The South West Coast Path National Trail (SWCP) measures a staggering 630 miles (1015km) from Minehead on the Somerset coast right round Devon & Cornwall to Poole in Dorset. The guidebook divides the route into 45 stages of between 12.5 to 37.5km, beginning & ending where amenities are available. Written by prolific outdoor writer Paddy Dillon, this guidebook is packed with lots of information for planning your walk, including clear step-by-step route descriptions & OS map extracts, public transport links, accommodation & facilities along the way. Also described is the 17-mile South Dorset Ridgeway, from West Bexington to Osmington Mills, which can be used as a scenic way to shave 42 miles off the total distance. This epic route takes in Exmoor National Park, five AONBs & the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, besides various nature reserves & SSSIs. No other stretch of coastline compares for scenic splendour, historical sites & availability of refreshments, accommodation & public transport, making it easy to split the South West Coast Path into week or weekend-long sections.