You are here > Things To Do > Activities > Walking & Hiking
Explore
What's On in Devon
Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
You are here > Things To Do > Activities > Walking & Hiking
This is a day of adventure you won’t forget. We have tree top activities suitable for all ages (4…
The Tamar Trails is an all day attraction for families who love the outdoors. This a child friendly…
Walking in Devon is an absolute joy. Devon walks take in every glorious view, every beautiful beach, and every interesting monument. Here, you'll find a network of pathways criss-crossing the county and, with its mild climate, unspoilt beauty, peace and tranquillity - not to mention Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, and the South West Coast Path running across 205 miles of the north and south coasts - Devon is very popular with walkers. Devon is the perfect place to explore on foot.
Short stroll or epic hike, summer or winter walk, take your choice of miles of Devon's exhilarating views, gently rolling countryside, high moorland, river valleys and some of the finest stretches of coastline in Britain - what more could you ask?
It's also become a hotspot for amily-friendly geocaching – sometimes known as digital treasure hunting (or simply, a good walk made even better).
So if you need inspiration for where’s best to walk off your roast lunch, see below for lots of routes and ideas.
All are circular routes, and graded as easy, so suitable for most abilities.
The Middle Dart Valley walk
Starts/ends: Totnes
Distance: 5 miles
This is perfect for winter walks because it only follows surfaced paths and lanes, so if it’s snowy or been a little wet the going will still be easy, and there is just one gentle climb and no stiles.
It begins (and ends) at the centre of the interesting medieval town of Totnes, then passes along the River Dart through the Dartington Hall Estate, where there are lovely views over the middle Dart Valley. You could make a day of it and stop off at Dartington Hall or the Dartington Cider Press Centre nearby, where there are crafts, shops, and places to eat. The walk continues along lanes and through woodland, where you’ll see a mill with a working waterwheel before returning to Totnes.
Good to know: Dogs aren’t allowed in the courtyard or gardens of Dartington Hall, but you can pick up the route at the far end of the gardens. Long-distance walkers may want to add this middle part of the Dart Valley to the Dart Valley Trail.
The South West Coast Path, Bolberry Down
Starts/ends: Bolberry Down car park
Distance: 1–1.5 miles
Bolberry Down is managed by the National Trust, so this lovely area has a network of well-maintained, easily accessible paths from which to admire the sea views and rare coastal grassland.
There are a number of routes that you can take, but if you want a nice easy stroll take the loop route that heads east along the coast. You’ll pass the Port Light Hotel, then head along the coast, passing a number of viewpoints and benches. When you reach the return point you’ll be able to see along the coast as far as Rame Head in Cornwall, and on a clear day you should be able to see the Eddystone Lighthouse guarding a dangerous reef 8 miles out from Rame Head.
Good to know: this route is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, and dog-friendly too. The Port Light Hotel is a good stopoff point for refreshments.
The Mamhead Sensory Trail, near Exeter
Starts/ends: Mamhead car park in Haldon Forest Park
Distance: 1.5 miles
This all-ability trail is in Haldon Forest Park, just minutes outside Exeter, and takes you along flat, well surfaced tracks. It’s perfect for those with younger children, as it’s a ‘sensory trail’ with special markers along the way to encourage walkers to appreciate their whole surroundings, and plenty of resting points and picnic benches. It’s also pushchair friendly, with no steep inclines.
Starting at the car park in Mamhead, the route follows through the forest and a beech-lined avenue to the high viewpoint near the Obelisk. From here there are views across the whole of Exeter, and on a clear day across to Start Point and Dawlish.
Good to know: There are two loops of one and one and a half miles that both lead to and from the car park, and can be shortened to one mile. The route is very clearly marked by a map board at the carpark and markers along the way, but you can pick up a paper map first from Haldon Forest Park Ranger’s Office a mile or so away.
The Tark Trail, North Devon
Starts/ends: Instow
Distance: 1.5 miles
The Tarka Trail is an accessible walking and cycling path that runs through 163 miles of North Devon coast and countryside. Follow the section that runs through Instow and leave the trail to double back along the South West Coast Path and a footpath that promenades along the edge of the beach.
Join the Tarka Trail where it crosses Marine Parade, at Instow Signal Box. Head north through old railway tunnels and under bridges through the village for about 1 kilometre, until there’s the opportunity to leave the trail to the left in the direction of the thatched Instow Cricket Club building. Follow the path ahead and round to the beach, then walk to the left/south back in the direction of the village – you could walk through the dunes if you like. Once you reach the village, continue south along the path that runs along the edge of the beach until it takes you back to your starting point.
Good to know: If the tide’s in and you don’t want to walk along the beach after you leave the trail at the midway point, you can walk left/south along the cricket club driveway to join the path that leads through the village. There’s a public car park in the village, further along Marine Way, and a few nice pubs to warm up in after your walk.
The Ernest Bassett Walk, Dartmoor
Starts/ends: Okehampton
Distance: 5 miles
Devised by a keen Dartmoor walker and founder member of the Dartmoor Rescue Group, this walk was planned as an easy introduction to the area’s attractions.
It begins in Okehampton on the shoulder of Dartmoor, and initially takes in the sights of the town’s historic architecture and an old waterwheel. It continues along paths, across a field and through woodlands, then alongside the the East Okement river. From this scenic valley the route passes by small waterfalls and still pools, then continues in a climb to East Hill – on a clear day you’ll see fantastic views across to Exmoor and an almost aerial view of Okehampton – before returning to the town.
Good to know: This walk has variations that can make it 2.5, 3 or 4 miles.
Number of results: 19
TAVISTOCK
This is a day of adventure you won’t forget. We have tree top activities suitable for all ages (4 years upwards) located in the stunning Tamar Valley on the Devon Cornwall…
TAVISTOCK
The Tamar Trails is an all day attraction for families who love the outdoors. This a child friendly attraction where you can explore the network of woodland trails on bike or…
Exeter
See our Covid-19 procedures here.
Haldon Forest Park is made up of 3,500 acres of woodland, just 15 minutes from Exeter. Open 364 days a year, it’s the perfect place to…
Cullompton
The Bear Trail is Devon's muddiest family assault course. 30 obstacles, unlimited mud! An award winning outdoor family attraction, the Bear Trail has been designed for…
Princetown
We are a family run adventure activities company providing instruction, coaching and guiding in climbing, mountaineering, navigation skills and caving. We offer activities…
Active England Tours include cycling and biking, walking, adventure weekends and multisport tours, through beautiful countryside and a host of iconic places. Our tours visit…
The English Riviera
Ideas for an amazing 1 to 7-day active holiday in the English Riviera in South Devon. Do the whole trail, or split the days up depending on your own timetable.
For more…
Explore the East Devon coastline with its cliffs, beaches packed with fossils, incredible eateries and coastal villages by following this 7-day walking trail. The South West…
Contours Walking Holidays organise self-guided walking holidays in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. We organise everything to enable you to walk your chosen route at…
Explore the beautiful South Devon coastline with this 7-day walking trail following the South West Coast Path from Plymouth to Dartmouth. Choose between doing the whole trail…
Plymouth
Distance: 5 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Start/End point: Bere Alston
For most of its length, Devon's western frontier with Cornwall is marked by the River Tamar.…
Exeter
A river valley walk between source and sea along the beautiful River Exe. The Exe Valley is a long distance route for walkers exploring the length of this beautiful river…
Wembury to Plymouth Walk: Coast In Conflict
This satisfying and spectacular walk follows the cliffs and coves of a historic and fascinating stretch of coast. The route…
Bantham and Thurlestone: Trade and Settlement Walk
Take in the old haunts of Saxons and smugglers, lush coastline and glittering sea, then amble back through the green,…
East Prawle Walk: A Colourful Landscape
A wonderful circular walk taking in spectacular coastal scenery and ancient green lanes, in one of the richest spots in Devon for…
Exeter
* Distance: 8 miles
* Difficulty: Easy
* Start/End point: Exeter/Starcross
The Exe Valley Way is a long-distance route for walkers exploring some 45 miles of the…
Exeter
A fascinating self-guided tour. Pick up a free leaflet from the Tourist Information Centre and explore the key sites of Exeter's most important historical industry - the…
Plymouth
Distance: 5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Start/End point: Plym Valley Railway (Grid Ref: SX522568).
The lower Plym Valley, with its woodland walks and riverside paths, lies…
Totnes
Distance: 5 miles Difficulty: Easy Start/End point: Totnes. For the wetter conditions of winter, this walk uses surfaced paths and lanes between Totnes and Dartington. It…
© Visit Devon Community Interest Company