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They walk the path for a variety of reasons. For the challenge, the exercise, the views. To find companionship or seek solitude. Some walk with a sense of escaping problems, others with the idea of striding towards a goal.
Many more are expected to head to the South West Coast Path, the 630-mile route around the shores of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset as the film The Salt Path hits cinema screens.
The movie, starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, is based on the book of the same name by Raynor Winn telling the story of how she and her husband, Moth, took to the path after being forced from their home and found peace, resilience and healing.
A gala screening takes place close to the path at the Lighthouse Cinema in Newquay, Cornwall, on Tuesday before its UK release on 30 May – and the hope is that more people will be inspired to walk it.
People such as Jennifer Lessard, 45, from New York, who was found walking a stretch of the path in Torbay, south Devon. “It’s just so beautiful,” she said as she looked across a tree-lined bay. She plans to walk the path a few sections at a time during the visits to the UK. “It may take me 20 years,” she said.
Though in the US she has mammoth paths such as the Pacific Crest Trail to go at, the South West Coast Path is a bit more manageable. “I feel safe here walking by myself,” Lessard said. But it is grand enough to be a challenge (if you walk the whole thing it is the equivalent of ascending Mount Everest four times). “It’s life-affirming to walk,” said Lessard. “And I like the pubs at the end of the day. I’m into real ale.”
British twins Roy and Paul Saxton, 75, were also walking this Devon section. They live more than 300 miles apart and get together for walking holidays. “It’s a great way for us to meet and catch up,” said Roy. Psychologists have noted that walking is a good time to have difficult conversations – you are side by side but not engaging with eye contact. “It’s very sociable,” said Paul. “You meet such lovely people.”
Martyn Green, 38, and his dog Rolo, were doing 30 miles of the path in a day. He is pretty much a full-time walker of the UK’s coastal paths, recording his adventures on TikTok. “I don’t have any permanent abode; I float,” he said. Usually next to the sea. “I love it – you never see anyone unhappy on the beach. When you’re close to water you tend to be happy.”
Tourism leaders in the south-west are looking forward to a boost in walker numbers on the back of the film.
Jon Hyatt, the chair of Visit Cornwall, said there had been “significant” interest from domestic and international audiences. “Last week we welcomed two influencers from the Netherlands on a Salt Path-themed visit, timed with the film’s premiere there,” he said.
Emma Thomasson, CEO of Visit Exmoor, said the film showcases locations across the area. “We hope and expect that this will inspire a broad range of visitors from home and abroad. It’s a great opportunity to show what’s here for everyone.”
Julian Gray, the director of the South West Coast Path Association, the charity that looks after trail, said the film was timely as there had been a downturn in visitors in recent years.
Factors such as rising prices, the increased interest in travelling overseas since the pandemic and the loss of foreign seasonal workers post Brexit have put tourism in south-west Britain under pressure.
“I think the film will raise awareness of the path and give us a chance engage with people about the transformational nature of trails,” said Gray.
On any given day about 25,000 people may be walking the path (though so spaced out it never feels busy). It brings in £500m a year to the south-west economy and the public health benefits are judged to be worth tens of million more.
There are lots of positives. The charity has noticed that more lone women, younger people and families are walking the trail. The charity is working hard on equity of access, making sure that people such as refugees and older people get a chance to walk it.
But the costs of maintaining it are high, and rising steeply. It costs about £1,600 per mile, per year, to keep the path in good shape and clearly signed – more than £1m. Seven years ago, it cost £1,100 a mile.
The climate emergency is putting huge pressure on the trail. “What we’re seeing with climate change is a speeding up of the frequency of storms and an increase in their intensity,” said Gray. “We’re having to deal with erosion and diversions far more often.”
It took three months to clear part of the path when Storm Darragh hit in December, bringing down trees and causing stretches to crumble. Wildfires have affected the path in Zennor in Cornwall and Bolberry Down, near Salcombe.
Gray said: “I see the film as an opportunity to engage with people on how they can make a difference to protect and enhance this world-class trail. If we want it for future generations, we need people to keep supporting us.”
