Time and again our holidaymakers tell us that they love walking in the West Country. With 630 miles of South West Coast Path, rugged moorland (Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bodmin Moor) and countless picturesque villages and towns to explore, there’s plenty of inspiring choice.
Where to start? Here are our top ten walks, chosen for their ease, stunning scenery (plenty of photo opportunities!) and places to stop along the route for refreshments.
1. Chagford to Steps Bridge via Castle Drogo – from our home town beside the river Teign down to Steps Bridge. Lunch and a drink at picturesque Fingle Bridge. A detour to Castle Drogo is worth the climb. View holiday cottages in Dartmoor
2. Galmpton to Kingswear to Dartmouth to Greenway – beside the Dart from Galmpton down to Kingswear. Ferry across to Dartmouth. Thereʼs an hourly ferry from Dartmouth to Dittisham and over the river to Greenway (Agatha Christie), then back along the river to Galmpton. Lots of interesting stopping/lunch points. View holiday cottages in the South Hams
3. Doone Country – up Badgworthy Water to the Doone Valley beside the picturesque stream. View holiday cottages in Exmoor
4. Taste of Dartmoor – from Two Bridges up the West Dart valley, past Wistmanʼs Wood to Higher White Tor, back for tea at the Two Bridges Hotel. View holiday cottages in Dartmoor
5. Noss Mayo and the Coastal Path – Lord Revelstoke's Drive – almost flat. Starting and ending in Noss Mayo (good pub), this walk takes in some of the coastal path – good views – and, in summer, the most beautiful yachting/boating scenes in Devon. View holiday cottages in the South Hams
6. Kingsand around Rame Head – pretty villages, magnificent views, a lonely 10th century chapel and a pub at the end… View holiday cottages in South Cornwall
7. Helford, St Antony in Meneage, Manaccan and back – easy walking along the banks of the beautiful Helford River. View holiday cottages in Cornwall’s Med
8. Landʼs End, Sennen, Coastal Path to Botallack and pick up – itʼs quite a long walk, so best to get someone to drive round and pick up in Botallack (pub). View holiday cottages in End of England
And two longer walks...
9. The Camel Trail – walk it or cycle it – Padstow to Bodmin and Blisland. Blisland has a good pub and the trail follows the route of the old railway line, hugging the river Camel most of the way to Padstow. Bridge Bike Hire in Wadebridge offers (surprise, surprise) bike hire and a car park – perfect. View holiday cottages in North Cornwall
10. Two Castles Trail – Okehampton Castle to Launceston Castle – The Royal Oak at Bridestowe for lunch. Beautiful views over the western edge of Dartmoor and down into Cornwall. View holiday cottages in Devon’s River Country
Let us know if you've tried any of these walks, and remember to let us know your favourites too!
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