Walking

Experience the unspoilt beauty of the Heart of Devon on foot, with miles of rolling countryside offering exhilarating views and some of the finest stretches of coastline in Britain. Whether you fancy a short, leisurely stroll or a long distance hike, you will be spoilt for choice.

There are several long distance walking routes through the Heart of Devon. The East Devon Way starts at Exmouth and winds inland along footpaths, bridleways and quiet country lanes towards Lyme Regis. The Exe Valley Way follows the route of the River Exe, through beautiful countryside and quiet villages. Walkers will see a wonderful diversity of scenery along the Two Moors Way. The long distance footpaths are well signposted and can be done in shorter sections, so you don't have to explore them all at once! 

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Follow the town trails around the rural towns of Mid and East Devon to discover historic sites or join a guided walk with a local expert. Discover the hidden secrets of the historic city of Exeter on a free Red Coat Guided Walk or take a relaxing stroll to one of the pubs along the River Exe serving delicious local food. The Exeter Green Circle walk is a 12 mile route around green spaces on the outskirts of the city. 

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For breathtaking coastal views head to the South West Coast Path in East Devon, part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. A particularly spectacular part of this walk is the section between Beer and Branscombe, where there are wonderful views of the Jurassic Coast, heritage sites of interest and a history of smuggling!

Walking in the Heart of Devon is the best way to see some of the rare and important species of wildlife and birdlife which are attracted to the area's diverse habitats. Explore the RSPB nature reserves around Exeter and East Devon to glimpse magnificent wildlife. 

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Discover the peaceful countryside of the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), along its many footpaths and country lanes - downloadable walking guides are available on the Blackdown Hills AONB website or download copies below.

Visitors to Neroche in the Blackdown Hills AONB can explore the Staple Fitzpaine Herepath Trail with the help of a Digital Trail Guide, a handheld touch screen computer that acts as a personal audio-visual guide to the trail. The handsets are free to hire and allow visitors to listen to audio stories and watch animations about the history of the area. Click here to find out more. 

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Whatever your interests and walking abilities, you are sure to find a walk to suit you - just use the options on the right to search our database. To download maps and guides for some of the best walks in the Heart of Devon, click on the links below:

• Exeter:
• Exeter Green Circle Walk
• Exeter City Wall Trail
• Exeter Medieval Trail
• Exeter Woollen Trail
• Exe Valley Way

• East Devon:
• East Devon Way
• Ottery St Mary Heritage Trail
• South West Coast Path - Beer Head to Branscombe

• Mid Devon:
• Grand Western Canal - Canal Basin & Old Railway Walk
• Grand Western Canal - the Swan's Neck
• Tarka Trail Circular Routes
• Two Moors Way
• Tiverton Merchants's Trail

• Dartmoor
• Dartmoor Audio Walks
• Templar Way (Haytor - Teignmouth) 
• West Devon Way (Okehampton - Plymouth)

• Blackdown Hills AONB:
• Along the Culm to Coldharbour Mill
• An estate village, little changed over the centuries
• Fire Beacon Hill and Core Hill Wood Walk - Woodland Trust
• Happy Valley and the Umborne Brook
• In the Footsteps of the Whetstone Miners
• Horner Hill and the English Channel
• Up into the hills to a spot that belongs to Canada!

Click here to view a full list of walks and walking activities in the Heart of Devon.

To help plan your visit, visit the Heart of Devon Store to browse a range of books and maps.