Hikes aim to raise cash to maintain coast path

Seven walking routes have been organised by the charity to help maintain the trail

Organised hikes have been set up to help raise money to maintain the South West Coast Path.

Trail bosses said seven routes had been arranged along the 630-mile (1,014km) track spanning Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

The South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA) said it costs at least £1,500 to look after every mile of the path annually, with damage caused by increased footfall, severe weather, coastal erosion and rising sea levels.

The first walk takes place on Saturday between Penzance and Marazion or Perranuthnoe, SWCPA said.

Entry for each walk is £20 for adults and £10 for children.

Other walks include a circular trek around Newquay along with routes from Barnstaple to Instow, Looe to Polperro, Paignton to Brixham, County Gate on Exmoor to Countisbury, and Weymouth to Lodmoor and Osmington.

'Unique haven'

SWCPA said the walking routes had been designed to make it easy for everyone to join in.

Aletha Mays, SWCPA's head of communications, said: "Many people use the path on a regular basis but don't realise the enormous amount of expense and work by the SWCPA, its partners and volunteers that it takes to keep the path accessible all year round.

"Signing up for a walk means we can all come together to ensure the path continues to offer a respite from the pressures of daily life, a unique haven for wildlife and important resource for visitors to the region."