On dry land

Walking

There is over 3,500 miles of footpath in Devon, plenty to occupy the Sunday afternoon stroller and the seasoned hiker alike. A variety of spectacular and picturesque long- and short-distance footpaths awaits you. Some have literary connections, others historic, but all have fascinating points of interest. The Two Moors Way is taxing, but rewards with wonderful contrasts of scenery, whilst the Two Castles Trail also offers a Victorian workhouse en route. The jewel in the crown is the South West Coast Path, Devon's only National Trail, with 205 miles of matchless coast. If you don’t want to worry about carrying your belongings, try an organised walking holiday in Devon where your luggage is delivered to the next stop. The recently launched Drakes Trail offers a network of routes covering much of West Devon for walkers and cyclists alike.

Cycling

Nearly 150 miles of the National Cycle Route are in Devon including the scenic Tarka Trail and the splendid Coast to Coast - one for the truly fit! Designed to give visitors memories to treasure, you'll find these routes exciting yet safe for families and novice cyclists. There are plenty of places to hire a bike and activity centres that offer guided cycling trips. If mountain bikes, steep hills, fun trails and muddy routes are your scene, there are plenty of places to satisfy, like Woodbury Common and Haldon Forest Park.

Horse Riding 

Horse riding in Devon can include riding across open moorland, hacking down country lanes and even galloping along the beach. Beginners or more experienced horse riders, all agree that the joys of trekking across Dartmoor or Exmoor are hard to beat. You can ride out on the open moor, trot along woodland trails and bridleways, or follow in the hoof prints of medieval traders along the historic byways linking towns and villages.
There is a choice of excellent stables to choose from and if you don't have a horse, or are a novice in the saddle, first-class stables throughout Devon can offer you a good horse, tuition and an experienced guide.

Something different

For something different, try Letterboxing –this strange-sounding activity, originating in Dartmoor, involves finding a series of small pots (the letterboxes) containing a stamp and visitors' book that is hidden on the moor. A clue is written to lead others to its position. Clues may be as simple as a map reference and list of compass bearings, or may be more cryptic. When a letterbox is found, the ‘letterboxer’ uses the stamp to record the find in their own books or on a series of cards, and then mark the visitors’ book in the box with their own personal stamps.

Extreme Sports

For adventure seekers, there are activities galore in the county. Defy logic and reason by stepping backwards over the top of a cliff, or start at the bottom and climb up! There are abseiling and rock-climbing hot spots throughout Devon. For beginners there are training centers where skilled instructors can guide you and practice walls for all levels to hone their skills.

On four wheels

For adventures on four wheels, try quad biking or off-road driving for a real mud-splattering thrill of a day. If you’re driven by the competitive urge, go kart racing on one of the purpose-built tracks or even kite-buggying on the beach.

Golf

For a more leisurely pursuit there is a great choice of golf courses in Devon. Whether you’re a novice or already sport an impressive handicap, there is a course to suit you, although the stunning natural backdrops can be a distraction. Many of Devon's golf courses are going greener by the day too with many boasting green tourism awards highlighting their commitment to our natural environment.

Country sports

For country sports enthusiasts you can spend an afternoon clay-pigeon shooting or a short break hunting, fishing and riding.

Spectator Sports

If you prefer to watch, there are spectator sports throughout the year including football and rugby matches such as the National League 1 side Exeter Chiefs, equestrian events at centres such as Bicton Arena and the two excellent race-courses at Newton Abbot and Exeter. There are also sailing regattas and cycle races throughout the summer and powerboat racing as part of Plymouth Summer Festival.

From the air

To see Devon from the air, there are flying courses from the airports and airfields in the county or take a helicopter flight across the rugged moors and dramatic cliffs. For an engine-free option try a glider or microlight, soaring effortlessly on thermals. For the ultimate flying experience try sky diving where you really can get a bird’s eye view of Devon.