The county of Devon comprises two national parks – Dartmoor and Exmoor – along with a host of other beautiful landscapes, from rugged coasts and wildlife-rich nature reserves, to waterfalls, river valleys and moorland. Explore this glorious county on foot with our favourite Devon walks.

By Daniel Graham

Published: Friday, 03 March 2023 at 12:00 am

From dramatic coastal hikes to fossil hunting and national park walks, Devon has something for everyone. Discover the county on foot with our pick of the best day walks and hiking routes in Devon.

Heading to one of Devon’s two national parks? Check out our guides to best walks in Dartmoor and Exmoor.

Looking for more walks?

• Best walks in Cornwall
• Best walks in Somerset
• Best walks in Dorset

Walks in Devon

Lydford Gorge

2.7 miles/4.3km | 2hours | moderate

Stretching for 1.5 miles, the steep-sided Lydford Gorge is a spectacular chasm in the hills. At one end lies the impressive Devil’s Cauldron whirlpool, while the 30m (100ft)-high White Lady waterfall is at the other.

• Walk: Lydford Gorge, Devon

---

Bystock Nature Reserve

6 miles | 3.5 hours | easy-moderate

In May, this east Devon reserve hums with signs of deepest spring – songbirds wheel from tree to tree, invertebrates chatter from within the heath and adders bask in the warming sun.

• Walk: Bystock Nature Reserve, Devon

Find a nature reserve near you

Explore meadows, wetlands, ancient woodlands, moorland, heathlands, coast and mountains with our guide to Britain’s best nature reserves for walks and wildlife.

• Britain’s best nature reserves for walks and wildlife

---

Branscombe to Beer

3 miles/4.8km | 2 hours | moderate

If you’ve built up a thirst walking from Branscombe along Devon’s coastal cliffs and beaches to Beer, then you’re in luck – the tiny seaside village has a handful of traditional pubs, perfect for a well-earned pint.

• Walk: Branscombe to Beer, East Devon

---

Elberry, Churston and Fishcombe, Devon

3.7 miles/6km | 2.5 hours | moderate

Explore South Devon on this two-hour walk along beautiful coastlines, semi-ancient woodlands and spot grey seals in the calm waters of Fishcombe Cove.

• Walk: Elberry, Churston and Fishcombe, Devon

---

Wistman’s Wood

2.8 miles/4.5km | 1.5 hours | easy-moderate

Dartmoor National Park’s ancient Wistman’s Wood is reached on an easy walk on a waymarked path from Two Bridges car park. Peer in beneath the trees’ lichen-covered boughs to a woodland that has remained unspoilt for hundreds of years.

• Walk: Wistman’s Wood, Devon

---

Brixham and Berry Head

4 miles / 6.4km | 2.5 hours | moderate

This 4-mile circular walk from Brixham to Berry Head includes a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hind, an section of the South West Coast Path and an old fort and gun battery.

• Walk: Brixham and Berry Head, Devon

---

Belstone

5.5 miles/8.8 km | 4 hours | moderate

Discover the delicate tones of the skylark, and many other Dartmoor delights, on this remote ramble through the national park’s northern moors and tors.

• Walk: Belstone, Devon

---

East Lyn River

6.8 miles/11km | 4 hours | moderate

Rising high above Exmoor, the East Lyn River flows through the East Lyn Valley in Devon to the picturesque village of Lynmouth. This beautiful six-mile walk begins at Lynmouth in the Exmoor National Park and follows the East Lyn River upstream to Rockford before heading back to the coast.

• Walk: East Lyn River, Devon

Step off the ferry and take a stroll along Devon’s South West Coast Path to the lush gardens of a 20th-century estate, home to exotic ferns, trickling water features and woodland glades.

• Walk: Coleton Fishacre, South Devon

Find a country garden near you

From coastal terraced gardens to Italianate marvels, here is our pick of the best country gardens to visit in spring and summer in the UK.

• Best country gardens to visit in the UK

---

Rich in history and legend, Dartmoor National Park offers an exhilarating challenge for walkers and some of the most dramatic views in England. Follow our circular walking route starting and finishing at Sharpitor and taking in views of Burrator Reservoir

• Walk: Sharpitor and Burrator Reservoir, Devon

Discover more wonderful walks

• Best canal and riverside pubs in Britain
• Britain’s best beaches
• Best walks in Wales

---

Great Staple and White Tor

6.4 miles/10.3km | 4.5 hours | moderate-challenging

Explore mysterious remains left by our distant ancestors on wild and beautiful Dartmoor with a walk from Great Staple Tor to White Tor.

• Walk: White Tor, Devon

Discover more Dartmoor walks

This huge moorland scattered with staggering granite tors in the south-east of Devon is a hiker’s paradise – discover the best walking routes in Dartmoor National Park with our guide.

• Best walks in Dartmoor National Park

---

Teign Gorge

6.9km/4.3 miles | 2.5 hours | moderate

Take an autumn walk from Castle Drogo through Piddledown Common and Fingle Wood a see one of England’s largest woodland restoration projects.

• Walk: Teign Gorge, Devon

---

Hound Tor

5.3 miles/8.5km | 4 hours | moderate-challenging

Ghosts, witches and dragons: walkers looking for some scary stories should head for Dartmoor. This moderate walking route takes in a host of Dartmoor’s famous tors – Saddle, Haytor, Howell Tor and Hound Tor.

• Walk: Hound Tor, Devon

---

Elwill Bay

7.4 miles/11.9 km | 4.5 hours | moderate

Begin in a verdant inland valley of Exmoor National Park before striking out on to the South West Coast Path with beautiful views across Elwill Bay on this eight-mile coast walk.

• Walk: Elwill Bay, Devon

---

Gutter Tor and Higher Hartor Tor

4 miles/6.4km | 2.5 hours | moderate

The hills, moorlands and coastlines of Devon’s landscape have long provided inspiration for Britain’s authors, poets and playwrights, from Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle to Thomas Hardy and Jane Austen. Discover the landscape that inspired Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse with this four-mile walk from Gutter Tor to Higher Hartor Tor in Dartmoor National Park.

• Walk: Gutter Tor, Devon

---

Heddon Valley to Foreland Point

9 miles/14.5km | 6–8 hours | challenging

With almost 900m of ascent, this coastal walk between two National Trust bothies is about as dramatic as they come. But it is well worth the effort – just don’t forget to bring a sleeping bag.

• Walk: Heddon Valley to Foreland Point, Devon

---