pack re essentials like plates, pans etc? What would be your top 5 tips?

What tent did you use?

@Whoarethegrownups I did pretty much get used to the bag, although it always felt heavy. You do get a sense of satisfaction from carrying everything on your back.

I didn’t actually ever weigh my bag, but I think it was probably around 17kg - probably nearer to 20ish if I’d just resupplied with food and water. This is pretty heavy for backpacking - my second summer, I reduced the weight of my bag a bit by having a lighter (but warmer) sleeping bag.

There is a whole ‘ultralight’ backpacking movement online though, with so many tips. A lot of them do involve expensive ultralight gear though, which is the trade off.

It sounds like you did it in the opposite direction to most people (started in Poole?). Why did you decide to do that?

Are you going to write a book? "Woman Exploring the British landscape" is my favourite genre.

Wow this is totally the sort of thing I would love to do one day. What an experience. Can I ask what your budget was for the trip?

@Whoarethegrownups I swam so much! By the end, I was sometimes swimming a few times a day because I didn’t want it to end (I also skinny dipped on the empty beaches in Cornwall in the early mornings sometimes…😆much easier to dry off in the sun)

And @Aliensrus In terms of going to the loo: I have no shame or fear in wild wees, so peed alfresco if I needed to. Number Twos are an odd thing - if I wild camped, I found I just didn’t need to go until I knew I’d be near a loo. It was a strange magic! Obviously if I were in a proper campsite, that wasn’t an issue.

There were quite a few toilets en route anyway, though - in car parks, pubs, cafes etc. So if I didn’t want alfresco peeing there would have been options!

Also @Aliensrus and @Whoarethegrownups this is a great blog post on going to the toilet outdoors! https://www.beckythetraveller.com/wild-camping-toilet-tips-paper-peeing-pooing-outdoors/

@Stratocumulus I can see why some people might feel worried, but I’m lucky in that I felt completely safe at all times on the path.

I remember reading Bill Bryson’s ‘A Walk in the Woods’, and he looked at attacks on the Appalachian Trail. He reasoned that if you drew a 2000 mile straight line along anywhere in the USA, there would be some instances of bad things happening.

So, I haven’t heard of any of the instances you mention, but I think my reasoning would be the same: a 630mile line anywhere in the UK would probably encounter one or two bad things happening.

Ultimately though, I felt so very safe. Almost protected by the outdoors, if that doesn’t sound too woo?

@Hercules12 I used this one and loved it! https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/trekking-dome-tent-1-person-mt900/_/R-p-305777 totally reliable and amazing both summers. By no means the lightest out there, but it was the best I could afford, and I’m so glad I got it as opposed to a more expensive one. My lovely little home!

@illiterato no, I did it Minehead to Poole 😊My first summer was Minehead to Plymouth, and the the second summer I returned to Plymouth and finished off to Poole.

@Somebodiesmother haha, that would be the dream! And that’s my favourite genre too - do you have any recommendations of books you’ve enjoyed in particular? Do share so I can add them to my list! I just finished Landlines by Raynor Winn, which I loved.

Sorry, aware there are still more to answer - I will come back to this! Just about to go out by will reply to any more questions later 😊

Amazing journey!

How long would it take to just do Cornwall?

Could I just compliment you OP, not only on this interesting topic (I live in coastal East Devon and have done lots of 'bits' of the path), but also on actually answering people's questions! So many AMAs disappoint in this respect...

At the start of the path! Well I used to, now I’m a few miles along the coast. Lots of friends are walking the path in sections every weekend.

Did you do any of the “rough” coast path ? My friend and I walked one section of it. Seriously scary at times. Having to step over voids and climbing down sections of loose scree.

Amazing timing as next Saturday me and my partner are taking a week out and walking as far as we can in the time allowed... just starting out! I live in Devon and we have done tiny bits here and there but never done it multi-day before and carrying everything with us. I have kit all over the bedroom at the moment - going to do a practice pack today and see how much my backpack weighs!

We're intending using campsites when possible and maybe a bit of wild camping. We are starting in Salcombe and walking as far East as we can get in a week! (Just chose that section for its convenience from where we live) Neither of us are particularly fit so will just be going at our own pace and have a little adventure along the way!

So - what are your top tips please? And any little (light) things you wish you'd taken to make life more comfortable? If you can recall the section from Salcombe (there are lots of little river ferry crossings!) how did you find that stretch? Also wondering about water - I will have a Sawyer with me for emergencies, but hoping there will be plenty of places to fill up en-route! Sorry - loads of questions there! Can you tell I'm just a bit excited!!

How old are you OP?

Thanks for this, it's a good read

im planning on doing the Pennine Way and literally on like currently researching sleeping bags. Trying to get my kit down to around 10/12kg

Firstly well done you on such an amazing achievement- lots of people think about doing things like this (myself included) but few actually get on and do it!

I can see you have been inundated with questions but please could I ask a few:
how would you describe your level of fitness beforehand and secondly (apologies if rude) what is your age range.
Sorry if this is a dumb question but is there a risk at various points of falling off a cliff. I mean how close is the coastal footpath to the edge.
Are there many other walkers doing the same thing. The reason I ask was that a few years ago I did the Cinque Terre walk in Italy and it was spoilt by the sheer number of people doing exactly the same thing.
Any recommendations on makes of tent, sleeping bag, walking boots and backpack.
Did you listen to music or audiobooks whilst walking?

Thank you

I'm sure it's all beautiful but are there any sections that stick in your mind as being particularly picturesque?

Well done. I'm very envious. Would love to do this one day.

I've always wanted to do this! What shoes/boots did you wear?

(I need a new pair of walking boots and want to change my heavy, heavy Meindls for something lighter, but that would still allow me to walk something like the SWCP)

For book recs - Jini Reddy's Wanderland was pretty good.

What sleeping bag did you use please?

What an achievement, also!

@Upanddownthemerrygoround good question! I actually just did the West Highland Way at Easter (also amazing, but in a completely different way). Now I’m feeling itchy about the thought of a summer without hiking near the sea…so it may have to be the Pembrokeshire Coast Path for this summer’s trip! Ultimately, I would love to walk around the whole coast of England.

In terms of trips abroad, I would love to do the Appalachian Trail in America, and the Te Araroa in New Zealand.

How amazing. Great thread!

I use the Calm app for sleep stories at night and am obsessed with one about the Pacific Crest Trail which is the one Cheryl Strayed did part of in her book Wild. It prompted me to read her book. I’ve read Raynor Winn’s books too.

I love the idea of doing something similar but can’t see myself actually doing it!