Walk Bude - Coastal & Canal

From the Falcon Hotel in Bude follow the Coast Path sign and pass St. Michael’s Church, originally built in the 19th century as a chapel of ease to nearby Stratton Church. The climb from here to the top of the cliff at Compass Point is rewarded by spectacular views of the beaches and town of Bude. This is a popular stretch with surfers and, while looking inland the magnificent high tors of Dartmoor can be seen on a clear day. Continue along the Coast Path until you reach Widemouth Bay (which is dog-friendly throughout the year).

Just before the Bay View Inn and a little way after the car park at Lower Longbeak, you leave the Coast Path and cross the B road to a kissing gate with a public footpath sign. From here you follow a well-maintained path through lush fields, following the waymarks and passing through two small gates and two more kissing gates before reaching the historic canal path to Bude at Helebridge.

The Bude Canal was built in the early 1820s to carry the calcium-rich sea sand inland where it was used by farmers as fertiliser. Stay on the path on the left hand side, following the canal. The path eventually comes to a green bridge where you cross over to the path on the right hand side and continue to finish back at the car park and the Falcon Hotel.

Terrain:
After a gentle climb out of Bude, the walk becomes easy and flat. There are no stiles along the route, although kissing gates will prevent access for some prams & wheelchairs.