If you’re visiting East Devon this summer, make sure to set some time aside to explore the region’s newest trail, perfect for walking, rambling and cycling, all while getting the chance to see East Devon at its wildest.
The East Devon Trail is a new long-distance and multi-surface route that starts and ends in Exeter, covering the beautiful East Devon landscape across 115 miles. With a route that aims to show off this incredible part of the county, you can easily explore every landscape imaginable from marshes, heathland, coastland and woodland, with a number of nature reserves dotted along the way.
The route was curated by Katherine Moore, a zoologist from Devon who was keen to showcase the views that are often overlooked in the county. Katherine, along with several stakeholders, including Devon Wildlife Trust, Wild East Devon, the East Devon AONB and the RSPB, have created the trail with the aim of showing off and conserving the region’s wildlife. As well as showing off the natural habitats of a variety of bird and wildlife, the route also includes new service stations which have been installed for migratory birds. It is hoped that by encouraging new species to thrive in the region, users of the path will be inspired to help conservation efforts elsewhere.
With a focus on the natural environment, it is no wonder that the East Devon Trail also has sustainability at its heart. The route is easily accessible by train and starts and ends at Exeter’s mainline train station, allowing you to explore the path without having to get in the car and the route also strategically takes you past other local stations, for those that don’t fancy taking on the whole trail.
In addition to covering nature reserves, the route also includes plenty of places to eat and drink – perfect for those of you who want to find out more about the incredible local produce that the region is known for. Why not stop off for a cream tea or enjoy some locally caught fish and chips while exploring?