The county of Devon is located in south-west England and borders Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. Head to its northern coastline and you'll meet the Bristol Channel and the Atlantic Ocean, go south and you'll discover the English Channel.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dartmouth to Dittisham
8.8 miles/14.2km | 5 hours | moderate
Walk from the hustle and bustle of Dartmouth through ancient oak woodland and along country lanes to the sail boats and colourful cottages of Dittisham, with lovely ferry rides on the way.
Coleton Fishacre
7 miles/11.3km | 4.5 hours | moderate
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.
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.
Burrator
5.2 miles/8.4km | 3.5 hours | moderate
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
Discover more wonderful walks
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
