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  • Devon's charming coastal town of Ilfracombe.
    Devon's charming coastal town of Ilfracombe. Photo: Richard Brannen, CC0, Unsplash

Hikes & Walks In Devon

England, United Kingdom

Outdooractive Editors  Verified partner 
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Devon is home to two national parks, Dartmoor and Exmoor, as well as a great variety of landscapes, including craggy beaches, wildlife-rich nature reserves, waterfalls, river valleys, and moorland. Devon has something for everyone, from stunning coastline, climbs to fossil searching and national park tours and views. With our selection of the great day walks and hiking paths in Devon, you can explore miles of terrain, with miles of long-distance trails. Read on for the best walking trails in Devon. 

Hiking in Devon
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The 10 most beautiful hikes in Devon

Valley of the Rocks
Hiking Route · United Kingdom
Valley of the Rocks Loop Walk
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
1
13.9 km
3:30 h
548 m
554 m
A spectacular walk through the dramatic Valley of the Rocks, descending into Lynton then walking alongside the East River Lyn and ito the forest above Lynmouth before making your way back along a section of the South West Coast Path. Challenging initially, the views are worth the effort. 
Macs Adventure
Hiking Route · United Kingdom
Hartland Point Lighthouse and Radar station walk.
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
6.6 km
1:57 h
159 m
157 m
A walk around Hartland Point and Lighthouse in North Devon AONB - Titchberry - Hartland Point - Titchberry.
Community
Hiking Route · United Kingdom
Circular walk Hartland Quay, Speeke Waterfall, Docton Mill and Stoke.
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
6.7 km
1:54 h
186 m
182 m
North Devon AONB - Speke' Mill - Docton Mill Gardens - Stoke - St Nectan's Church. A relatively easy going circular walk with varied landscapes including dramatic coastal views, pretty river valley, and riverside walking nearly all off road. A couple of steep climbs and generally dry underfoot even in February after a very wet winter. Refreshments at Docton Mill April - October and at Hartland Quay when it re-opens. (Being refurbished Feb 2022)
Community
Hartland Quay
Hiking Route · Devon
Clovelly to Hartland Quay
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
1
16.4 km
6:00 h
367 m
456 m
A mix of open field and forest walking, you'll pass Clovelly Court Estate, Iron Age forts, and memorials to both plane crashes and shipwrecks on this section of the walk. 
Macs Adventure
Blackchurch Rock.
Hiking Route · United Kingdom
Blackchurch Rock and Clovelly circular
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
9.4 km
2:42 h
299 m
302 m
A circular walk of Just under six miles taking in Blackchurch Rock and Clovelly court. Set in the North Devon AONB and following the SWCP (south west coast path) for a good part of the walk. Mainly easy going but the decent and ascent to and from Blackchurch Rock bay is very strenuous..
Community
Looking west alongthe SWCP
Hiking Route · United Kingdom
Woolacombe to Ilfracombe
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
13.2 km
3:30 h
397 m
403 m
A simple walk along an exhilarating section of the South West Coast Path between the beach towns of Woolacombe and ilfracombe. 
Macs Adventure
View towards Sidmouth
Hiking Route · United Kingdom
Budleigh Salterton South West Coast Path and Otter Valley Way; Birdlife Sanctuary.
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
13 km
3:25 h
138 m
106 m
Early May 2021 saw us walking this route in a clockwise direction, with superb coastal views and delightful Devon scenery. At the start is the River Estuary which is a birdlife sanctuary where patience is rewarded with a fine mix of waterfowl. The route could easily be extended to take in Otterton and the delights of Budleigh Salterton.
Community
Hiking Route · United Kingdom
Sunny Lyn Campsite, Watersmeet, Lynmouth, Lynton and back to campsite
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
9.2 km
3:15 h
532 m
530 m
One of my favourite walks whilst visiting Sunny Lyn campsite and Exmoor.
Community
Hiking Route · United Kingdom
Woodland riverside walk to Watersmeet.
Toprecommended route Difficulty easy
7.2 km
2:01 h
294 m
294 m
A there and back walk to the NT tea room at watersmeet.
Community
Fields to sea
Hiking Route · United Kingdom
Ilfracombe loop walk via Combe Martin
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
20 km
6:00 h
700 m
700 m
A long loop walk starting and finishing at Ilfracombe harbour, some steep ascents but nothing too strenuous. 
Macs Adventure
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What Is the Longest Walk in Devon?

Devon's 630-mile-long South West Coast Path is the longest waymarked long-distance footpath and a National Trail in England, as well as being one of the most beautiful. It runs from Somerset along the Exmoor coastline, meanders along the entire coast of picturesque Cornwall, crosses the River Tamar and takes the stretch of the south coast from Devon to Dorset with it. The Path is usually walked in an anti-clockwise direction, from Minehead to Poole, but it is well-signed in both directions. In terms of walking days, a fast walker can complete the whole Trail in around 30 days, but a more leisurely pace with time to stop to see some of the sights just off the path is between 7 and 8 weeks.

Hiking Route · United Kingdom
JimS - Ilfracombe - 10/05/2017
Difficulty moderate
Distance 12.1 km
Ascent 440 m
Duration 3:49 h
Descent 435 m
1
from Jim Storer,   Community
Plan a route here 〉
Long-Distance Hiking · United Kingdom
South West Coast Path
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 1,018.7 km
Ascent 19,248 m
Duration 305:00 h
Descent 19,257 m
1
from Wiebke Hillen,   England’s Great Walking Trails
Plan a route here 〉

Wander Through Wistman's Wood

For an ancient wild oak, woodland walk visit Wistman's Wood, in Dartmoor National Park. This short three-mile walk follows a well-marked trail, that begins across the road from the Two Bridges Hotel.  Passing through Wistman's Wood to the summit of Longaford Tor, which provides panoramic views of Dartmoor and the iconic "Hairy Hands Bridge." You'll cross Crockern Tor on your way back to the Two Bridges Hotel, where local tin miners gathered to discuss their work. The wood is renowned for its aged, twisted, and lichen- and moss-covered dwarf trees. 

 

Hiking Route · United Kingdom
Wistman’s Wood, Dartmoor (Spring 2012)
Difficulty difficult
Distance 14.5 km
Duration 3:55 h
Ascent 294 m
Descent 294 m

Botanist or not, you can’t fail to fall under the spell of this precious remnant of ancient woodland, believes Deborah Martin.

9
from Trail Magazine,   Trail Magazine

Discover The Burrator Reservoir

The serene pond and accompanying mixed woods at Burrator Reservoir in Dartmoor stand in stark contrast to the wide moor and the untamed Dartmoor tors. There is plenty to do here, from wandering and soaking in the views to fishing for brown and rainbow trout. A visit can be coupled with a walk across the moors or enjoyed on its own. Devon has a small number of lakes, but given their location and beauty, they are a hidden treasure.

Hiking Route · United Kingdom
Around Burrator Reservoir
Map / Around Burrator Reservoir
Difficulty moderate
Distance 10.7 km
Duration 2:59 h
Ascent 289 m
Descent 292 m

7 Miles. 310 M

3
from Alan White,   Community

Visit Teign Gorge

Anyone who wishes to visit Dartmoor National Park should do the exciting journey of walking through the Teign Gorge, especially enjoy you enjoy attractive riverbank settings and charming old structures.  Here you will embark on the iconic Fingle Bridge from the 17th century, you will first travel along the River Teign in an easterly direction to pass through the lovely Cod Wood and see the ruins of the Iron Age hillfort known as Wooston Castle. After passing Fingle Bridge, you will loop back to the west across the gorge's uneven topography before continuing west along the river. Use the opposite side of the bridge and walk uphill along Hunter's Tor.

Hiking Route · United Kingdom
The beautiful Teign Gorge beckons
Difficulty
Distance 6.7 km
Duration 2:05 h
Ascent 251 m
Descent 251 m

This walk is rightly famous, with moorland views from towering tors, wildlife filled woodlands, a tumbling river that follows the course of an ...

1
from Tim Woodward,   Community

East Lyn River Gorge

The North Devon coast's Lynmouth to Brendon Walk, (known as the Watersmeet Trail) is a fascinating excursion that will take you through some tough terrain and introduce you to the local animals. The trail departs from the fishing community of Lynmouth and proceeds through the East Lyn River Gorge, meandering through the undulating terrain along the water's edge before soaring above the gorge to provide views of South Wales and the Bristol Channel. Although there are some difficult climbs and descents on this trail, the sights are well worth it.

Hiking Route · United Kingdom
Watersmeet Trail
Difficulty easy
Distance 6.3 km
Duration 1:51 h
Ascent 140 m
Descent 138 m

Take the Watersmeet walk and wind your way through the picturesque East Lyn river gorge to the idyllic Watersmeet House National Trust property

from Gavin Evans,   Community
Explore our Travel Guide for Devon
Dog-friendly hiking Accessibility

Reviews

  1,452
Princetown-Swelltor Quarry Circular by Tara
June 03, 2023 · Devon Cave Rescue Organization
Comment
Two day walk from Belstone. by Jonathan
May 31, 2023 · Community
A walk which takes in a variety of terrains on offer on Dartmoor.
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When did you do this route? May 27, 2023
Comment
Stover Circuit by Dan
May 26, 2023 · Community
A nice little track, flat terrain and well marked
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Photo: Dan Snaith, Community
Photo: Dan Snaith, Community
Comment
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Find hikes in neighboring regions

Dorset Cornwall

Discover other hikes within Devon

East Devon Exeter Mid Devon North Devon Plymouth South Hams Teignbridge Torbay Torridge West Devon

Similar activities in Devon

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