As it is National Pet Month and Devon is known for its abundance of wonderful walking spots perfect for exploring with your dog, we thought we’d share some of our favourite walks around the county.
These walks can all be found along the South West Coast Path, so there’s no risk of getting lost and we’ve even split them up into easy, moderate and challenging walks, so you can find the perfect route to suit you and your furry friend.
Easy walks
Bolberry Down
An easy circular walk that is relatively flat and has been adapted for those using wheelchairs and pushchairs by the National Trust who manage the land, so this is a great one for all visitors. It is less than two miles in total, so is a nice gentle route that won’t take all day.
Bolberry Down is a very picturesque area in South Devon and has several paths to explore, in the spring, the heath is full of wildflowers, while in the summer months you can catch butterflies fluttering around. There are even a couple of dog friendly pubs you can find in the area – perfect for refreshments!
Start and end at Bolberry Down National Trust, use postcode TQ7 3DY.
Noss Mayo
Noss Mayo is one of the most beautiful coastal areas of South Devon and is popular with those that love crystal clear waters and pretty scenery, so though this is a longer walk, it is worth it. At just over 4 miles, this circular walk will take you along wooded riverbanks, the villages of Noss mayo and Newton Ferrers towards Revelstoke Drive and the coast itself. Much like the walks at Bolberry Down, this one can also be accessed using wheelchairs and pushchairs in certain areas, you can find out more about accessibility on the South West Coast Path here. https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/about-coast-path/about-SWCP/easy-access-walks/
Start and end at Warren Car Park in Noss Mayo, use postcode PL8 1EW.
Moderate walks
East Portlemouth and Gara Rock
At just under four miles, this walk is good for dogs as it takes in a couple of beaches where dogs are welcome, including East Portlemouth, Mill Bay and Rickham Sand. You can find more information about dog friendly beaches here.
This walk does have uneven and rocky sections but does also have smooth surfaced areas and off road sections. The walk has lots of places to stop along the way, especially along the estuary.
Start and finish at the car park at East Portlemouth, use postcode TQ8 8PD.
Sidmouth
Taking in the delights of Sidmouth and the Jurassic Coast, this is a longer walk with some ascents, but nothing steep and no stiles. Sidmouth has lots of dog friendly places to stop off while following the route and it takes you into the Sid Valley, including the Byes, where you can walk along the River Sid and into Connaught Gardens which is ideal for a picnic if the sun is shining.
Start and end at the Bedford Hotel in Sidmouth, there are nearby carparks should you want to use them. Use the postcode EX10 8RR.
Dawlish
Even though walk is over 5 miles long, it is a relatively easy walk on level roads and paths, especially at low tide. During high tide and bad weather, there is also an inland route, just follow the path on the opposite side of the rail tracks.
Start off in Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve and pass through Dawlish itself following the sea wall. Dawlish is a lovely town with iconic black swans to spot while you walk through towards the beach.
Start at the town railway station, use the postcode EX7 0NF. Dawlish is on the mainline, so you can easily get the train from Torquay and other stations.
Challenging walks
Ringmore and Bigbury
Starting at Bigbury, this walk takes you along the Avon Estuary and into the village of Ringmore with its charming thatched cottages before heading back towards the sandy beaches at Bigbury. There are dog friendly beaches and pubs along the route, so perfect for a day out with the dog.
This walk is around 6.5 miles and has some short climbs and descents and mostly follows fields and coastal paths.
Start and end at Bigbury on Sea car park, use postcode TQ7 4AZ
You can find more dog walks and suggestions for visiting with your dog by checking out all the routes along the South West Coast Path here. Find more dog friendly options in Devon here.