LITMIR.BIZ

      The South West Coast Path is waymarked, but route-finding is still important

      The South West Coast Path is a National Trail, so it’s well signposted and waymarked from start to finish. Signposts may simply state ‘Coast Path’, or waymark posts may carry nothing more than a direction arrow and an ‘acorn’ symbol. Some signposts will give destinations further along the trail, and may also indicate the distances to those places. In urban areas, where the route may turn left and right in quick succession through busy streets, there might be no signposts, or they may be lost among other distracting signs and notices. In some cases, metal ‘acorn’ discs might be set into the pavement, or ‘acorn’ stickers might be applied to lamp posts. It’s often the case that route-finding is more difficult in urban areas than it is on a remote stretch of coast!

      The South West Coast Path is exceptionally well maintained, but a coastal trail of this length will always require attention somewhere along its course. In some cases, stretches that get overgrown will be cut back once or twice a year. Damage to signposts, stiles and footbridges won’t be attended to until someone reports them. If a problem is spotted, report it using the online facility on the South West Coast Path website (www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk), and in the author’s experience, they’ll probably respond within two days and tell you they fixed a minor problem!

      Damage to the path itself may result in diversions, if it becomes dangerous to continue. Serious problems take longer to fix. Any detours put in place should be clearly marked, and information should be available on the website. Problems that can’t be fixed will result in permanent re-alignment of the route, so beware if using an old map or guidebook.

Rescue services

      Rescue services can be alerted by dialling 999 (or the European emergency number 112) from any telephone. On some popular beaches there may be a phone dedicated as an emergency line. The coastguard service is able to coordinate assistance from the police, ambulance, fire service and lifeboat as necessary. You cannot call for a helicopter, but based on the information you provide, one of the emergency services may request a helicopter to assist. Always give as much information as possible, especially as to the location and nature of an accident, then await further instructions.

      Walkers don’t often suffer accidents on the Coast Path, but it makes sense to walk with care near cliff edges and always be on the lookout for unstable edges, landslips and rockfalls. Tread carefully on steep and uneven paths. Always check the weather forecast and be aware that heavy rain or strong winds can make walking difficult or even dangerous.

      Walkers who want to go swimming should read the warning notices posted at the most popular beaches, and check local conditions with lifeguards if they are present. In out-of-the-way places, don’t go swimming without a good understanding of the nature of the sea.