Visiting Devon this half term and want to get out in the fresh air? Check out our suggestions for walking routes suitable for the whole family.
There are loads of opportunities to get out and explore the region, so we’ve split our walks up into regions to help you find the best one for you.
East Devon
East Devon is a good choice for a family holiday because of the acres of green space to explore and of course, the Jurassic Coast – perfect for rockpooling and fossil hunting. This part of Devon encompasses the East Devon Way, which has a host of different walking and cycling paths, the South West Coast Path, where you can collect stamps in your passport for certain routes and loads of great family friendly attractions.
Salcombe Hill Circular Walk | Sidmouth
This route starts and ends at the Salcombe Hill Car Park in Sidmouth and is a total of five miles. With coastal and wooded spots, it is a good one for enjoying the diversity of Devon’s landscape, plus the Donkey Sanctuary is along the route and their café offers some lovely refreshments!
Queen’s Drive to Sand Bay | Exmouth
This trail follows through route along Exmouth Beach so is great for sunny days out at seaside. You can even bring your dog along, as dogs are welcome at the Queen’s Drive end of the beach and at only three miles with mostly flat terrain, it is suitable for most walkers.
North Devon
North Devon is famous for its beaches, so you’ll find a host of coastal walks available to you around here. The South West Coast Path cuts through the region as well as the Two Moors trail, which you can pick up on Exmoor and follow through to Dartmoor.
Heddons Mouth | Barnstaple
At just two miles and being mostly level, this walk which is accessible via Barnstaple’s National Trust shop will take you through woodland and along riverside paths before you get to a small beach. The beach is often overlooked for the more popular surfing spots around North Devon, so it can be like spending the day somewhere private before turning back and heading towards town.
Baggy Point | Braunton
One of the most popular walking routes in North Devon, Baggy Point is managed by the National Trust and offers incredible views over Croyde and Saunton. Families will love the Easy Access Walk which you can pick up at the carpark before following the trail along to the headland before making your way back to the carpark.
South Devon
Featuring the English Riviera, the city of Plymouth and the picturesque areas of Salcombe, Dartmouth and Kingsbridge, South Devon is an incredibly popular place for family holidays because of the abundance of seaside resorts and attractions. The South West Coast Path travels through parts of the region, as well as several other routes through the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Froward Point | Kingswear
This two mile route is a great one for anyone studying WWII at school or who has an interest in history as it will take you towards a former gun emplacement. Froward Point was originally built during the war to allow for defensive access. Start at the Brownstone carpark and stop off at the dedicated viewing points along the way to enjoy the sights.
Dartmouth Castle and Compass Cove | Dartmouth
At just under 4 miles, this is one of the longer routes on our list, but if you’re looking for something picturesque with lots of interesting things to look at along the way, it’s a good option. Start off at Dartmouth Castle and then follows a route that is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Mid-Devon
If you want a chance to explore the whole county, Mid Devon is a great base. The region is mostly rural and has some lovely market towns to explore, as well as good links to both National Parks and the surrounding areas.
Grand Western Canal: Tiverton Road to Canal Hill | Tiverton
The Grand Western Canal is a great place to visit if you want to get the family outside in the fresh air. Not only do you have the canal path to follow but there are also plenty of picnic spots, the visitor centre full of children’s activities and options like kayaking and the horse drawn barges to experience. An easy walking route around Tiverton is this one along the Canal, start just off Tiverton Road and head south on the canal following the route along and then return the same way. There are toilets, cafés and other facilities along the route too, so although it is a longer walk, you’ll find plenty of amenities along the way.
Copplestone Circular | Crediton
At just under 3 miles, this easy route can be completed in a morning or an afternoon and will give you a chance to immerse yourself in Devon’s more rural areas. Start at the train station and head out into the countryside. This route can be made longer if you want to do a full loop back to the train station, otherwise, walk for around three miles before making your way back. It does cover a lot of open space though so make sure you have sensible shoes and clothes to hand before setting off!
Dartmoor
The Dartmoor National Park is one of the best places to explore Devon’s natural playground and with the park embracing the Miles without Stiles campaign, there are loads of accessible routes suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and other mobility aids.
Fisherman’s Path
Just over 3 miles, Fisherman’s Path is a good walk with a clear path and is an easy-going route which is suitable for most, though it can be a little uneven in places. This is a popular route for anyone looking to do a bit of birdwatching or to see the ponies as it takes in a lot of the park’s wild habitats. Start and finish at the Forge Bridge Inn, simply follow the loop around the river.
Haytor Quarry Loop
At just under 2 miles, this is a great one for those who aren’t all that keen on walking or who want to spend all day outside. It's considered to be one of the easier routes around Dartmoor and dogs are welcome to go off lead. The route will take in the former granite tramway, the old quarry and Haytor rocks, starting and ending at the quarry.
Find more great walking routes below.
