This 1.5 hour hike takes in the BEST of East Devon

Ladram Bay to Sidmouth hike: a scenic cliff walk on the Jurassic Coast

The stretch of the South West Coast Path between Ladram Bay and Sidmouth is one of the most glorious parts of East Devon!

Home to red sandstone cliffs, rolling farmland and panoramic views over the English Channel, this hike is a fantastic way to take in East Devon’s EPIC scenery. 

It’s not a long hike (roughly 90 minutes each way) but it is absolutely charming. 

Parking and route start at Ladram Bay

Ladram Bay Holiday Park is the starting point for this walk – especially in the off-season. From November to March, it’s usually fine to park here – reception confirmed this to me when I asked. 

In high season, however, you won’t be able to drive in unless you’re a guest, so you’ll need to park in Otterton and walk down to the bay. 

This adds around 30 minutes but takes you along a permissive path through fields with views of the coastline – it’s a pretty start!

Once parked, head towards the edge of the caravan park to pick up the clearly marked South West Coast Path signs. 

The trail immediately climbs and dips across a series of grassy ridges, hugging the cliff edge with open views back towards Budleigh Salterton and forward to Sidmouth.

The trail: views, mud, and the High Peak challenge

The trail is straightforward to follow, though not always easy underfoot—especially in winter. 

It can be really muddy – but hiking poles will help if you’re doing this walk outside the summer months. Even in full sun, parts of the trail remain shaded and soggy.

High Peak is the halfway point and the highest elevation on this section. It’s a short detour up, and worth saving for the return journey if you want to keep momentum on the outward leg. 

From here, the path continues along fenced fields and the occasional stile, with uninterrupted sea views almost the entire way. The route remains rural until you begin your descent into Sidmouth.

You’ll know you’re approaching the town when the cliffs level out and a tarmac road appears, connecting the trail to the upper part of Sidmouth. 

From here, you can choose to follow the road down into town, or simply stop at the benches overlooking Sidmouth Beach for a break before turning back.

Sidmouth options and returning to Ladram Bay

If you’re not doing an out-and-back walk, there are a few transport options. 

On weekdays, you’ll find occasional buses between Sidmouth and Otterton, but they’re infrequent and don’t run at all on Sundays. A local taxi back to Ladram Bay or Otterton is usually the most reliable choice if you don’t want to hike back.

On this trip, it was a Sunday and I’d planned for a return hike, so I stopped near the edge of town, had some water, and retraced my steps. 

With the afternoon light casting long shadows across the cliffs, the views heading westward were just as striking.

Hiking notes

• Distance: Approx. 5.5 km each way (11 km round trip)
• Time: Around 1.5 hours each way
• Difficulty: Moderate. A few steep sections and a lot of mud in wet months
• Parking: Ladram Bay Holiday Park (off-season only). Otterton village otherwise
• Transport: Weekday buses between Sidmouth and Otterton; no Sunday service
• Facilities: Toilets and a café at Ladram Bay (seasonal), shops and amenities in Sidmouth

Check out some more amazing walks in Devon here or click here for my full South West Coast Path guide.