Long Distance Walking in Devon
For those who like a real challenge there are several long
distance footpaths that are either contained in or pass through
Devon
. These walks can be attempted in a number of ways,
either whole as an epic adventure or in a piecemeal fashion over several
weekends or short breaks. As
Devon
is so
welcoming to visitors accommodation is easy to find and many B&Bs near to
major routes are well equipped to deal with muddy walkers. For those who really
like to commune with nature there are plenty of small campsites suitable for
backpackers and low impact wild camping is permitted on
Dartmoor
.
Perhaps the most famous long distance path in
Devon
is the South
West Coast Path. This 630 mile path is the ultimate challenge in the South
West. Starting from Minehead in
Somerset
you
follow the coast through Devon & Cornwall ending at
Poole
Harbour
in
Dorset
.
It would take over 50 days to walk in one go and once completed you will have
climbed 115,000ft, nearly four times the height of Everest. The official guides
to the path SWCP
Books
mean there are plenty of resources for planning an attempt at the path or even the best
way to enjoy weekend trips. This path crosses some of the best scenery in
Devon
and is an ideal base for other shorter walks such
as our Baggy
Point Walk.
The Tarka
Trail forms a 180 mile figure of eight centred on Barnstaple and is based on the bookTarka the Otter . Part of this trail is a popular multi-use path based on the old railway line from
Ilfracombe to Great Torrington. This path is well surfaced and level. I would
actually recommend that walkers avoid this path as it is more suited towards
cyclists and provides a very monotonous route for hikers. IT is a good path for
shorter walks especially as it is highly accessible for wheelchair users. The
section along the Taw Estuary is also a good area for bird watching. The other
half of the figure of eight is a wonderful route passing through some of
Devon
’s wonderful rural pastures. This inland route from
Ilfracombe to Okehampton via
Barnstaple
is
well worth planning a trip for. 
Devon
is perhaps best known
to walkers as the home of Dartmoor & Exmoor. These contrasting moors
provide a challenge that has attracted walkers for years. The Two
Moors Way is a very tempting challenge from Ivybridge to Lynmouth along a
well waymarked route. At 102 miles this is a manageable path that would take
about a week to complete. Not only is it a physical challenge with some
sections of open moorland to cross it can also be a navigational one too! It
takes in many of the highlights of both Moors including Castle Drago on
Dartmoor and Tarr Steps on
Exmoor
.
Finally the Orange
Way is a 350 mile route across
Southern England
that is steeped in history. Whilst it is only in
Devon for a short time I think it is an excellent path for the way it connects history to the landscape. It traces the route that William of Orange and his army took in 1688 from Brixham to
London
.
Along the way there are many opportunities to learn more about the events that
took place along the route that came to be known as the Glorious Revolution. To
be able to walk in the footsteps of these men really brings history to life. There
is an excellent guidebook available for the route The
Orange Way: A Long Distance Walk Following the March of William of Orange from
Brixham to London in 1688 and for anyone interested in learning more about this period in history I recommend The Glorious Revolution: 1688 - Britain's Fight for Liberty
