Why Make My Own SWCP Resource Page?

If you’re not interested in the background, click here for the resource map page. Otherwise, read on.

I’ve been planning a thru-hike of the SWCP for a couple of years now, only to be disrupted by pandemics, life and a array of such things. Part of my planning has been to research camping, resupply & food options on the trail, especially from thru-hiker’s point of view. SWCPA does provide some of this information on their website and in the guide book, but I found it hard to use for my particular needs, and that resource map on the website just doesn’t seem to work in a way I’d like.

Last time I checked, apps like HIIKER have just hoovered up the Google Maps data and are showing camping sites which are not really accessible or available for hikers, as they are holiday parks and members only sites. HIIKER seems to be a decent app for trails that have fixed campsites which don’t change from year to year, whereas the campsites come and and go on the path.

I found there was no one single, easy to access resource for someone planning a longer section hike or thru-hike of the SWCP, so I made my own on Google Maps. It’s not perfect, nor complete, but allows quickly and easily have a overview of the whole trail and then zoom in to see what resources are available close to the trail, especially turning the layers on and off.

Firstly I put down itinerary pins, which show the destination of every day based on the 52 day itinerary on the SWPCA guide book. Then I scoured through the Google Maps & FB groups and marked down campsites which would allow hikers, walk-ins or one-nighters. I checked these details on their websites for each site. Next I added cafes & pubs, supermarkets & shops and finally toilets and water filling stops close to the path. All of these are on their separate layers, which allows easy way to display and hide the pins.

I put all this information on a single page for easy access, which you can find here or use the link on top of the page.

If you enjoy and use the path, please consider supporting the SWCPA. They spend a lot of time and money to keep it accessible for everyone.

I share this information with everyone with the disclaimer. The map is based on information from Google, Google Maps, Facebook forums etc, and while it’s been checked frequently and should be from relative trustworthy sources, there most likely will be inaccuracies and/or out-of-date information. Feel free to use this information at your own responsibility and if you find something that’s not right, let me know, so I can update the information.