LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

South West Coastal Path No. 62              Total: 518 miles

Time Taken:     Cycle:     Distance:   Enjoyment:    Weather:  
3 hours                  n/a          5 miles         90%         Dull and Windy
Nature: Sea washing over promenade

 Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:  
  14oC        100%        20%       Good        Average Underfoot
Compantions:  Ann

General:
Second walk of the day.

We started the second day's walking by driving from Bitton Park
Road, Teignmouth, to park the car on Exeter Road, north Dawlish,
near the entrance to steps and a railway bridge to the sea wall. 
Ann & I caught the bus from the nearby bus stop to the Bus 
Station in the centre of Teignmouth for the 'Start of the Walk'. It 
was only a short distance to the promenade and the Teign 
Passenger Ferry on The Point. We walked north along the 
promenade, passing the Lighthouse to the Grand Pier. The pier 
was built in 1865 but it was closed, so we continued on our way, 
enjoying the scenery and the fresh sea air. As we reached the 
round conical shelter, the beach promenade changed to a sea wall 
towards Eastcliff and Hole Head. It was at this point we noticed 
how rough the sea was, crashing against the sea wall. We passed 
the Lookout Station and the railway line as we approached 
Eastcliff. It must have been a huge undertaking to complete the 
building of the railway, an enormous amount of money and a long 
time with no mechanical aids in those days. Trains passed us as 
we reached Spray Point towards the impressive Hole Head. We 
could see Shag Rock but it was a disappointment not to see the 
hole in the rock at Hole Head. As we neared the railway tunnel of 
Hole Head we descended the steps to a bridge under the railway 
where the small stream entered the sea and the path of the South 
West Coastal Path (SWCP) continued over the Head.  It was a short 
distance following the stream, then up Smugglers Lane to the A379 
main road, approximately 150 yards (approx 138 metres). We 
crossed the road with care and turned right along the road on the 
footpath. Near the summit of the main road we turned right again 
into Windward Lane just before a wooden seat. A short distance 
along the lane, we turned left from the lane up some steps towards 
the summit of the Head, along a hedged narrow path. As the path 
turned north before a steep incline down, there was a good view of 
the coastline and a glimpse of Kennaway Railway Tunnel. After the 
valley with a stream, the path turned left towards the main road, 
A379 just before the main road we turned right onto the quiet Old 
Teignmouth Road, passing some very attractive residences. At the 
A379 main road again, we immediately turned right along the path 
towards a small park and the coast. We found a great view of 
Dawlish and the coast north from the Path just before the descent 
into Dawlish. Here we could see how rough the sea was against 
the sea wall. We walked down the many steps to the sea wall and 
continued alongside it on the sea side of the railway line. We dodged 
the spray from the sea on our way to the beach and the Railway 
Station. As this point on the coast we looked south as we did many 
times, but this time we could see the hole in the rock of Hole Head. 
What a wonderful view! Approximately 400 yards (274 metres) past 
the railway station we climbed the steps to cross the railway bridge 
and further steps up to Exeter Road and the parked car. The 'End of 
the Walk'. This section of the walk is very different from most of the 
SWCP but nevertheless a most enjoyable adventure. We hope you 
have a lovely weather when walking this section of the SWCP. 
Unfortunately it was dull and misty on our day, which means one day 
we will have to go back and enjoy the scenery even more.


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