Walking Trails in Devon the place to be naturally active www.devon.gov.uk/prow www.visitdevon.co.uk Devon - the walking county of the South West Did you know that if you walked every day for a year in Devon, you would never have to walk the same path twice? It’s all here for the asking and you’ll certainly find out why Devon richly deserves to be called ‘glorious’! Well known for its mild climate, unspoilt beauty, peace and tranquillity, there are walks to suit everyone - through gently rolling countryside, over high moorland, along river valleys or beside some of the finest stretches of coastline and breathtaking views to be found anywhere in Britain. From a full day’s trek to a one hour ramble, a guided walk to a family stroll, a leisurely circular walk to the challenge of a long distance trail, you will find a wide variety of walks just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. 2 There is a fascinating variety of stunning Whatever takes your fancy and wherever and picturesque long-distance footpaths in you stay in Devon, there is always a choice Devon, some with literary or historic of walks nearby, ranging from a two or connections. The jewel in the crown is the three mile easy amble through to longer South West Coast Path, Devon’s National more challenging walks, imagine… Trail. Drifts of bluebells lit by dappled sunlight, Many of the trails link up to form a the smell of new mown hay, the sound of network of walks, providing opportunities the sea…crisp country walks followed by a to do a shorter day or half day walk, a roaring fire and hot ‘toddies’! circular or linear walk. Many walks can be National Parks, Areas of Outstanding accessed by public transport. Natural Beauty, England’s first natural For up-to-date information on timetables World Heritage Site and a Biosphere call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or visit Reserve - Devon is a unique and special www.traveline.org.uk county, full of history and heritage, with a network of walks just waiting to be Walking builds up an appetite - the County discovered and enjoyed. is renowned for the wide range and quality of local produce available. Imagine scrumptious Devon cream teas, delicious home-made snacks and freshly caught sea food …be sure to discover the real taste of Devon and enjoy! 3 Devon - the walking county of the South West SOUTH WEST COAST PATH ILFRACOMBE Lynmouth Lynton Walk 2 Combe Martin Walk 1 MINEHEAD TWO MOORS WAY Croyde Braunton (TO CASTLE CARY) BARNSTAPLE Hawkridge Westward Ho! TARKA TRAIL TAUNTON SOUTH MOLTON Umberleigh Clovelly BIDEFORD DEVON Bampton Portsmouth Arms EXE VALLEY Kings Nympton WAY SOMERSET GREAT Chulmleigh GRAND TORRINGTON WESTERN LITTLE DART Witheridge CANAL TIVERTON RIDGE VALLEY TARKA TRAIL Eggesford PARKWAY Walk 3 TIVERTON Morchard Rd HOLSWORTHY DEVONSHIRE Ruby Trails Copplestone EXE HEARTLAND VALLEY HONITON WAY Yeoford WAY CREDITON AXMINSTER OKEHAMPTON Sticklepath OTTERY EAST DEVON WAY (TO POOLE) ST MARY TAW & Topsham Walk 5 TEIGN EXETER Walk 4 LINK LYME TWO CASTLES TRAIL Chagford REGIS SIDMOUTH SEATON LAUNCESTON Bridstowe Meldon BEER Starcross SOUTH WEST Lympstone COAST PATH Walk 9 BUDLEIGH SALTERTON TAMAR VALLEY WEST TWO MOORS WAY TEMPLER WAY EXMOUTH DISCOVERY TRAIL DEVON DAWLISH WAY TEIGNMOUTH Princetown Gunnislake TAVISTOCK NEWTON ABBOT Walk 6 Calstock Bere Alston Walk 7 TORQUAY Buckfastleigh JOHN CORNWALL Bere Ferrers TOTNES MUSGRAVE PAIGNTON HERITAGE PLYMOUTH TRAIL (TO MINEHEAD DART Ivybridge VALLEY via LANDS END) TRAIL KINGSWEAR DARTMOUTH ERME PLYM TRAIL Walk 8 KINGSBRIDGE SOUTH WEST SOUTH WEST COAST PATH COAST PATH Salcombe Walk 10 Maps reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. 100019783. 2008 4 Devon is well known for its unspoilt beauty and tranquillity. Walking in the county offers the ideal way to appreciate it, giving the opportunity to get into the heart of the landscape and really feel part of the environment. There are walks to suit all tastes. In addition, some trails have historic or literary links to give further interest, and remember that the trails link together to form a network. This gives you the opportunity to pick the exact type of route length, landscape and exertion that you wish, by creating your own “pick and mix” and walking all or part of several trails. You can use the map to plan your route. A brief description of each of the trails is given on the following pages. To help you try out sections for yourself, ten sample walks based on some of the trails are included in this brochure. Walk 1 Walk 6 Devon’s Little Switzerland Templer at the Teign (Lynmouth and Watersmeet) (Newton Abbot and the Higher Teign 5miles/8km on the Two Moors Way and Estuary). South West Coast Path. 7.5miles/12km on the Templer Way. Walk 2 Walk 7 North Devon’s Deadly Coast T for Three...and John Musgrave (Mortehoe and Lee Bay) (Marldon to Totnes) 6.25miles/10km on the South West Coast 5.5miles/9km on the John Musgrave Path and Tarka Trail. Heritage Trail. Walk 3 Walk 8 Hatherleigh Ruby Trail Wembury, Wembury, (Hatherleigh and its hinterland) Here we Come 4miles/6.5km - one of the Ruby Trails, linking (Wembury and the River Yealm) to the Tarka Trail. 4.5miles/7km on the Erme - Plym Trail and South West Coast Path. Walk 4 Heath and Valley Walk 9 (Newton Poppleford and Hawkerland). A Victorian Landscape Walk 6.25miles/10km on the East Devon Way. (Meldon and Sourton) 5miles/8km on the West Devon Way and Walk 5 Two Castles Trail. The Most Rebellious Town in Devon (Colyton and the River Coly) Walk 10 5miles/8km on the East Devon Way. A Walk in Hope (Hope Cove and Bolberry) 5miles/8km on the South West Coast Path. 5 Long Distance Trails South West Coast Path Tarka Trail Inspired by Henry Williamson’s much loved novel National Trail ‘Tarka the Otter’ which was based on real places, this Over the centuries fishermen, coastguards and 180 miles/290km recreational route, in a figure of smugglers have helped to create this historic path – eight, follows Tarka’s journeys through the northern now Britain’s longest National Trail – stretching over part of the county. 600 miles/960km. Ranging from easy to challenging, the path is comprehensively waymarked; the Devon The Trail takes you through an ever changing variety element of the South West Coast Path runs for 90 of some wonderful Devon scenery described in the miles/144km in the north and 115 miles/185km in the book, including tranquil countryside, wooded river south, and boasts some of the most spectacular valleys, rugged moorland and dramatic coast. landscape, seascape, climate and vegetation to be Comprehensively waymarked, walking along the found anywhere in the UK. Trail varies from easy to challenging. Short sections To the north, the beautiful bay of Combe Martin, of the Trail and circular walks from it are ideal for Ilfracombe’s picturesque harbour, the magnificent day and half day excursions. sweep of Saunton Sands and the dramatic cliff scenery around Hartland Point are all inspiring Two Moors Way sights. To the south, the coast has many contrasts. Running for just over 100 miles/160km between From the city of Plymouth to the delightful estuaries Ivybridge in the south and Lynmouth in the north, of the South Hams, from the many dramatic this famous path links the two National Parks of headlands to the red cliffs of East Devon, the South Dartmoor and Exmoor. West Coast Path has something for everyone. Not only does it offer a challenge to the long distance The route covers a wonderful diversity of scenery walker, it also provides immense enjoyment for the including a wild and remote stretch of Dartmoor and many people who wish to spend a day or half day some of the most beautiful sections of the valley of experiencing this stunning and really special part of the River Dart. After some delightfully unspoilt parts Devon. of central Devon, the trail reaches Exmoor and its deep wooded valleys, with magnificent views from The trail can be accessed by bus and/or train to allow the high moorland. for short lengths to be walked. Walking is easy with just one or two challenging stretches and the route is comprehensively waymarked, apart from the open moorland sections which require navigational skills. 6 Erme-Plym Trail West Devon Way This 15 mile/24km, generally easy path takes in the This path covers the 36 miles/58km between the pleasing environment of the Erme Valley south of market town of Okehampton, situated in the very Ivybridge as well as following a cross-country route heart of Devon and the historic city of Plymouth. through attractive pastoral landscape. The route takes in stunning moorland landscapes, quiet rural paths and superb river valleys, skirting Devon Coast to Coast the western edge of Dartmoor for most of its length. Unlike the better known walk in the north of Waymarked except where it crosses open moorland, England which runs west to east, Devon’s goes from the walking ranges from easy to moderate and the north to south. The Two Moors Way forms the bulk whole route runs parallel to bus routes. of the route, but at Ivybridge it meets the Erme-Plym Trail which provides the link to the south coast. Take Two Castles Trail the opportunity of dipping your boots in the English The Two Castles Trail is a route of 24miles/38km Channel and the Bristol Channel in one walk – they linking the medieval castles of Okehampton and are a just a mere 117 miles/184km apart at either Launceston.