DEVON SPRING WALKS

Spring is the perfect season for hiking or walking, with more sunny days, a gentle breeze and lots of beautiful wildflowers. It’s time to put your walking boots on and explore more of what Devon has to offer. (All route statistics are rough estimates.)

Bigbury-on-Sea
4 miles 2 hours

This walk has a great mix of coast, woodland and countryside, perfect for spotting wildflowers and wildlife.

Park in the Bigbury-on-Sea car park, head down to the beach if you can’t resist the golden sand and then head back up to the car park to begin your walk. Follow the public footpath signs at the top left of the car park and head North Easterly following the South West Coast Path. You will walk past Challaborough and Toby’s Point before making the steep descent down to Ayrmer Cove. Walk over the river and take the public footpath on your right which heads inland to the village of Ringmore, passing sheep in the valley.

Once you walk past Manor Farm, follow the public footpath around to your right where you will meet the quaint Journey’s End Inn where they serve a delicious Sunday roast. From the pub, continue your walk towards the church in the centre of the village and then head right at the crossroads, continue down this road to join back onto the public footpath. Walk over two steep valleys and then at the top of the second valley, you will be met with a fence. With the fence on your left, head right and follow the fence into the next field and then straight down through Bigbury-on-Sea to the car park.

Dogmarsh Bridge via Castle Drogo
5 miles 2.5 hours

This walk follows the stunning River Teign and Teign Gorge up to Fingle Bridge and Castle Drogo.

Begin at Dogmarsh Bridge, you can either park on the grass verge or if you plan to have a pub lunch afterwards, you can park in a nearby pub car park. (We recommend asking the pub beforehand if this is okay to do so) Head east through the gate and onto the path which follows the tranquil river Teign and the Teign Gorge. Keep the river to your right and follow it around until you reach Fingle Bridge.

Fingle Bridge is a beautiful 17th-century stone arch bridge. Opposite the bridge is Fingle Bridge Inn, a lovely pub if you needed a spot to rest.

After Fingle Bridge, stay on the road heading North for a few meters and then take the next left footpath. Follow this path passing Hunting Gate, Sharp Tor, Castle Drogo and Hunter’s Tor. Head North and follow the footpath until you reach a T junction of paths. Take the left footpath which will take you back down to the River Teign. From there you will recognise the path you originally came from which will take you back to your car.

Start Point to Torcross
7.5 miles 3.5 hours

On a beautiful spring day, this coastal walk along Start Bay will give you epic views of the 15-mile stretch of coastline. This walk involves walking back the same way you came. Depending on your walking abilities, there are three great options.

Begin at the Start Point car park and head right, and take the 1.3-mile walk along the dramatic headline to reach the Start Point Lighthouse. This stretch of coastline is one of the best coastal walks along the South West Coast Path.

If you fancy a longer walk, head back the way you came and carry along the coast path passed Hallsands before reaching Beesands. A quaint seaside village with cottages and a pub lining the coast and a beautiful beach.

If you feel like exploring more of this coastline, carry on the coast path until reaching Torcross. Be sure to check out Stokeley Farm Shop for a browse and a bite to eat at their café. To get back to your car, simply head back the way you came, taking in all of the breathtaking views along the way.