Paignton To Brixham Coastal Walk Guide

The coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham takes you past a mix of big beaches and small hidden coves. There are flat sections, hilly sections, some woodland and steps. For a good chunk of the walk, you will be walking alongside the railway track, and if the time is just right, you will see the steam train pass by.

Looking under the arch of a viaduct which is surrounded by bushes on the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham. there is a family with two adults and two children walking under the archway.

Another thing you will notice, is the colour red. From the soil to the cliffs to the sand. This is due to the presence of iron chemicals which are found in deserts only. But where is the desert? Well, it used to be one. Going back to the triassic period over 200 million years ago.

A red sand beach leading to the sea and a sea wall in front of the cliff to the left. There is a line of beach huts on the path above the sea wall.

The red sand beach with a cliff ahead and sea to the right on the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham. There are lots of houses on top of the cliff.

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What was the coastal walk like from Paignton to Brixham?

I really enjoyed this walk. It’s a while since I have walked by cliffs, so that was always going to make me happy. Overall, the route is quite mixed. Some sections are a bit more crowded, other sections calm and peaceful. Although sunny, it was a very cold day and we are not quite in high season yet. So I suspect the coastal walk between Paignton and Brixham could get quite busy at more popular times of year. You are essentially walking between two popular tourist towns, and there are some holiday parks en route.

Looking down to the blue water in the cove, with a small secluded beach on the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham. There are lots of trees on the land surrounding the cove.

An old rusty looking shipping boat on the blue sea in Brixham at the end of the coastal walk from Paignton.

Looking through the trees towards the blue water of a secluded beach cove near the end of the walk from Paignton to Brixham.

It’s a short walk, but feels longer due to the hills. I also stopped quite a lot to enjoy my surroundings, which probably made it feel longer. My legs were unusually tired at the end, which surprised me due to the short distance.

Logistics for the Paignton to Brixham coastal walk

Start: Paignton sea front
Finish: Brixham
How to get there: You can get to Paignton by bus from Torquay, Totnes (Gold), Newton Abbot. Brixham and Paignton are connect by the number 12 bus (which also runs to Torquay and Newton Abbot).
Distance: 5.8 miles
Time: 2h30m
Elevation: Highest point is about 60m. You will walk uphill a total of about 190m
Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Terrain: Asphalt, dirt trail, some road, sand, pebbles.
Dog friendly: Yes – No stiles, a few long stretches of beach, a few open green spaces, no livestock.
Amenities: Anything you need in Paignton and Brixham. Cafes and public toilets also at Goodrington Sands and Broadsands Beach along the way. Lots of viewpoint benches.
Time of year: Early spring

Tips for the Paignton to Brixham coastal walk

If you aren’t already staying in Paignton or Brixham and plan to get a bus in, a day bus ticket might be cheaper than buying 2 singles (it depends how far you are travelling from), and it covers you for as many bus journeys as you want all day in the Tobay area. You can ask on the bus, the cost of a single vs a day pass.
If it’s sunny and you don’t want the sun in your face, then walk the other way from Brixham to Paignton. Saying that, finishing at Brixham is nicer.
If you prefer less people, then try not do to this on a sunny weekend summers day.
There are less buses on Sundays, so bare this in mind when planning the walk.

If you are staying in the Torbay area, and fancy doing some water activities, you cant rent a SUP for the day. The great thing is, they deliver it to you. Plus it’s inflatable, so it comes in a backpack for you to get to and from the beach with it easily.

Map for the Paignton to Brixham coastal walk

More walk ideas, and links to guides, near Paignton and Brixham will be at the end

For more fun activities and tours, including walking tours, gin making, and boat tours, take a look on Viator to see what is around this area.

A Guide To The Paignton To Brixham Coastal Walk

Starting from Paignton sea front, turn to walk south (sea to your left) and keep going to the other side of the beach and through the Harbour Light building, where you will pass by Paignton Harbour.

The pink and pale blue facades of the tall houses lining the road in Paignton.

The red sand beach in Paignton at the start of the coastal walk to Brixham. The pier is jutting out to the water on the left and a hilly landscape on the other side of the water with lots of houses and buildings.

The Harbour light building in Paignton. There are a few picnic benches outside with a couple of people sitting on them.

Lots of boats in the harbour on the sea bed at low tide at the start of the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham.

Next, go up to the road, and continue following the harbour around where you will reach the first beach cove, Fairy Cove. You can go down to it, and a short way along the beach there are steps back up, or you can stay up top. Whichever you prefer.

Looking down to the sandy beach with some short red cliffs ahead and the blue to to the left. There are a few people walking on the beach.

Leave Paignton to walk towards Brixham

So far, the walk out of Paignton had felt a little chaotic. If you have been to Paignton before, you will know. Right up until Fairy Cove, it was all quite busy and I didn’t yet feel at one with nature.

After Fairy Cove, the coast path will then take you through a small garden area, then when back on the road, look out for a trail on the left which will take you into another garden area.

A small area to the left with flower and tree, and path curving around it on the right. There is a blue and white coloured building on the other side of the green next to the path on the right.

Looking across the green to the tall trees and sea in the distance below. — This is looking back from the second garden area

It was around here that things started to calm down. Less people, no car noise, and nice views back down to Paignton and all across the coastline as far as Torquay.

Walk to Goodrington Sands

Following the path around the garden, you will have choice to make. There are basically three trails all in the same direction, but at different levels. Any of them will do. I picked the middle. This bit is pretty, along a well kept trail with lots of flowers, and soon a view down to Goodrington Sands.

A path with a green on the right and a few people and a dog on the path.

A path leading uphill with a wall of bushes and flower on the right side on the walk to Paignton from Brixham. There is black railings on the left.

Looking down to the red sand beach of Goodrington Sands where it meets the sea on the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham.

At some point before then end, you will need to make you way onto the bottom trail. There should be some steps somewhere to get you down there. The bottom trail will take you right down to the beach.

At Goodrington Sands, you can walk on the beach, or the path next to it which will be lined with beach huts.

Looking across the red sand beach towards the red cliffs and beach huts on the left and sea ahead on the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham

The promedade with white beach huts with colourful doors lining the right side of it.

This looked like a place that will be very busy during summer. Apart from the lovely long stretch of sandy beach, there is a waterpark and lake with bumper boats.

Walk along the steam train railway tracks

At the other side of the beach, you will go onto road briefly, but look out for the trail on the left off the road. Follow this, where you will now be walking alongside the railway track for a while. I willed a steam train to come by. It didn’t.

A few steps leading up to the path, with a stone wall to the right and grass to the left.

A path on the left and green and wire fence to the right, looking down towards Goodrington Sands and the railway line. — The view looking back

Over the hill, you will reach a trail signpost where you can continue straight to continue the walk to Brixham, or go left to see some more coves. I decided to go look at the coves…to see what there were about.

A wooden trail signpost marking the coast path on the walk from Paignton to Brixham. The blue sea is visible in the distance.

Saltern Cove and Waterside Cove

Over the railway bridge is a lovely green area, again with nice views back towards Goodrington Sands. If you walk to the bottom, of the green you will find Saltern Cove and Waterside Cove.

Looking across the green towards the sea and the red cliffs on the other side.

Looking down to a pebble beach cove with red cliffs on the left and the blue sea ahead.

Looking down to the sandy beach cove with a moss covered cliff on the right on the walk to Brixham from Paignton.

Fun Fact: 280 million years ago, this whole area used to be desert as far as the eye can see. The rocks and cliffs are up to 450million years old.

Walk back to the coast path and the steps

Back on over the railway bridge and back on the coast path, the trail then goes down lots of steps.

Looking across the green on the right and stone bridge on the left over the railway line.

Looking down and along the railway line on the coastal walk to Brixham from Paignton. The track curves to the left and has grass backs on either side with yellow flowers.

Steps leading down towards the railway line with the see ahead in the diatcue on the other side of the green grass clifftop.

My original plan was to walk from Paignton to Brixham and back again. Seeing as it’s a relatively short walk. However, after seeing these steps and the people labouring up them, I decided that I would probably instead get the bus back. I was quite chuffed at myself for deciding to do the walk in this direction from Paignton to Brixham. I didn’t have to walk up those steps….I didn’t know yet that my time would come.

Walk to Shell Cove and maybe Broadsands Beach

At the bottom and along a bit more trail, you will pass an underpass for the railways line. You can either continue on this main trail, or go under the bridge. Under the bridge will lead you to another nice green area and a trail down to Shell Cove and maybe Broadsands Beach.

A sandy Bach cove enclosed by moss covered red cliffs on the left and the blue coloured sea ahead and right.

I say maybe Broadbands Beach because I got confused. I went and had a look at Shell Cove thinking it was Broadbands Beach, and couldn’t see a way off it. Now that I look on my map, there was another trail somewhere to take you to Broadsands Beach. If you find it, you could avoid the steps which are about to come.

Walk to Broadsands Beach the other way

Going back under the railway bridge to the other coast path, you will be presented with the first lot of steps, warming you up for the big steps which are to come.

At the top, and along a bit more trail, you will get a view down to Broadsands Beach.

Looking down to the red sand of Broadsands Beach on the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham. The beach is surrounded by grass and bushes. There are a few people visible walking on the beach.

Fun Fact: Did you know that Devon has two beaches called Broadsands Beach. One in south Devon (this one) and one in North Devon. The North Devon one is a little less known and completely secluded. If I had to pick, I would pick the North Devon one.

Getting down to Broadsands Beach was interesting. First a nice stretch of dirt trail surrounded by grass, then the Hogweed, not in full bloom yet, but close.

(Hogweed is a toxic plant that can cause burns when touched).

Two lines of narrow trail through the grass leading to bushes ahead.

A dirt trail just visible leading through the hogweed bushes.

Steps leading down towards the railway viaduct bridge. The steps are surrounded by bushes and trees.

Then you get to walk under the railway viaduct.

Looking under the archway of the viaduct on the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham. There is a path running under the viaduct which is surrounded by bushes and trees. — Looking back

Broadsands Beach – The Halfway point on the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham

I think I prefer this beach to Goodrington sands. It also has the nice red sand and cliffs, but felt a little less congested. There is a cafe here and car park, so does have the potential to be quite crowded. It made me quite glad I was here in 1 degree weather.

A red sand beach with cliffs on the left on the walk to Brixham from Paignton. There are a couple of people walking on the sand.

The red sandy Broadsands beach and a couple of people and their dog walking on it.

Past Broadsands Beach, it’s an uphill onto a nice stretch of green with a few secluded coves and plenty of viewpoint benches. Being that this was the halfway point in the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham (and I was hungry) this felt like the perfect spot for a little snack break.

A trail running through the neat but grass and curving to the right, with the sea to the left. There are benching along the green facing out to sea.

Looking across the rocks to the blue sea and towns visible on the land in the distance.

Whilst here, I heard it. The steam train. I had been waiting for this, too bad I wasn’t on the railway track any more, but it’s better than nothing.

Looking across the sea with the cliffs and a steam train running across the top of them on the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham. There are also some white coloured houses on the cliff top.

Walk from Broadsands Beach to Brixham

Keeping to the bottom edge of the green, the trail will then lead you down and towards Elberry Cove, where you will find a cute little ruin.

Looking down the wide rugged trail as it leads to the blue sea and a tree covered peninsula ahead.

Looking down to a beach cove and a running on the other side nestled in the trees on the walk from Paignton to Brixham.

Elberry Cove was different from the other beaches on the walk so far. It was all shingle. It’s only a short one though, so not too much tough walking. On the other side of the beach, the coast path takes you up some steps and into the woods. A good chunk of the walk for the rest of the way to Brixham is now woods.

Wooden dirt steps leading uphill through the trees.

Walk through the woods to reach Brixham Harbour viewpoint

As I said, this bit of the walk goes on for quite some time. It’s mostly one path, but when you reach a trail spilt, take the left one keeping to the coastline.

a wide dirt trail as it splits in two and is separated by greenery.

A dirt trail leading through the woodland trees.

the wide dirt trail leading though short brick pillars and surrounded by trees.

Then quite suddenly, when not expecting it, things will open up ahead for a gorgeous view to some secluded beach coves and the boats of Brixham Harbour.

Looking through and opening in the trees towards the blue sea and some boats in the distance near the end of the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham.

Looking down to a sandy beach cove and surroudned by rugged landscape and trees.

Walk past Churston Cove and Fishcombe Cove

The coast path first takes you across Churston Cove, and onto a nice rugged bit of trail and up some more steps.

Rocky ground leading up to some rocks steps, with the sea ahead and to the left. There are trees on the peninsular on the other side of the blue water.

At the junction, take the left which goes down a path towards some houses, then take the left at the army looking building with a canon (you will know when you see it). This takes you down to Fishcombe Cove.

A path where it splits and a wooden trail signpost on the right.

At Fishcombe cove, walk to the right of it through the brick wall to pick up the trail.

The final stretch of the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham

At this point, the vibe completely changes. The trail feels very civilised and pretty with plants. You get a cool view across the whole of the English Riviera including Brixham a bit further along. As I got to Brixham Harbour, I even saw some swans floating.

A small trail leading down with bushes of hogweed at different pints along it. There are a couple of people walking on the trail. The sea is ahead to the left.

Looking across the sea towards peninsula and beach cove near the end of the coastal walk from Paignton to Brixham.

The blue sea with ripples and a few boats dotted about in Brixham Harbour.

When arriving in Brixham, walk down to the harbour walkway, and you should see the colourful buildings of Brixham up ahead. Walk towards them to reach the town centre.

Looking across the water to the rows of colourful houses in Brixham at the end of the coastal walk from Paignton.

Looking down the street in Brixham and colourful buildings ahead and up the hills. There are lots of people walking about on the street.

More coastal walk ideas near Paignton

For a detailed side by side, you can read about the best walks around Torquay or the best walks from Brixham. Below is a quick look at a few of them.

Brixham to Berry head circular is a relatively short one, which takes you up to Berry Head peninsular, which has the highest but also shortest lighthouse in Britain. There are also a few nice cliffy views thrown in for good measure.

Torquay to Babbacombe, I did this walk the next day, and was pleasantly surprised. Some truly stunning views and headland walking.

Teignmouth to Dawlish walk is one which follows the railway line for the majority of the route, with a dramatic backdrop of the big red cliffs.

Kingswear to Brixham is officially one of the hardest walks I have done. Maybe even the hardest. It’s a constant up and down with no in between, but you are very well rewarded with gorgeous cliffy coastline views and a few hidden beach coves.

Little Dartmouth Circular is over in Dartmouth, and is one of the first walks I did on my first visit to the area. It’s a lovely coastal walk with gentle hills.

Daymark coastal hike is along the coast path near Kingswear (south of Brixham). It’s a short walk, but quite hilly with great rugged coastline views.

For more walking ideas in Devon, you could check out the National Trust website.