Take a hike…
Devon is a haven for walkers from all over the UK, where they can make the most of the beautiful landscapes, from windswept coastlines and captivating moorland to rolling countryside and enchanting towns and villages.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker who takes regular walking holidays or you just fancy a bit of exercise with some great views along the way, Devon is, without doubt, one of the top spots for some truly unforgettable walks and cycling trails.
As if you needed any more proof of its appeal, Devon has not one but five designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including Blackdown Hills, East Devon, North Devon, South Devon, and Tamar Valley.
Any walks within these areas are guaranteed to deliver spectacular views and plenty of nature, from wildflowers in bloom to loads of birds and wildlife, so always make sure to take your camera on any walk in Devon to preserve those sightings for posterity.
South West Coastal Path
The South West Coastal Path is England’s longest, waymarked footpath and national trail and stretches for 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset. 194 miles of the path can be found in Devon with all kinds of walks and trails along the route.
The North Devon section stretches for 90 miles and offers incredible coastal views from Ilfracombe, Combe Martin, Lee Bay, and Morthoe. It also has one of the largest sand dunes in the UK at Braunton Burrows.
At the centre of the path lies the joint estuary of the Taw and Torridge rivers, which pass through towns such as Appledore, Instow, Bideford, Clovelly, and Westward Ho!
Explore South Devon
The 104-mile stretch of the South Devon section of the South West Coastal Path starts at Plymouth and passes through the Yealm and Erme estuaries, known for their birdwatching credentials and seaside villages such as Bigbury-on-Sea, Bantham, and Hope Cove.
The trail gets a bit more challenging, taking walkers through rolling valleys and steep cliffs before reaching the exposed peninsula at Start Point.
The trail then continues to Hallsands and Dartmouth. The final part of the South Devon section passes through nature-rich Berry Head to beautiful towns such as Paignton, Torquay, Teignmouth, and Dawlish.
Dartmoor National Park
Boasting 368 square miles of some of the most spectacular landscapes you’ll find anywhere, Dartmoor National Park has three visitor centres: Princetown, Postbridge, and Haytor, which are all great starting points for Devon walks.
A nice, easy walk of less than a mile takes in Fernworthy Reservoir, which has amazing views towards Thornworthy Tor and is known for its wildlife and birdwatching potential.
Something a little more challenging is a walk of around five miles along the Meldon Viaduct just west of Okehampton, which offers some simply breathtaking views of the edge of Dartmoor.
Exmoor National Park
One-third of the impressive Exmoor National Park is in Devon, and there are more delightful walks there than you can shake a Nordic walking pole at.
Follow in the footsteps of the Romantic poets with a hike along the 51-mile Coleridge Way. The beauty is you can take walks as short or as long as you want, depending on your fitness or how long you’ve got.
Try the Tarka Trail, a 180-mile circular trail that follows the wanderings of Tarka the Otter, as brought to life by writer Henry Williamson.
Walks for everyone
Devon has loads of wheelchair-accessible walks, but here are just a few to get you started:
- Starting from Bolberry Down National Trust, this one-mile circular trail heads towards Oceans Reach and is rewarded with some impressive wildflowers along the route.
- Following the Exe Estuary Trail, this two-mile wheelchair-friendly walk starts from Exmouth train station and offers impressive estuary views and sightings of birds and wildlife.
- Starting from Barnstaple, this trail follows the South West Coastal Path to Fremington Quay with stunning views of the Taw River.
From extreme walks scaling dramatic cliffs to gentle, wheelchair-accessible trails with fantastic views and everything in between, Devon has it all, so what are you waiting for? Check out our blog post to ensure your trip to Devon is packed with activities.
