Devon
14 km / 9 miles
The South West Coast Path crosses the Avon by ferry, which is seasonal. This walk provides an alternative walking route for the South West Coast Path when the seasonal ferry between Bigbury (Cockleridge) and Bantham Slipway (River Avon) is not operating. It can also be walked as a circular route in its own right, with parking either at Bantham Sands or Aveton Gifford. The circular alternative is described here.
It is a circular route on both sides of the River Avon, along by the wooded banks of the tidal estuary. The Avon rises on Dartmoor and the estuary is tidal as far as Aveton Gifford.. There is a variety of birdlife, both resident and migratory, and seabirds breed in the creeks,
At Aveton Gifford the walk crosses the historic bridge over the saltmarsh that has linked Modbury to Kingsbridge. The version shown here on the mapping and gpx at Waterhead follows the paths and crosses the river. If this is not usable the obvious roads are an alternative.
The route travels along a road which floods at high tide, so check the tides before you leave. Directions are also given for an alternative route inland, bypassing this road. This adds a mile (1.6km) to the total distance.
The walk can be demanding, with some steep ascents and descents, stiles and steps, and footpaths which may be muddy, as well as green lanes and surfaced roads including the tidal road.
The route is shown here as a circular walk using the ferry and starting from the private car park at Bantham Sand that has toilets. There is also free parking at Aveton Gifford by the bridge. Bus service 93 travels to Aveton Gifford from Kingsbridge.
A route description with OS mapping is downloadable free from the South West Coast Path Association website with a link below.
Information from the South West Coast Path Association website.
Details:
| Path Type: |
Paths Marked on OS mapping |
| Waymark: |
Name and heron on blue plaques |
| Attributes: |
Paths marked on OS mapping
Challenging
Coastal
Forest/Woodland
River
Wildlife
|
| Start and Finish: |
SX664436 -
Bantham Sand Car Park, Devon
|
| User Group: |
South West Coast Path Association South West Coast Path Association
|
| Web Sites: |
Avon Estuary Walk - SWCPA
|
