Walks & Trails

Coastal Path Sign [© Clare Pawley Countryside Agency]

Couple Sitting on Cliff [© Clare Pawley Countryside Agency]

Downloadable Walks and Trails

Discover over 30 walks and trails in South Devon AONB. Use the map or scroll through the walk titles below to select a walk in the area that you are interested in.

At the bottom of each walk page is the option to print the details to take with you. We hope you enjoy your walk!

Key to Grades of Walks

Easy: Straightforward walking on reasonably even ground, with few or minor obstacles. Suitable for most people in reasonable health: sensible footwear should be worn.

Moderate: These walks are suitable for anyone in reasonably good health, wearing sensible outdoor footwear.

Strenuous: Walks requiring a reasonable degree of physical fitness and sure-footedness. Supportive walking boots should be worn.

Browse all walks

Aveton Gifford
A perfect taste of the South Hams countryside - this inland walk bowls along on paths and green lanes, taking in hills and combes, gentle pasture, woodland and stream, with views across to the moor for good measure.
Start location: Memorial Hall car park, Aveton Gifford
Distance: 5.75 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Footpaths, with some short muddy sections in wet weather; green lanes, with some eroded sections; surfaced roads.
Avon Estuary Walk
Downstream from Aveton Gifford, the river Avon winds through its beautiful and secluded valley to the sea. This fine walk traces its course, and you are rarely out of sight of the river, or its rich birdlife.
Start location: Bantham Sand car park, Bantham
Distance: 7.5 miles (8.5 miles at high tide)
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Footpaths, with some muddy sections in wet weather; green lanes; surfaced roads.
Avon Valley: Woodleigh & Topsham Bridge - Horse Riding Route
Cultural Trail: Man & the Landscape. This horse riding route is part of a series of themed trails to help you learn more about the landscape around you. Other trail themes include - Trade & Settlement; Coast & Conflict; Colourful Landscape.
Start location: Preston Cross / Moreleigh Mount
Finish location: Preston Cross / Moreleigh Mount
Distance: 7.5 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Quiet country lanes; bridleways; green lanes.
Bantham to Thurlestone
Take in the old haunts of Saxons and smugglers, lush coastline and glittering sea, then amble back through the green fields of South Devon.
Start location: Bantham beach car park
Distance: 3.5 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Fairly even coastal footpath; surfaced roads; fields and footpaths.
Bantham to Thurlestone: Cultural Trail
Cultural Trail: Trade & Settlement. This walk is part of a series of themed trails to help you learn more about the landscape around you. Other trail themes include - Coast & Conflict; Man & the Landscape; Colourful Landscape.
Start location: Bantham beach car park
Distance: 3.5 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Fairly even coastal footpath; surfaced roads; fields and footpaths.
Beesands & Hallsands
All of maritime life is here - Start Bay's great sweep of sea and land, traditional fishing communities, and the mysterious and tragic lost village of Hallsands. The walk wends it way home again along green lanes and footpaths.
Start location: Seafront car park, Beesands
Distance: 3.75 miles.
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Coast path with one long flight of steps; surfaced roads; field footpath; tracks and green lanes.
Blackdown Rings & the Upper Avon Valley
The peaceful wooded Avon Valley, rich in wildlife and wildflowers, is a blissful spot. Explore the vale on this walk, with the river for company, taking in the superb Iron Age hillfort and sweeping views of Blackdown Rings.
Start location: Blackdown Rings car park
Distance: 6.25 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Footpaths and green lanes, reasonably even underfoot but muddy in places in wet weather; surfaced roads.
Bolt Tail & Burleigh Dolts
Following in the steps of our forefathers, this walk takes in the spectacular sites of two enclosures, dating back to the Iron Age, and the pathways and ancient green lanes in between, including a glorious stretch of coast.
Start location: village Hall car park, Malborough
Finish location: Village Hall car park, Malborough
Distance: 8.75 miles
Grade: Moderate to strenuous
Terrain: Coastal footpath; field footpaths with some mud in wet weather; surfaced road; green lane; route fairly even underfoot overall
Charleton & Frogmore Creek
The Salcombe- Kingsbridge Estuary is a glittering jewel in South Devon’s crown. This walk explores one of its loveliest creeks, teeming with wildlife, along with some of the areas ancient green lanes.
Start location: Frogmore Bridge
Finish location: Frogmore Bridge
Distance: 4.5 miles
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Terrain: Estuary foreshore, sometimes slippy underfoot; field footpath; green lane, with some soggy and muddy sections in wet weather; surfaced road
Dartmouth to Greenway - The Dart Valley Trail
One of the area's truly great walks, this day-long ramble follows the wooded banks of the broad and beautiful river Dart, on a route crammed with gems and jewels of human and natural history.
Start location: Mayor's Avenue Car Park, Dartmouth.
Distance: 9 miles
Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
Terrain: Footpaths, fairly even, occasionally muddy through fields in wet weather; surfaced roads.
Dartmouth Town Trail
A 2 hour walk gentle walk around the town of Dartmouth taking in historic features of interest.
Start location: Duke Street
Distance: 1 mile. Approximately 1.5-2 hours walk
Grade: Gentle
Terrain: Level with a steep climb.
Dittisham to Totnes - The Dart Valley Trail
A perfect, gentle day's journey, this walk links village to nestled, unspoilt village as it follows the silver ribbon of the River Dart through Devon's rolling hills.
Start location: Dittisham Ham car park, Dittisham
Finish location: The Plains, Totnes
Distance: 8 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Footpaths, fairly even under foot, occasional mud in wet weather; surfaced roads.
East Portlemouth & East Prawle - Cycling Route
Cultural Trail: Trade & Settlement. This cycling route is part of a series of themed trails to help you learn more about the landscape around you. Other trail themes include - Coast & Conflict; Man & the Landscape; Colourful Landscape.
Start location: East Prawle Village Green.
Finish location: East Prawle Village Green.
Distance: 12 miles (circular)
Grade: Moderate to strenuous.
Terrain: Quiet country lanes; green lanes; bridleways. Going fairly good, but some muddy stretched in wet weather.
East Portlemouth & East Prawle - Horse Riding Route
Culturall Trail: Trade & Settlement. This horse riding route is part of a series of themed trails to help you learn more about the landscape around you. Other trail themes include - Coast & Conflict; Man & the Landscape; Colourful Landscape.
Start location: Cousin's Cross, Chivelstone
Finish location: Cousin's Cross, Chivelstone
Distance: 12 miles (circular)
Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
Terrain: Quiet country lanes; green lanes; bridleways. Going fairly good, but some muddy stretches in wet weather.
East Portlemouth to Gara Rock
Step out along the coast path, from the Salcombe Estuary and out to meet the wide open sea. Exhilarating scenery, and a wonderful way to get the wind in your sails.
Start location: Ferry Pier, Salcombe
Distance: 3.75 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Coastal footpath, uneven and rocky in places; surfaced road; green lane; field footpath.
East Prawle & Prawle Point: Cultural Trail
Cultural Trail: Colourful Landscapes. This walk is part of a series of themed trails to help you learn more about the landscape around you. Other trail themes include: Coast & Conflict; Trade & Settlement; Man & the Landscape.
Start location: East Prawle Village Green
Distance: 3.5 miles
Grade: Strenuous
Terrain: Coastal footpath with some uneven and rocky sections; green lanes; surfaced roads.
East Prawle and Prawle Point
A wonderful walk taking in spectacular coastal scenery and ancient green lanes, in one of the richest spots in Devon for plants and wildlife.
Start location: East Prawle Village Green
Distance: 3.5 miles
Grade: Strenuous
Terrain: Coastal footpath with some uneven and rocky sections; green lanes; surfaced roads.
Greenway Walk
Experience breathtaking views of the spectacular Tor Bay, discover ruins, follow in ancient footsteps along historic trackways, through rural villages and outstanding countryside to the beautiful River Dart estuary and visit the National Trust's Greenway.
Start location: Broadsands Beach
Finish location: Broadsands Beach
Distance: 6.5 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Coastal and inland footpath, pebble beach, short section on estuary foreshore.
Hope Cove to Bolberry Down
A walk of towering cliffs, endless coastal views, scenes and stories of shipwrecks, and the charm of Devon lanes winding between abundant hedgebanks - with the beautiful, nestled fishing village of Hope Cove to start from and return to.
Start location: Outer Hope car park
Distance: 5 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Coastal footpath with some uneven ground; surfaced road; green lane; fairly even country footpath.
Kingsbridge to Bowcombe Creek
A delightful route following creeks and green lanes steeped in the trade and travel of past times. Melting views of the boat-bobbing estuary and charming South Hams countryside, and a host of waterfowl and wading birds into the bargain.
Start location: Quay Street car park, Kingsbridge
Distance: 2.75 miles (Extended walk to Bowcombe Bridge 1 mile).
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Surfaced roads and paths; tracks and green lanes, with some uneven sections, and erosion down to bedrock in places; country footpaths.
Kingsbridge to West Alvington Woods
Stroll out of Kingsbridge for a tranquil dawdle through parkland meadow and dappled woodland, just a hop, skip and a jump from the town - an unexpected delight.
Start location: Quay St Car Park, Kingsbridge
Distance: 2 miles
Grade: Easy
Terrain: Surfaced roads, field and woodland footpaths, fairly even underfoot, some mud in wet weather.
Kingsbridge Town Trail
A 1.5 hours easy walk around the town of Kingsbridge. Leave at least an extra hour if you wish to explore the museum, churches and pubs.
Start location: Kingsbridge Tourist Information Centre
Distance: 1 mile
Grade: Easy
Terrain: All along level pavements and surfaced roads.
Kingston
A hugely rewarding coast and estuary walk with peerless views from some of the most dramatic cliffs in the area. It ends with a huge vista of South Devon, and the welcoming sight of Kingston village snuggled amongst the fields.
Start location: Parish Church of St James, Kingston
Finish location: Parish Church of St James, Kingston
Distance: 6 miles
Grade: Strenuous
Terrain: Fairly even underfoot. Footpaths and bridleway, with mud in wet weather; coastal footpath; surfaced road.
Kingswear to Froward Point
Castles and cliffs, seals and skylarks, on a coastal circular walk rich in views, history and natural abundance.
Start location: Marina car park, Kingswear.
Distance: 5 miles
Grade: Moderate to strenuous
Terrain: Coast path with some uneven sections and long flights of steps; 2 steep descents; 1 steep ascent.
Little Dartmouth
Small but perfectly formed, this satisfying circuit is full of character and interest, offering glorious views from the cliffs, the tang of the sea close up on the rocky shore, the rich history of the castle and the beautiful River Dart.
Start location: National trust car park, Redlap, Little Dartmouth.
Finish location: National trust car park, Redlap, Little Dartmouth.
Distance: 3.5 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Coastal footpath with occasional uneven sections and mud in wet weather; surfaced road; bridleway.
Loddiswell & the Middle Avon Valley
A beautiful leafy walk following the amber waters of the River Avon through classic English woodland, starting and finishing in the tranquil village of Loddiswell.
Start location: Loddiswell car park
Distance: 3.5 miles
Grade: Easy to moderate
Terrain: Surfaced roads and paths; green lane, with some erosion in places; country and riverside footpaths.
Modbury
The handsome and friendly market town of Modbury hosts a great little walk offering wide open views across South Devon, the rich life of Devon hedgerows, and echoes through history from the English Civil War.
Start location: Poundwell Meadow Car Park, Modbury
Distance: 2.75 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Fairly even underfoot. Field footpaths, with some muddy sections; green lanes; surfaced roads.
Noss Mayo and Revelstoke Drive
The many faces of maritme South Devon in one walk; wild open sea and rugged coast, sheltered estuary, wooded riverbanks, and the waterfront village of Noss Mayo with its chocolate box charm.
Start location: Warren Car Park
Distance: 4.5 miles
Grade: Easy
Terrain: Wide and even coast path; surfaced roads; tracks; optional woodland footpaths.
Prawle to Lannacombe
Blessed with sandy coves, rocky shores, craggy cliffs, a blue sea, lush vegetation and tremendous wildlife, this walk takes you as close to paradise as makes no difference.
Start location: East Prawle Village Green
Distance: 5 Miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Green lane, muddy in places in wet weather; coastal footpath with some uneven and rocky sections; surfaced road.
Ringmore & Bigbury
A walk that’s relaxing and bracing. Beaches with a lovely lazy feel, refreshing open clifftops, the timelessly delightful village of Ringmore tucked away, and enough ‘up-and-down’ to get the circulation going
Start location: Bigbury-on-Sea Car Park
Distance: 3.75 miles
Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
Terrain: Fairly even underfoot. Field footpaths; coastal footpath; green lanes; surfaced roads.
Salcombe to Bolt Head
Passing through an enchanted landscape of rocky spires and jumbled pinnacles, with inspiring views in all directions, this is a coastal walk guaranteed to lift the spirits.
Start location: South Sands, Salcombe
Distance: 2.75 miles (3.25 miles extended route)
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Coastal footpath, uneven and rocky in places; surfaced road; field footpath.
Salcombe to Snapes Point
This lovely tranquil mosey winds around sleepy creeks and fingers of land nosing out into the lapping waters, with brilliant and surprising views to keep your senses sharp.
Start location: Shadycombe Car Park, Salcombe
Distance: 4.5 miles (Shorter route 2.75 miles)
Grade: Moderate (Shorter route Easy to Moderate)
Terrain: Surfaced road; track; field footpaths, fairly even underfoot with occasional adverse camber.
Slapton
Like a satisfying meal, this walk has the shingle sweep of the beach to start, a main course of all the wildlife you could wish for on a National Nature Reserve, and the sweet and characterful village of Slapton for dessert. Perfect!
Start location: Memorial Car Park, Slapton Sands
Distance: 2.75 miles (+0.5 miles for alternative return route)
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Terrain: Footpath by Slapton Ley, occasionally uneven, with wet sections along shore after heavy rain; boardwalk; green lane, muddy and soggy in wet weather; surfaced road.
Stoke Fleming to Strete
Cultural Trail: Trade & Settlement. This walk is part of a series of themed trails to help you learn more about the landscape around you. Other trail themes include: Coast & Conflict; Man & the Landscape; Colourful Landscape.
Start location: Church Road parking area, Stoke Fleming.
Distance: 4.5 miles
Grade: Moderate.
Terrain: Country lanes, Coast Path, and green lanes. Mostly fairly even underfoot, occasional wet and slippery stretches in wet weather.
The River Erme - Ivybridge to Ermington
A lovely wander following the valley of the River Erme, in an area where the wild beauty of the moor and the mellow delights of rolling South Devon meet and merge.
Start location: Glanvilles Mill/Leonards Road Car Park, Ivybridge
Distance: 7.5 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Footpaths, often through fields; fairly even underfoot, occasional mud after rain; surfaced roads.
Torcross
A gentle walk through a sumptuous landscape: the graceful form of Start Bay curling away to the north and south, freshwater lagoons, meadows, woodland, and peaceful Devon lanes meandering between blossoming banks
Start location: Torcross Car Park
Distance: 2.5 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Route fairly even underfoot. Coastal footpath and field footpaths with occasional mud in wet weather; surfaced road.
Torcross & Stokenham
Cultural Trail: Man and the Landscape. This walk is part of a series of themed trails to help you learn more about the landscape around you. Other trail themes include - Trade & Settlement; Coast & Conflict; Colourful Landscape.
Start location: Torcross Car Park.
Distance: 6 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Coast path, green lane, surfaces road. Mostly fairly even underfoot, with some slippery and muddy patches in wet weather.
Totnes to Dartington
On this walk of fabulous country scenery, the river Dart is the lovely thread which connects Totnes and the Dartington Estate, both places with a fascinating past and vibrant present.
Start location: Steamer Quay Car Park, Totnes
Distance: 6 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: The walk is reasonably even underfoot. Footpaths, occasional muddy patches along river in wet weather; farm track; surfaced road.
Totnes Town Trail
A walk through Totnes' narrow streets to discover a town crammed full of history. This walk can be extended by following the River Dart to nearby Dartington along the riverside path.
Start location: Totnes Wills Memorial Monument on the Plains.
Distance: 1 mile. Approximately 1 hour's walk.
Grade: Gentle - Moderate (challenging in parts)
Terrain: Level in parts with a steep climb up the High Street.
Wembury & Bovisand
An atmospheric walk full of marine life and maritime history. The long reaches of blue sea give way to green fields and dells on the pleasant inland roll home.
Start location: Wembury Beach car park
Distance: 8 miles
Grade: Moderate
Terrain: Coast path and country footpaths, reasonably even underfoot; surfaced roads
Wembury to Plymouth
Cultural Trail: Coast & Conflict. This walk is part of a series of themed trails to help you learn more about the landscape around you. Other trail themes include - Trade & Settlement; Man & the Landscape; Colourful Landscape.
Start location: Wembury Beach car park.
Distance: 12 miles
Grade: Strenuous
Terrain: Coast path and public footpath. Some rocky, uneven, slippery and muddy patches. Surfaced road.
Woodhuish & Mansands
Beautiful beaches, the silvery sea, and the curves, cliffs and coves of a superb stretch of the coast
Start location: Scabbacombe Car Park, Scabbacombe Lane
Distance: 3.5 miles
Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
Terrain: Fairly even coastal footpath; green lane with soggy and muddy sections in wet weather; surfaced road

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