Coastal Walk From Babbacombe To Teignmouth via Shaldon

This coastal walk near Torquay in Devon, takes you north from Babbacombe, past lots of beach coves, and up to Shaldon, where you can catch a little boat across the water to Teignmouth.

It’s a very hilly walk. Comparable to the Kinsgwear to Brixham coastal walk. The difference is, it’s a bit shorter, and the hills are slightly less aggressive, so a bit more manageable.

Teignmouth is actually across the water from Shaldon, however, I decided to end the walk at Teignmouth for 2 reasons.

Teignmouth has a train station.
Catching a little boat is fun.

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What to expect on the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth

As mentioned, it’s very hilly. Also, if you want to venture to some of the little secluded coves, you need to walk off the coast path and down. They are dead ends, so you would then need to come back up again. You can decided along the way if you want to take those extra challenges.

Steps leading uphill covered in grass on the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth.

The rugged cliffside leading to a pebble beach on the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth.

The walk is also mostly through woodland, there are some open areas, but the majority is woods. It does mean you don’t get as much views as you would think for a coastal walk, however, there are many points with openings to see the views, and a few big open areas, where you get all the view goodness. I even saw some seals.

Looking down at the grass covered clifftop with a view to Ness Beach, a red sand beach towards the end of the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth. There is a sheep walking on the grass.

A narrow red coloured dirt path leading through the bushes with a view to the blue sea ahead, along the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth.

The little boat at the end is also a nice little addition.

Fun fact: The boat crossing between Shaldon and Teignmough, is Englands oldest passenger ferry.

The red sand beach where it meets the blue sea in Shaldon, at the end of the Babbacombe to Teignmouth coastal walk. There is a small boat pulled up at the beach with bunting, and people quitting to get on, and people walking off.

Is the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth easy to follow?

Pretty much. It’s a coastal path. There are a number of junctions, but they are all signposted. Just keep following the little acorns, yellow arrows, or the words ‘coast path’.

At Shaldon, to catch the boat across to Teignmouth, it’s somewhere along the beach. I walked straight past the pick up point looking for an official office of sorts. Turns out it doesn’t exist. Once suitably confused about where to go, I noticed a little boat pulling up to the beach further back with a bunch of people on it. That looked like it could be it, so I ran on over to catch it. At the time of writing, it cost £2 to cross (see tips for more details)

Logistics for the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth

Start: Babbacombe Downs
Finish: Teignmouth
How to get there: For Babbacombe, you can catch the number 22 bus from Torquay. It’s a short journey, maybe 10min. The 22 will also get you from Shaldon back to Torquay, but you’re looking at more like 45 min. Teignmouth has a train station on the Great Western Railway line. You catch a train back down to Torquay from there.
Distance: 8 miles
Time: 3h 30min
Elevation: Highest point is 135m. With the ups and downs you will have walked up about 551m.
Difficulty: Challenging
Terrain: Dirt trail, grass, clay mud, a small bit of road
Amenities: Babbacombe has a number of cafes/food places and supermarkets. Maidencombe Beach has a cafe. Shaldon has a few pubs and cafes and fish and chips. Teignmouth is a bigger town, so has everything.
Option to shorten the walk: Yes. At Maidencombe, the halfway point, you could walk to the main road to catch the bus.
Time of year: Spring

Tips for the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth

Take cash. The little boat from Shaldon to Teignmouth only takes cash. I learnt this the hard way. What is cash? The guy was nice though, and let me off.
The little boat between Shaldon and Teignmouth runs from 10-6 daily, however this is subject to change based on weather and sea conditions etc. The crossing takes a couple of minutes.
Wear good grip hiking boots/shoes. There is one section in particular which is very steep with slippy mud clay. I was wearing fantastic grip shoes and slipped a little. This section is one of those detours I mentioned, so you can skip it. I will show you which bit it is.
Stop for food and drink in Shaldon before getting the boat over to Teignmouth. I noticed when I walked by that the Ferry Boat Inn looked pretty popular. I have since checked online and all the eateries along the beach have excellent ratings.
Add to the adventure by joining a guided sea kayaking tour from Teignmouth.

Map for the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth via Shaldon

More walking route ideas near Babbacombe and Teignmouth will be at the end

If you are staying near Torquay, and want to see the coastline from the other side, you could try this private boat tour which takes you to Babbacombe, all the way to Berry Head.

A guide to the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth via Shaldon

I actually came out to do this walk the day before. Having just finished the Agatha Christie Walking Tour, I then jumped on a bus from Torquay to Babbacombe. I arrived to this:

A barely visible beach at Babbacombe, on a very misty foggy day. There are a few people on the beach.

This would mean no views. I always want the views. So I left and went back to Torquay to walk to Cockington instead.

I came back today to try again. In Babbacombe, you need to walk down to reach the beach. The walk back up from Babbacombe Beach is very very steep and long. I had now done that uphill twice in the past week or so, and my leg was hurting. I chickened out and went to start the walk from Babbacombe Downs instead. Saying that, I was not sad at all, as the view from there is incredible

Leg update:

So, I spoke a bit in my Kingswear to Brixham walk guide about how my leg was starting to twinge again. For anyone not up to speed, in Layman’s terms, I have been suffering with tendon issues around my shin and ankle. I did that walk 3 days ago. Yesterday, when I set out for a day of walking, funny enough, that issue wasn’t too bad. What I had now was a new pain. This one was hamstring related. On the flats and downhill I’m fine. As soon as I go up, it lets itself be known. I discovered today, that walking uphill backwards didn’t hurt. So that’s what I did. I walked up the hills backwards. I will let you know how that went when I describe the walk below.

Start the walk to Teignmouth from Babbacombe Downs

When you arrive in Babbacombe, make your way to Babbacombe Downs. From here, you get a fantastic view along the coastline and down to Oddicombe Beach.

Looking down to the blue sea where it meets the beach which is surrounded by a tree covered cliff in Babbacombe, at the start of the walk towards Shaldon and Teignmouth.

Walk through the green, and when you reach the road that goes downhill to Oddicombe Beach, stay up here on the road, and then take the next path on the right behind the railway cafe.

Of course, you can walk down to Oddicombe Beach, but you will need to walk back up again to get back on the trail.

Sticking to this trail, walk towards the Babbacombe Cliff Railway and then along the path to the left of it.

A wide path, with a stone wall and wooden fence on the left and metal railing and bushes to the right. The white and red Babbacombe Cliff Railway building is ahead with two people walking towards it.

Walk on some roads to reach Petit Tor

This path leads to a residential road, and then onto the main road. Go through the car park ahead to the left, and walk past the Babbacombe Model Village to reach the road again.

Turn right on the road, and follow the path through the green. This will lead you to a roundabout where you should see a coast path sign pointing right.

Follow this right turn, and it will lead you along a long road, to reach a big green area. Ok, that’s enough road walking for now. You will also now be at a point where you can stay on the coast path or take a detour to a hidden cove.

A dirt path through the grass and a bit of red cliff poking up ahead.

A wooden trail signpost on a small green grass covered hill.

Walk to Petit Tor Beach

If you want to go and see the cove, walk straight downhill through the green. At the bottom of the first downhill, you will reach a lovely space with a viewpoint bench and a view back to Babbacombe.

The red dirt trail leading downhill, surround by leafless trees.

A red dirt trial leading to a wooden bench with a view out to the blue sea.

Looking across the bush tops to the sea and tree covered peninsular ahead, with a village nestled below.

The next bit gets a bit hairy. To continue to Petit Tor Beach, turn left and follow the trail down. At first it’s quite simple through woods, and you will reach a point where you get a lovely view down to the beach cove through the trees.

A narrow red dirt trail surround by bushes and trees.

A narrow dirt trail surrounded by trees and greenery.

Looking through a gap in the trees to the rugged red cliffside and rocky beach as it meets the blue sea.

As you continue down, things get more rugged and the ground becomes quite slippy. I was practically going down on my bum. It was the safest way.

A barely visible dirt trial through the overgrown grass, bushes and trees.

The problem I then encountered, was how to get back up. On my map, there is a trail somewhere down here to take me back up a different way, so I don’t have to go back on myself. I couldn’t find it, so ended up going back the way I came.

Follow the coast path signs to Watcombe

From the top of the green, follow the coast path right (it’s the direction of left from when you first entered the green).

There is a junction coming up where you would think to go right, but the coast path sign points left. So go left.

And then just keep following the signposts which should now be pointing to Watcombe. There will be some ups and downs, with the occasional view looking back along the coast.

A wooden coast path sign on the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Shaldon and Teignmouth.

A red dirt trail surround by tall bushes and grass.

Looking across the bush and tree tops to the sea and peninsular ahead on the coastal walk between Babbacombe, Shaldon and Teignmouth.

Here is one of the signs pointing you off the main trail, and down the hill:

A wooden trail signpost next to a red dirt trail

A red dirt trial on the right with tall bushes to the right of it and bushes ahead with the blue sea behind.

I can’t really remember the specifics of what happens next. Woodland tends to blend into one when there is lots of it. It’s basically woods and ups and downs.

A dirt trial sound by dirt banks and lots of greenery.

When you reach a big T-junction, you can turn right if you want to walk down to Watcombe Beach. I started it, but part way in decided to turn back, as I needed to minimise the hills.

I hadn’t discovered backwards uphill walking yet.

For the main coast path, turn left and you should see a sign uphill ahead, directing you uphill to the right.

More woods, more hills and my leg

Continue through the woods, following the coast path signs as the trail takes you up and down with some steps thrown in.

Wide steps leading uphill, surrounded by trees and green. — .

When I say my leg was hurting, it was bad enough that if I tried to push up through that leg (on slopes or steps), the pain was so severe that my leg would give out. My coping strategy at the moment was doing steps one at a time, leading with my other leg. The problem was, that leg was getting pretty tired doing all the work. On the hills I would use a technique where I kept my leg straight and swung it around, like a peg leg. It didn’t hurt as much if my leg was straight.

The rope swing

The trail will lead you to an open area in the woods, where you turn right.

A wide open walking area in the middle of the woodland. There are tow people walking ahead.

Dirt steps leading uphill through the woodland on the walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth.

This leads to more steps up, and a rope swing. There were some kids playing on it. One kid swung out and started screaming that he nearly died. For reference, the rope swings off a ledge with a big drop. It made me feel a bit nauseous just thinking about it. You would probably die if you fell, or the rope broke.

Walk towards Maidencombe Beach

At the top, the trail will take you down steps again, and you will come out of the woods briefly as you continue downhill. Once down the hill, it’s back into the woods and up more steps etc….

A red coloured dirt trail snaking down the grass hill, surrounded by bushes with the blue sea ahead on the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth and Shaldon.

Steps leading up through the fence woodland.

The signposts should now be saying Maidencombe, which is the next beach stop.

You will reach a point where you get a fantastic view to the left across a big field and to cliffy coastline in the distance. The coast path doesn’t go through this field though. It continues straight down and around the perimeter of it. I really wanted to walk through the field. The walk had been dominated by woodland thus far, and I wanted a change.

Looking across the grass hilltop, with a peak of view to the cliffs and sea ahead on the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Shaldon and Teignmouth. There is a person walking across the hill.

However, it would eat away at me if I didn’t follow the official coast path. So that’s what I did. I can tell you now though, that the next section of trail is not very interesting. You don’t have the views that you get from the field, so if you want to walk across the field, that is fine, as the trails meet further along.

A dirt trail with a barbed wire fence and hill field to the left, and bushes and trees to the right.

The secret arch and seals

Ok, I have just said how uninteresting this next bit of trail is. That’s not completely true. Most of it is uninteresting, however, there are two things about it which might make you want to walk it.

First off, I could hear people down below in the water. I found a little gap in the bushes to look down and saw the kayakers. Then I saw a ledge with some seals on it. I don’t have good quality photo of the seals. But seeing them defiantly made up for missing out from the views in that field. A little bit further along I found another gap in the bushes and looked though, and saw a cute arch. That sweetened the deal.

Looking along the cliffside to a rock arch on the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth.

Maidencombe Beach – The halfway point in the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth

The trail will lead you to a road, with signs pointing downhill to the right for Maidencombe Beach and a Cafe. This beach seems to be where the kayakers are starting from.

Looking down to the red sand beach of Maidencombe, completely surrounded by tall rugged cliffs on the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth. There is a group of kayakers on the beach.

Walk to the monster hills

Next, walk through the car park area and take a right next to the pink house. Along here you will be walking next to a neat hedge, and will get a view back to the hill you just came from.

A path leading uphill to the left, lined with green hedges, and a pink house through the gate on the right.

Looking across the grass covered clifftop, with the blue sea on the left.

Somewhere further along, you will reach junction where you need to take a left next to the wooden fence which says Windsong.

A wooden trial signpost nestled in the bushes.

A wooden fence with a sign saying 'windsong' on it.

First you will be sort of enclosed, and then things will start to open up with a view to the hill ahead. That is the smaller hill. Warming you up for the big hill. Now follow the trail to reach the hill. Thinking back, there might have actually been two hills to reach the big one….You will have to wait to find out.

Two lines of dirt trail with a barbed wire fence and filed on the left, and bushes to the right.

Looking down into the hill valley of green fields.

It was whilst making my way up that hill that my straight leg technique was no longer working. I needed to think of something else. This is where backwards uphill walking started.

The monster hill

After the big hill(s), it’s down again. Down nice and low so you can start at the bottom for the next hill. I was quite chuffed with myself at now having discovered backwards uphill walking.

Looking across to the hills of the grass covered clifftop field on the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth and Shaldon. The blue sea is on the right. — That’s the big hill

The monster hill is high, the highest point in the walk. Up top, I saw a mist lower down which gave a feeling of being up in the clouds. As I arrived up there, there were a few people sitting on the grass. I was half expecting a round of applause for making it up…and was a little disappointed when it didn’t come.

Looking across the grass clifftop to the coastline in the distance, on the Babbacombe to Teignmouth walk. There is mist and fog hanging in the air.

Walk to Ness Beach viewpoint

Once up top, the trail goes to the right and though a gait and then…it’s straight back down. After all that hard work going up, it’s all undone in an instant. I was cursing the South West Coast Path at this point.

Narrow steps leading downhill, surrounded by grass and bushes and trees.

The trail will take you down and around passed a house being built. Maybe by the time you are here, it will be finished. I stood and looked at it for a moment, imagining that this was my home I was building. I made mental note to play the lottery when I got back.

Note: I forgot to play the lottery.

Keep going past the house to reach the road. At the road turn right, then a short way along, you should see a little trail to the right of the road.

A winding road on the left and pavement and path on the right.

A big tree trunk on the left with a back and white acorn coast path sign on it, pointing to a trail on the right.

You will then come back onto the road briefly, but the trail is just ahead to the right again. This will lead you to a field for what are my favourite views from this walk….

First in the field, to the right is a clifftop home which I was very jealous of. Then if you walk up and over the hill, you will gate a fantastic view down the other side to a long stretch of sand below the tall red cliff face. This is Ness Beach.

Looking towards two clifftop houses on the Babbacombe to Teignmouth coastal walk. There is mist hanging over the houses.

Looking down the green grass field on the clifftop with a view to Ness Beach, a long stretch of red sand, at the end of the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth.

The final stretch of the coastal walk from Babbacombe to Teignmouth

I had a sit down on this hill looking at the view below. The last cliff of the walk. I thought about the last time I saw this cliff 2 weeks ago, from the other side when I did the walk from Teignmouth to Dawlish. I said I would come back and walk along it. And now I’m here.

For the next bit, once you walk down the hill you will go into woodland which is what makes up the majority of the rest of the walk into Shaldon.

Keep an eye out for a small gap in the bushes to a view down to Ness Cove Beach.

A dirt trail surround by trees and bushes.

Looking through a gap in the trees to Ness Beach, a long red sand beach below the cliff.

There is a junction coming up with a bench between the two paths. Both trails are fine, they join up later. I took the right one because there was a camera symbol on my map coming up. Camera symbol means good view…..

Well, it does take you to a viewpoint section and bench, however, the view was pretty average compared to anything seen on the rest of the walk between Babbacombe and Teignmouth. So I wouldn’t worry about missing out on this one. It’s so average, I didn’t bother taking a photo.

Walk into Shaldon

It’s then a downhill walk through the woods to reach the road. Turn right on the road to walk to Shaldon Beach. There are a number of places to eat along here, with a cool view across the water with all the boats, and over to Teignmouth.

A Path and railing on the right, with the sea to the left and a tree covered cliff ahead in Shaldon.

A few row boats lined up on the red sand Shaldon Beach at the end of the walk from Babbacombe.

Looking across the water to the beach with a few boats on the sand and some beach huts in Teignmouth. — This is me on the boat arriving in Teignmouth

More similar walks or routes near Babbacombe and Teignmouth

If you are staying in the Torquay area, then check out the best walks around Torquay. Alternatively, below is a quick look at a few walks.

Teignmouth to Dawlish walk – If you keep walking along the coast path, you will reach Dawlish. This is an easy walk walking along the railway line with a gorgeous red cliff backdrop.

Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton walk – Just across the water from Dawlish Warren, you will reach Exmouth. This is a really lovely relatively short and easy walk with more dramatic red cliffs.

Torquay to Babbacombe – This walk is one of my highlights for the area. It’s a fantastic coastal walk with fantastic views.

Kingswear to Brixham – I mentioned this one at the beginning. It’s very similar in terms of hills, but longer and harder. If you want a real challenge, then this is your walk.

Torquay to Cockington – If you want to mix things up, then this is a lovely walk to try. It’s very easy, and takes you inland to a super cute, quaint, chocolate box village.