Route Barnstaple to Bude

Having given up on a Scottish walk in June because of the midges. I would like some advice on a southern trip. I now have in mind to continue my sectional End to End from Cape Wrath currently down from there to Barnstaple. Going down to Lands End eventually most likely all on the SWCP from Bude. Could I get a route on paths particularly the section to avoid trekking around the headland south of Bideford i.e straightish from Bideford to Bude.Wouldn't mind seeing Dartmoor but as yet cannot see doing that without adding a lot of miles.

Long time since I did the SWCP - but that coastal section is great iirc.

But - looking at maps, yes you could stick together a route; personally I'd find it a pretty frustrating way to go as it would involve jinking between fields (where I always get lost) and some road sections - but doable, yes.

but but but...

the Hartland Quay to Bude walk is  accepted as the toughest, wildest,section of the SWCP as well as being geologically interesting.  Quite few great options for great wildcamps

finding an alternative inland route is only great if you are more into grass, mud  and cows and constantly looking at the maps for footpaths and field access/exit points.

I'd concur with Ed and Mole.

It may look a bit of a fag schlepping round the estuaries of the rivers Taw and Torridge (at, respectively, Barnstaple and Bideford) and it is 20-odd miles from Westward Ho to Hartland, passing Clovelly on the way. It's very pretty and its easy but it is not stunning or dramatic.

However, as you approach Hartland Point the SWCP starts to get interesting. The next 25-odd miles south past Bude to Crackington Haven has IMO some of the finest walking of the whole SWCP. The route is rugged with high cliffs and, except around Bude and Widemouth, it is remote and usually more or less deserted.

Of course, if you spent an evening studying OS 1:50000 sheet 190 ('Bude, Clovelly & surrounding area') you could work out a more-or-less direct route between Bideford and Bude across reasonably empty countryside with the only villages of any size being Buckland Brewer and Bradworthy. But I've just had a look at the map myself and I suspect you'd be walking mostly on minor roads because, away from the coastal strip and immediately round the villages, there seem surprisingly few public footpaths and bridleways that would hook up into an all-off-road route.

Me, I'd far sooner walk the wonderful windswept coastal path high on the cliffs above the Atlantic. 

PS: or you could just hop on the bus (Stagecoach , service 85) from Barnstaple to Bude via Holsworthy.

You just might be talking me into the coastal route, seems a shame to short cut if it is that good around there and I be wild camping. Looking for gaps in hedges can slow you down.

My last stage Bath to Barnstaple involved lots of fields and I was blessed with having 1:25K maps which I don't usually carry. Last time down there I did discover that, especially when wet, tall wet sweet corn is worse than oil seed rape to walk through.