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south west coast 50

SOUTH WEST 50
Challenge Options

Sat 25 JULY 2026

50 km, 25 km, or 10 km

The Full 50 km loop challenge, with over 1600m of climb, starts from our basecamp beneath Dunster Castle, and heads to the coast and the official Minehead start of the famous 630 mile South West Coastal Path. With ‘half (25 km) options available, weekend camping packages at our basecamp, a family friendly 10K event, a bar & music – there’s a summer festival feel on this challenge!

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DO A QUICK ‘FLY THROUGH’…

A preview of the Challenge!

50 km Challenge

Dunster Loop

Sat 25 JULY 2026

Starting from our basecamp next to Dunster Castle it’s down to the coast and we pick up the official start of the South West Coastal path in Minehead and head west towards Porlock with fantastic views over the Bristol Channel. After a picnic lunch it’s into Exmoor National Park with amazing views and a climb up to Dunkery Beacon – the highest point on the moor – and then it’s down and back towards Minehead and to the welcome finish line back on the lawns at Dunster basecamp. This is a wonderful route with over 1600 metres of climb – and can be a part of a fantastic August weekend by the coast in the South West.

50 km &  ~1600 metres

  • Start: Dunster, nr Minehead 
  • Start times: – 6:45am for Trailblazerz; 7:00am- 8.30am for other runners’ joggers & walkers
  • Finish: Dunster, nr Minehead
  • Finish times: Runners 4 – 8 hrs, joggers 8 – 10 hrs, walkers 10 – 15 hrs

Every 10-15km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Snacks & drinks – every 10-15 km
  • 25 km – picnic lunch & fizzy drinks
  • 50 km – Hot meal
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit. These include:

  • Parking at The Lawns next to Dunster Start & Porlock 
  • Optional bus transfers from / to Taunton – Dunster basecamp
  • See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details

Dunster basecamp. Friday & Saturday

  • Camp overnight at our start / finish Dunster basecamp.
  • Full package or pitch only options
  • Motorhome option
  • Hot showers
  • Breakfast included Sat /  Sun morning & Fri evening meal option
  • Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details

There’s the ULTRA MARCH®category for walkers aiming to do 50 km in less than 12 hours

For 2026, there’s ULTRA TRAILBLAZERZ® for faster, competitive, runners with an eye on the clock and a ‘time goal’ of sub 7 hrs (male) & 7.5 hrs (female) for 50km on this challenge. 6.45am start.

Ultra Challenge® 50 km and 100 km events are fully ITRA-certified and officially recognised as UTMB Index races. 2 ITRA points available.

 ULTRA TRAILBLAZERZ INFO >> 

25 km & ~600 metres 

  • Start: Dunster, nr Minehead 
  • Start times: – 8:30am-9:00am
  • Finish: Dunster, nr Minehead
  • Finish times: Runners 2 – 4 hrs, joggers 4 – 5 hrs, walkers 5 – 8 hrs

Every 10-15km under marquees with support – toilets, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Snacks & drinks – every 10-15 km
  • 25 km (finish) – Hot finishers meal 
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit. These include:

  • Parking at The Lawns next to Dunster Start & Porlock 
  • Optional bus transfers from / to Taunton – Dunster basecamp

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details

Dunster basecamp. Friday & Saturday

  • Camp overnight at our start / finish Dunster basecamp.
  • Full package or pitch only options
  • Motorhome option
  • Hot showers
  • Breakfast included Sat /  Sun morning & Fri evening meal option
  • Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details

25 km LOOP

Dunster / Minehead Loop

Sat 25 JULY 2026

Starting from our basecamp which lies below the iconic Dunster Castle, it’s down to the coast and we pick up the official start of the South West Coastal path in Minehead and head west with fantastic views over the Bristol Channel. After a rest stop it’s into Exmoor National Park with amazing views, and then it’s down and back towards Minehead and to the welcome finish line back a on the lawns of Dunster base-camp. This is a wonderful route and can be a part of a fantastic August weekend by the coast in the South West.

1st half Challenge

1st 25km of 50km Route

Sat 25 JULY 2026

Dunster - Porlock

Starting from our basecamp next to Dunster Castle it’s down to the coast and we pick up the official start of the South West Coastal path in Minehead and head west with ups & downs towards Porlock with fantastic views over the Bristol Channel. This is a fantastic route with over 600 metres of climb – and can be a part of a fantastic August weekend by the coast in the South West.

25 km & ~ 600 metres

  • Start: Dunster basecamp
  • Start times: 8:00am – 8:30am 
  • Finish: Porlock 
  • Finish times: Runners 2 – 4 hrs, joggers 4 – 5 hrs, walkers 5 – 8 hrs

At your finish in Porlock  – toilets, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Finish Picnic Lunch –  glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit. These include:

  • Parking at The Lawns next to Dunster Start & Porlock 
  • Optional bus transfers from / to Taunton – Dunster basecamp
  • Optional transfer back from Porlock to Dunster basecamp

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details

Dunster basecamp. Friday & Saturday

  • Camp overnight at our start / finish Dunster basecamp.
  • Full package or pitch only options
  • Motorhome option
  • Hot showers
  • Breakfast included Sat /  Sun morning & Fri evening meal option
  • Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details

25 km & ~ 1000 metres

  • Start: Porlock 
  • Start times: 10am 
  • Finish: Dunster basecamp
  • Finish times: Runners 2 – 4 hrs, joggers 4 – 5 hrs, walkers 5 – 8 hrs

At your finish in Dunster  – toilets, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Finishers meal –  glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit. These include:

  • Parking at The Lawns next to Dunster Start & drop off at Porlock 
  • Optional bus transfers from / to Taunton – Dunster basecamp
  • Optional transfer to Porlock for your start (from Dunster)

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details

Dunster basecamp. Friday & Saturday

  • Camp overnight at our start / finish Dunster basecamp.
  • Full package or pitch only options
  • Motorhome option
  • Hot showers
  • Breakfast included Sat /  Sun morning & Fri evening meal option
  • Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details

2nd half Challenge

2nd 25km of 50km Route

Porlock - DUNSTER

Sat 25 JULY 2026

Starting from our rest stop in Porlock , it’s into Exmoor National Park with amazing views and a climb up to Dunkery Beacon – the highest point on the moor – and then it’s down and back towards Minehead and to the welcome finish line back on the lawns at Dunster basecamp. This is a magnificent route with over 1000 metres of climb – and can be an unforgettable part of a fantastic August weekend by the coast!

the dunster 10k

10 km Loop

Sat 25 JULY 2026

A fantastic 10K looped route from the basecamp that lies below Dunster Castle. The route explores stunning views of the Castle, ancient hill forts and wonderful trails through the estate woodlands & hills with magnificent views at the top. You’ll be rewarded with a medal, glass of fizz & an optional discounted BBQ meal to celebrate your achievements.

10 km & ~300 metres

  • Start: Dunster basecamp
  • Start times: 10:00am. Runners will set off first, then joggers & walkers
  • Finish: Dunster basecamp
  • Finish times: Runners 40 minutes – 1 hr,  joggers 1 – 2 hrs, walkers 2 – 3 hrs

At your finish in Dunster Castle – toilets, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Finish – optional ‘discounted’ finishers meal, glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking &  pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit. These include:

  • Parking on The Lawns at Dunster Start 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details

Dunster basecamp. Friday & Saturday

  • Camp overnight at our start / finish Dunster basecamp.
  • Full package or pitch only options
  • Motorhome option
  • Hot showers
  • Breakfast included Sat /  Sun morning & Fri evening meal option

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details

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