Unmissable Hiking and Biking Trails in Devon

Devon is a fantastic county offering many superb opportunities for outdoor activities, especially walking and cycling. There is a wide variety of terrain with well-marked footpaths and trails along coast – South West Coast Path, moorland – Dartmoor and Exmoor and estuaries – River Exe, Teign, Erme, Yealm, Torridge and Otter to name a few. Whether you are looking for a Sunday afternoon stroll, a family bike ride or serious hiking or biking challenge, Devon has it all.

Devon is a hilly county so some cycles and walks can be quite challenging and the terrain tricky to navigate, make sure you are aware of what to expect on the route so you don’t run out of energy along the way, get lost or miss notable viewpoints or highlights on the trail. Don’t forget also there are plenty of pubs and cafes if you need a well-earned rest on the way. If you are coming down to Devon on holiday or for a short break there are lots of opportunities to buy outdoor gear as many towns and villages have shops offering everything from camping gear to cycling and walking equipment. Bikes can be hired if you want to explore on two wheels and if you are not able to bring your own with you. In addition, you can find maps and trail guides either online or at Tourist Information Centres so you can prepare properly before you head out. Make sure you have enough water, snacks and necessary clothing, maps for navigation etc just incase conditions change.

Wherever you do visit, don’t forget to look up our nearby attractions for refreshments as many have great facilities and are dog friendly. Not forgetting the attractions in our group that have great walking and biking opportunities including:

Canonteign Falls:             Discover the highest waterfall in the Southwest with wonderful views. https://www.devonstopattractions.co.uk/attractions/canonteign-falls/

Becky Falls:                        Ancient woodland park with trails, animals and nature challenge. https://www.devonstopattractions.co.uk/attractions/becky-falls/

River Dart Country Pk:    90 acres of parkland and playgrounds to explore plus Dartmoor Bike Park. https://www.devonstopattractions.co.uk/attractions/river-dart-country-park/

Haldon Forest Park:        Easy to follow walks and cycle trails, stunning views and activities for all ages. https://www.devonstopattractions.co.uk/attractions/haldon-forest-park/

Lundy Island:                    Explore the beautiful island located 10 miles off the North Devon coast. https://www.devonstopattractions.co.uk/attractions/lundy-island/

Killerton Estate:               One of the National Trust’s magnificent estates with many trails to discover. https://www.devonstopattractions.co.uk/attractions/killerton-national-trust/

Our latest DATA guide has Long Distance Footpaths listed on the Beach Map.

See below a list of ten of some of the well-known hiking and cycling trails in Devon:

NAME OF TRAIL              DESCRIPTION

Tarka Trail                          Walking & cycling – A long “figure-of-eight” route in North Devon (180 miles) centred around Barnstaple; traffic-free sections, family friendly segments.  Travel Devon+3visitdevon.co.uk+3Wikipedia+3

Granite Way                      Cycling & walking – An 11-mile traffic-free walking/cycling trail between Okehampton and Lydford, part of the national network. Wikipedia+2Travel Devon+2

Drake’s Trail                      Walking & cycling – A 21 mile walking/cycling route between Tavistock and Plymouth along the western edge of Dartmoor.  Travel Devon+1

Dartmoor Way                  Walking & cycling – A 90 mile circular route route around the Dartmoor National Park for cyclists, walking variations are also available. The Dartmoor Way – VisitDartmoor

Two Moors Way               Walking – A long distance walking route (100-116 miles) linking Dartmoor and Exmoor, coast to coast style. The Two Moors Way – Devon’s Coast to Coast Walking Route

Exe Estuary Trail              Walking & cycling – A 26 mile mainly flat route around the Exe Estuary (Exmouth to Dawlish/Exeter) which is great for families. Exe Estuary Trail – Explore Devon

S W Coast Path                 Walking – The Devon section of the famous long-distant trail has dramatic cliffs, estuaries and stunning views but you can just walk shorter sections. South West Coast Path – National Trails

South Hams Way             Walking – A circular route through the South Hams with a mixture of moorland, coast and hills.

Devon Coast to Coast     Cycling – A 99 mile (approx.) cycling route from Ilfracombe to Plymouth via parts of the Granite Way, Drakes Trail etc. Walk Wheel Cycle Trust+1

Tiverton to Bampton      Cycling & walking – A shorter loop in Mid Devon of about 8-11 miles via quiet lanes which is good for moderate outings. Walk Wheel Cycle Trust

East Devon Way               Walking – A 40-mile walking route through East Devon linking rivers, woodland, heathland and valleys. It’s divided into six stages from Exmouth to Lyme Regis (or vice versa) so great for multi-day or day-hikes. eastdevon-nl.org.uk. It offers “circular routes” and “link routes” so you can pick shorter segments.

With such a great variety of locations to explore there’s no reason not to grab your walking boots or cycling gear and head out for a fantastic day enjoying the spectacular Devon scenery and all the great outdoors has to offer!