What South West Coast Path stage 3 offers
South West Coast Path stage 3 is a 20 km stretch of the Cornwall coast at Bude. When you set out, you follow a route that hugs the clifftops and looks straight out over the Atlantic. Because it is a coast path, you can expect uneven ground, stiff breezes and long views across the water. This stage is one section of a much longer trail, so you can walk it as a single day or split it around stops near Bude. The route data comes from Open Government Licence mapping, which means the path follows a defined public line. Pack for changeable weather, because the coast can turn from clear to drizzly in a short while. Sturdy shoes help on the rough patches. Also, keep an eye on the tide if you drop down to any beach, since access can change with the water.
How the walk fits around Bude
Bude is a small coastal town that works well as a starting point for this stage. You can park near the town and join the path on foot, then return the same way or arrange a lift. Because the stage is 20 km, many walkers treat it as a full day with a stop for food in Bude before or after. The path itself is linear, not a loop, so plan how you will get back to your start point. Nearby, the town has shops and places to buy supplies for the walk. Then, once you are on the coast, you leave the streets behind and follow the grass and rock edges. This makes the stage feel remote even when Bude is close behind you. You also pass through areas where the land slopes steeply to the sea, so take your time on descents. A walking pole can help on the climbs.
A practical day out on the trail
If you plan to walk South West Coast Path stage 3 in a day, start early and carry water. The route is 20 km, which for most people means five to seven hours of walking without long stops. Because there are no facilities on the path itself, carry all food and drink you need. Bude is the best place to buy these before you start. Public transport and taxis serve the town, so you can use those to position a car at your end point or return to your accommodation. The path is exposed, so sun cream and a hat matter even on cool days, and a waterproof layer helps when the sea mist rolls in. After a long stage, Bude makes a simple place to rest and find a meal. Because the coast path links many settlements, you can also use this stage as part of a longer walking holiday in Cornwall.
Explore Bude, or discover Cornish towns and villages.
