8 - Woolacombe to Saunton

Stage Distance: 8.5 miles (Total Distance: 57.5 miles)

Not a great forecast with heavy rain due at about 3.00pm but you never know!  On leaving the road, the walk passes through the dunes (nice to see a couple of Wheatear flying ahead of us).  On joining Marine Drive at the back of the dunes, the path continues on past Vention to Putsborough.  After lunch on a bench overlooking Putsborough Sand we followed the  gorse-lined  path out to Baggy Point enjoying some unexpected sun.  Climbers were busy on the flat rocks at the Point.  Views of Lundy Island are apparently good from here.  Not a sign of it!

On rounding the Point, Croyde Sand soon comes into view.  The path following the cliff edge passes an unexpected whale vertebra and reaches Croyde  where a very well-placed café exerts it’s attraction. 

One cream tea later (shared, mind you) and the promised rain looks imminent.  Walking across Croyde Sand threatens to be wet but it comes to nothing.  Woolacombe appears less lucky though, looking back. 

The path leaves the sand and climbs up past the old coastguard lookout to join the road.  At this point there is a choice; continue back along the road to Saunton or take an alternative loop climbing up behind the road and descend to rejoin it opposite the Saunton Sands Hotel.  The loop is more enjoyable but obviously longer.  On rejoining the road at the hotel, the path continues through the hotel grounds and descends to the car park.

Logistics: Parked at Saunton and caught the 308 bus to Bruunton and the 303 bus to Woolacombe.
GPS Track: 8- Woolacombe to Saunton(20110312).kmz 
Images: 8 - Woolacombe to Saunton