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  A panoramic view of Start Bay and the surrounding countryside above Hallsands


At a glance

  • Distance: 3.5 miles
  • Views: Stunning coastal scenery, ruins, rolling hills
  • Terrain: Pavement, tracks, grass and rocky paths. Steep in places with some overgrown sections – covered legs are recommended!
  • Circular? Yes.
  • Starting point: Beesands car park (TQ7 2EL). For more information, see our Beesands Beach guide.
  • Dog-friendly: Yes, including both beaches.

Beesands to Hallsands

OS © Crown copyright 2018 CS-49390-P7H3Y2

To view the OS map for our Beesands to Hallsands walk, please click here.

Start Bay is a beautiful and historic 15-mile section of coastline, stretching between just south of Dartmouth down to Start Point. This circular walk provides outstanding views of some of the bay’s most breathtaking sights. These include elevated views of the picturesque villages of Beesands and Hallsands, the ruins of South Hallsands and, in the distance, the iconic Start Point lighthouse.

Your visual guide

Park at Beesands (free) and, with the sea in front of you.

Beesands in South Devon

Where the promenade comes to an end, follow the track right, leading up the hill.

As the track leads uphill, look behind you to enjoy an elevated view of Beesands. You’ll have another chance to see it on the way back, but it’s a sight we never tire of!

An aerial view of Beesands on a summer day

Stick to the lower track en route to Hallsands.

The lower path from Beesands towards Hallsands

Keep an eye out for ever-improving views of the Start Point Lighthouse as you head south.

Start Point

Go through the gate. Keep a close eye on your dog as this field is often occupied by cows.

Hallsands will come into view. Head down to the beach, keeping to the edge of the field.

Cross the beach, walk along the row of houses and climb the steps.

The footpath to the Coast Path at Hallsands

Follow the path left at the end.

The footpath inland from Hallsands

Continue towards Prospect House.

The path towards Prospect House

Did you know that two stunning holiday apartments in Prospect House are available with Coast & Country Cottages? Perched high over the ruins of South Hallsands, these self-catering properties provide breathtaking coastal views, use of an outdoor heated swimming pool and luxurious accommodation throughout.

Find out more about our Prospect House properties.

Take a quick detour left, following the signs to the viewing platform.

The trail down to South Hallsands

Learn more about South Hallsands as you look over the ruins, across to Start Point and out to sea.

The viewing platform at South Hallsands

Head back to the main path and turn left.

The footpath by Prospect House (Hallsands)

Follow the track downhill. Pass the tennis courts.

The tennis courts by South Hallsands

You’ll come to a car park on your left. On your right, look for a stile. Cross it to enter the field.

A stile leading off the road at South Hallsands

Follow the path – the line to your left is electrified so keep your dog under close control!

The electric fence on the footpath out of South Hallsands

Keep to the right of the field. You’ll come to a gate. Go through it and brace for yourself for an often-overgrown section of the walk!

An overgrown trail between Beesands and Hallsands

You’ll come to a road. Turn right, heading downhill towards Bickerton.

The path towards Bickerton

Bear right onto Bridgeway Lane.

Cross the stream right towards Beesands

Be prepared for another overgrown path!

An overgrown path towards Beesands

Turn left when you come to a road.

Take a left turn onto the road.

Shortly afterwards you’ll see a stream to your right and a Public Footpath sign. Cross the stream onto the path.

A stream leading to a path towards Beesands

Follow the red waymarker through Higher Middlecombe Farm. Go through the gate.

Follow the waymarkers through this section!

Turn right at the road.

A right turn towards Beesands

Shortly afterwards, turn right again, going through the gate.

Turning right, back towards the coast between Beesands and Hallsands

Follow the track to the left of the field.

A track leading towards the coast between Beesands and Hallsands in South Devon

Keep left, following the sign for Beesands.

Stick to the left at this section of Coast Path by Hallsands

In the left corner of the field, you’ll come to a gate, which is easily missed beneath the undergrowth.

Go through the gate towards Beesands

Simply follow the trail back to Beesands. As you’ll be returning along a higher path than that which took you to Hallsands, you’ll find the views are even more special!


We hope you enjoyed our visual guide to the circular Beesands-Hallsands walking route. How about trying some of these too?

    1. The Loddiswell Woods historic railway walk
    2. Dartmouth to Blackpool Sands on the South West Coast Path
    3. A circular walk from East Soar near Salcombe

2 At the Beach ThumbnailSouth Devon is a walkers’ paradise, so why not take your next break in our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty?

Explore around 400 self-catering holiday homes in South Devon today.