Our Favourite North Devon Walks
Exploring North Devon on Foot
Our local North Devon walks encompass almost every backdrop you can think of; dramatic clifftops, secluded beaches, green hills, rugged moors, ancient wooded valleys, vast dunes, fast-flowing rivers, gentle streams, and rolling seas.
There’s no better way to explore North Devon’s diverse and stunning landscape than by foot so here are 3 of our favourite trails.
Morte Point Walk
1.5 HRS | 2.2 MILES | EASY
Follow the rocky footsteps of smugglers as you walk this dramatic stretch of the North Devon coastline.
Starting out at Mortehoe village car park, this short circular walk takes you out onto the local landmark Morte Point and boasts stunning vistas towards Woolacombe beach and Baggy Point.
The Route
- From the main entrance to Mortehoe village car park turn left and walk past the village shop. Keep right taking the lane signposted ‘Coast Path’. Now follow the National Trust path to Morte Point, keeping to the right of the cemetery and passing through the official gates onto Morte Point.
- Keep walking straight on, before taking the left-hand grass track downhill. After approximately 400 meters you will join a footpath that links to the coast path. The Coast path will then take you around Morte Point.
-
Continue to follow the path until you reach the signpost and then follow the direction for ‘Mortehoe ½ mile.’
-
As you walk up the slope be sure to keep the old wall to your left until you reach the cemetery again, from here you can trace your steps back to the Mortehoe Car Park from which you set out.
Lynmouth – Watersmeet Walk
2.5HRS | 5.5 MILES | CHALLENGING
Discover some of Exmoor’s most stunning scenery including coastal views, ancient woodland, and water rapids on this on this beautiful Devon walk.
From the charming harbourside village of Lynmouth, this circular walk follows the East Lyn River and the Hoar Oak River, through to their stunning merging point at the Watersmeet National Trust café, the perfect spot for a hard-earned Devon cream tea.
The Route
Starting out from the top left corner of Lynmouth public car park walk towards the metal bridge with the white railings just ahead of you, keeping the East Lyn River to your left. Cross the bridge and then turn right. Follow the river (now to your right) upstream towards Watersmeet.
Follow the green public footpath signed ‘Watersmeet 1¾’. When you reach the fork in the path you’ll see a signpost for ‘Watersmeet 1¼ Riverside Walk’ to the right and ‘Watersmeet 1¼ Woodland Walk’ to the left. Both paths will lead you to Watersmeet, but our personal favourite is the left path which winds along the side of the lush valley.
Continue along your chosen path until you reach Watersmeet House. This picturesque former fishing lodge now acts as a tea room and information centre operated by the National Trust. Open throughout the spring and summer it provides the perfect place to stop for a rest. Cross the two bridges to the right of the house to take in the waterfalls just above the convergence of the East Lyn and the Hoar Oak Rivers.
Keep walking (keep Watersmeet House to your left and the East Lyn River to your right) following the footpath behind the house which is signposted ‘Footpath Rockford 1½’. When you reach the signpost for Countisbury, head left up through the zigzag path into the woods.
Continue following the path up through the woods, once it levels out look for the split and take a sharp left (there’s no signpost!) Now follow the main path as it zigzags upward toward Trilly Ridge.
When you reach the four-finger signpost, head left following ‘Winston’s Path’ around the side of the hill towards Countisbury. When you reach the head of Chiselcombe (a steep-sided valley that falls away to your left) you’ll see a signpost for Countisbury. Follow this path heading through the gate and across the field toward the Exmoor Bunkhouse buildings ahead of you. Go through the gate at the end of the field on the left and down onto the main road
Turn right following the road past Exmoor Bunkhouse, until you reach the (dog-friendly) Blue Ball Inn. Now cross the road to the car park opposite and head through the small gate in the righthand corner following the sign to “Countisbury church and Coast Path”. Go up the road to the church and through the churchyard and follow the path to the left around the Church tower. Continue out of the gate behind the church onto the open moorland on the clifftop.
Now turn left and follow the path until you reach the signpost set in the wall to your left. Turn right to follow the South West Coast Path (acorn symbol) following the path along the cliffside down toward Lynmouth until it reaches the main A39 Lynmouth–Minehead road.
Across the road from you, you’ll see a signpost showing ‘Public Bridleway Wind Hill 2/3 mile.’ Turn right here into the lay-by and walk to the end where you will see a South West Coast Path signpost. Follow the path along the top of the bank to avoid passing traffic.
Continue downhill along the path following the signposts for ‘Public Footpath Lynmouth’. When you reach the tarmac drive at the bottom of the hill, take a left, and continue walking until you reach the banks of the East Lyn River in Lynmouth. Walk toward the bridge and you’ll be able to see the car park you set out from on the left-hand side.
Visit The National Website Trust For Full Details
Woolacombe Beach Walk
0.5HRS | 1 MILE | MODERATE
This short walk takes you through the sand dunes and along Woolacombe beach taking in a stretch of the South West Coast Path. It’s a firm favourite with both families and dog walkers throughout the year.
The Route
- Set out from Marine Drive Car Park dropping down into the sand dunes until you reach the National Trust dog bin and bench.
- Now follow the South West Coast Path until you arrive at a large waymark post.
- Now turn right heading down the track until you reach a junction in the dunes.
- Turn right at the junction heading down through the dunes and onto the beach. Once on the beach head right towards Mill Rock.
- Just past Mill Rock head up through a gap in the dunes and back toward Marine Drive Car Park.
