|
Select a County
Please use the links below to view full route information including descriptions, elevation profiles, interactive maps and GPS downloads. You can also view an overview map of all the routes in the county here
Search for a Route: Go
|
 |
|
|
 |
| Devon Walks |
| Route Name | Pic | Distance | Description |
| Bere Peninsula Circular |  | 8 miles (13 km) | This circular ride takes you along the River Tamar and then the River Tavy with splendid views of the beautiful Tamar Valley AONB. You start at Bere Ferrers and head north along the River Tamar to Bere Alston before the route returns to its origin along the River Tavy. You will also pass near to the beautiful Lopwell Dam which is worth the small detour as you return.
The ride is easy to access from Bere Ferrers railway. It includes a few steep climbs but with terrific views at the high points. Much of the route follows the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail so is also suitable for walkers. |
| Channel to Channel |  | 50 miles (80 km) | This walk takes you from the English Channel to the Bristol Channel, through the Devon and Somerset countryside.
The walk begins on the south coast at Seaton in Devon, and first heads towrds Axminster, passing through Seaton Down and Colyton, crossing the River Coly as you go.
At Axminster, you join the River Yarty for a long riverside stretch towards Bishopswood, passing the Horse Pool Camp univallate Iron Age hill fort enclosure on the way.
The walk continues through the beautiful Blackdown Hills AONB, climbing Staple Hill which offers fabulous views as the highest point in the Blackdown Hills. You then descend through wooded areas and the village of Pitminster to Taunton, the county town of Somerset.
The path then takes you on from Taunton through the stunning Quantock Hills towards Cothelstone and then on to Stogumber. The final section takes you to the finish point at Watchet passing two historic sites on the way. First you will come to the Orchard Wyndham historic house, parts of which date from medieval times. Shortly after you come to the Battlegore Burial Chamber which is a Bronze Age burial chamber at Williton.
The end point of the walk is the lovely harbour town of Watchet which sits on the Bristol Channel. |
| Dart Valley Trail |  | 12 miles (19 km) | This beautiful trail takes you along the River Dart from Totnes to Dartmouth
The trail passes through the villages of Ashprington, Cornworthy and Dittisham before finishing at Dartmouth Harbour.
Highlights near the route include the splendid National Trust owned Greenway Estate. Formerly owned by Agatha Christie it boasts an 18th century Georgian house and lovely riverside gardens.
This is a fairly easy walk with very few climbs and links with the South West Coast Path. |
| Dartmoor Ramble |  | 50 miles (80 km) | A wonderful circular walk around the fascinating Dartmoor National Park with plenty of lovely riverside walking and some challenging climbs.
The walk starts near the car park at Bellever and first follows the East Dart River through Postbridge and on to Sittaford Tor where you will pass the historical Grey Wethers Stone Circle. Challenging climbs on Whitehorse Hill and Hangingstone Hill follow, offering fabulous views of Dartmoor and the surrounding areas.
The walk continues past Oke Tor to the town of Okehampton where you will pass the ruins of the 11th century Okehampton Castle. You then join the East Okemont River and the River Taw for two pleasant waterside stretches which lead you to the little village of Sticklepath. From here you head south towards Teigncombe where you join the River Teign for another riverside section which passes Chagford and the Wooton Castle Iron Age Hill fort before reaching the delightful Meadhaydown Wood Nature Reserve.
The route then turns west towards Moretonhampstead (notable for having the longest one-word name of any place in England) and onto Bovey Castle and then the fascinating Grimspound Bronze Age settlement which consists of a set of 24 hut circles surrounded by a low stone wall.
The final section takes you past the wooded Soussons Down to the finish point back at Bellever. |
| Dartmoor Way |  | 86 miles (138 km) | This walk takes you on a tour of the wonderful Dartmoor National Park.
You will pass through Okehampton, Chagford, Moretonhampstead, Buckfastleigh, Princetown and Tavistock as you make your way around this circular route. The scenery is varied with wild upland, valleys, and waterfalls among the features of the park.
Route highlights include lovely waterside sections along the River Bovey near Bovey Tracey and then along the River Teign approaching Chagford. The castle at Okehampton and the splendid Lydford Gorge with its waterfall and water pools are other attractions on this interesting and varied walk. |
| East Devon Way |  | 40 miles (64 km) | This walk follows the East Devon Way along the Exe Estuary and then through the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to finish at Uplyme near the Dorset/Devon border. The walk takes you across a variety of landscapes including heathland, woodland and valleys and also includes some lovely riverside stretches.
You start in Exmouth and follow the Exe Estuary to Lympstone where you turn east towards Harpford, crossing the East Devon Commons and the RSPB Aylesbeare Nature Reserve as you go.
The route continues through Harpford Woods and Harpford Common before a stretch through the Beacon Hill Nature Reserve takes you to the village of Sidbury and then onto Northleigh. Shortly after you join a pleasant riverside stretch along the River Coly taking you into Colyton.
Another waterside section along the River Axe takes you to Musberry Hill where there are splendid views of the Axe Valley.
The final leg then takes you from Musberry to Uplyme where you finish by the River Lym.
For an excellent leaflet from East Devon AONB please click here |
| Erme Plym Trail |  | 17 miles (27 km) | Follow the Erme - Plym trail from Ivybridge to Laira Bridge on the outskirts of Plymouth on this pleasant walk through Devon
You start on the River Erme in Ivybridge and follow the river to south Ermington before heading west to Yealmpton via Flete and Butland Wood.
The route continues through Brixton and Combe before arriving at the outskirts at Plymouth where you will pass the lovely Hooe Lake before finishing on Laira Bridge over the River Plym. |
| Exe Valley Ride |  | 7 miles (11 km) | This lovely easy ride or walk follows the River Exe, the Exeter Canal and NCN route 2 from Exeter to Exminster.
Highlights include Exeter's attractive quay, views of the Exe esutaury and the Riverside Valley Park.
Please click here for more information on this route. |
| Exe Valley Way |  | 45 miles (72 km) | The walk starts in Starcross on the banks of the River Exe Estuary and heads through through Powderham Deer Park and then along the Exter canal to Exeter.
The next section continues along the River Exe to Tiverton via Thorverton and Bickleigh.
The final section takes you from Tiverton into the Exmoor National Park where you will pass through Dulverton before the finish at Hawkridge in Somerset.
For an excellent guide to this walk please click here |
| Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton Railway Path |  | 4 miles (7 km) | This is a nice easy cycle or walk along the disused railway path running from Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton.
It runs along NCN route 2 through rolling countryside and woodland. The path is ideal for families looking for a safe, easy route. |
| Grand Western Canal |  | 24 miles (38 km) | This splendid waterside walk takes you from Tiverton in Devon to Taunton in Somerset.
The first section of the walk takes you from Tiverton to Greenham along the towpath of the Grand Western Canal. At Greenham you join the West Deane Way and the walk changes as you start following the dry bed of the canal. However, the waterside aspect continues as you also join the River Tone which takes you through Bradford on Tone and then onto the finish point in Taunton.
For more information on this lovely walk please click here |
| Granite Way |  | 11 miles (18 km) | This lovely, largely off road trail runs from Okehampton to Lydford through the
Dartmoor National Park. It passes along a disused railway path and forms part of National Cycle Network Number 27 but is suitable for both cyclists and walkers.
The route begins in Okehampton and takes you towards Meldon where you will pass Meldon Viaduct and a delightful bluebell wood. You continue onto the pretty village of Sourton before passing Lake Viaduct where the scenery is particularly lovely. The final section then takes you to the village of Lydford where you will pass the noteworthy castle and church. You then come to the finish point at the impressive Lydford Gorge with its dramatic scenery which includes waterfalls and and a series of whirlpools known as the 'Devil's Cauldron'.
For an excellent full guide to the trail please click here |
| Ilfracombe to Ossaborough Railway Path |  | 5 miles (8.5 km) | This is a nice easy short walk or cycle along the disused London and South Western Railway Ilfracombe Branch Line, from Ilfracombe to Mortehoe and Woolacombe railway station.
The route starts off by the pier in Ilfracombe and soon joins the railway path on the outskirts of the town. It then heads south passing Slade Reservoirs while giving a great view of the beautiful surrounding countryside. The route follows NCN route 27 for the duration and with most of it traffic free it's a good choice for families. |
| Plymouth's Waterfront Walkway |  | 10 miles (16 km) | A nice easy walk along a section of the south west coast path which highlights the city's history and heritage. The walk links the Cremyll Ferry landing stage on the shores of the Tamar with Jennycliff on the eastern side of Plymouth Sound. |
| Ridge and Valley Walk |  | 12 miles (19 km) | Follow the valley of the River Dart on this lovely walk through Devon.
The walk starts at Eggesford Barton near the train station and heads towards Chawleigh and then Leigh Bridge where you join the river. The route continues to West and East Worlington before finishing at Witheridge. |
| Tamar Valley Discovery Trail |  | 30 miles (48 km) | This beautiful trail takes you through the Tamar Valley AONB from Tamerton Foliot in Devon to Launceston in Cornwall. You start by heading north towards the Lopwell area of natural beauty where you will cross the River Tavy. The route continues north towards Calstock joining the River Tamar for a splendid waterside stretch through Gunnislake and Luckett. You then leave the river heading through Milton Abbot before crossing the river again at Dunterton and proceeding to the finish at Launceston.
Please click here for more information on this route. |
| Tarka Trail |  | 79 miles (127 km) | This wonderful walk through Devon follows the path taken by Tarka the Otter in the book of that name. It is a circular walk starting and finishing in Barnstaple on the River Taw. After following the river for a short section you will head through Landkey Newton and East Buckland to the Exmoor National Park. The route then reaches Lynmouth where a splendid coastal section that takes you through Ilfracombe, Woolacombe and Croyde. The final section follows the estuary of the River Taw through Braunton and then back into Barnstaple.
Please click here for more information |
| Teignmouth and Dawlish Way |  | 17 miles (27 km) | These two lovely coastal towns are connected by this popular walk devised by Teignmouth and Dawlish Ramblers. The walk begins at Teignmouth pier and heads inlands through some beautiful countryside and pretty villages before heading back to the coast at Dawlish. The last section returns you to Teignmouth via Holcombe. |
| Two Castles Trail |  | 24 miles (38 km) | Follow the Two Castles trail from Devon into Cornwall and enjoy beautiful countryside, woodland and downland. The route starts at Okehampton castle and heads east through Sourton, Stowford, Lewtrenchard and Lifton to Launceston, finishing near Launceston castle.
Walk highlights include a lovely stretch along the West Okement river and through Okehampton Golf Course at the start, followed by a walk through Meldon Wood and past Meldon Reservoir. Other highlights include a stretch through Borley Wood near Lewtrenchard and the Dingles Steam Village near Stowford. |
| Two Counties Way |  | 56 miles (90 km) | Travel through Somerset and Devon on this beautiful walk from Taunton to Starcross. There is much to enjoy on this varied walk with peaceful waterside sections along the River Tone, the Grand Western Canal and the River Exe real highlights. Also stop for a visit at the lovely National Trust owned Killerton Estate. This 18th century house boasts a historic fashion exhibition and stunning gardens.
The route passes Wellington, Sampford Peverell, Tiverton, Bickleigh, Exeter and Powderham before finishing on the Exe Estuary at Starcross. |
| West Devon Way | | 35 miles (57 km) | Explore the western edge of the Dartmoor National Park on this walk through beautiful Devon.
The route begins in Okehampton and passes through Sourton, Lydford, Mary Tavy, Tavistock and Bickleigh before finishing in the maritime city of Plymouth.
Trail highlights include the picturesque Meldon Reservoir and the town of Lydford with its noteworthy castle and nearby Lydford Gorge . There are also lovely waterside stretches along the River Tavy near Tavistock and along the River Plym into Plymouth.
For an excellent full guide to this route from Devon CC please click here. |
 |
| |
 |
|
|
| Devon Walking Links |
| Name | Description |
| Dartmoor National Park Authority | An excellent resource for this beautiful area |
| East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty | The East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) landscape is characterised by intimate wooded combes, vast areas of heathland, fertile river valleys and breathtaking cliffs or hilltops. |
| East Devon CC | East Devon Countrsyide Pages |
| Jurrasic Coast | The Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site is England's first natural World Heritage Site - it is known as The Jurassic Coast |
| North Devon Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty | All you need to know for a visit to this stunning area |
| South Devon Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty | A wealth of information including countryside, landsape, wildlife and walking trails |
|
|
Photos provided by Panoramio. Photos are under the copyright of their owners.