Lovely walks in South West England can be found on this page. All content is free to download including map, GPS route and statistics. Explore the rugged Cornish coastlines, wild Dartmoor and Exmoor moors, picturesque Dorset beaches, and rolling Somerset hills across South West England.
South West England Walking Routes Index
| Walk Route | Miles | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | The beginnings of modern photography in a medieval village. | |
| 2.5 | A walk along a windswept coast and up a sheltered valley. | |
|
Seatown and Golden Cap
Moderate
|
2.8 | A walk climbing from sea level to reach panoramic views on a Dorset clifftop. |
|
Treen, Gurnard's Head and Porthmeor
Moderate
|
2.8 | Cliff walking on a dramatic north-west Cornish peninsula. |
| 2.8 | From a coastal village to castle ruins linked with legend. | |
|
Venford Reservoir and Bench Tor
Moderate
|
3.0 | A walk to a view of the Dart valley from the gritstone outcrops of Bench Tor. |
| 3.2 | Through the lush woodland of a nature reserve on the edge of a dramatic gorge. | |
|
Carn Brea
Easy
|
3.2 | From Redruth to a castle within an Iron Age hillfort. |
| 3.3 | Away from the crowds in the heart of the Devon countryside. | |
| 3.4 | Across open moorland to see ancient sites and stones. | |
| 3.4 | Walking from the sea through a green valley to lovely Dorset heathland. | |
|
Land's End and Nanjizal Bay
Moderate
|
3.7 | A coastal walk on the most westerly tip of Britain. |
| 3.7 | A bracing walk to Dartmouth Castle and along the fortress cliffs of Little Dartmouth. | |
| 3.8 | From an old world village on a nature trail cupped in downland. | |
| 3.8 | A walk centred on one of the most attractive villages in England. | |
| 4.0 | Along the route of the old Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway. | |
| 4.0 | A rural walk from a lovely village to a little known valley. | |
| 4.1 | Through Dorset countryside from an 18th century village to an ancient abbey. | |
| 4.1 | The haunt of smugglers and the setting of a romantic novel. | |
| 4.1 | Explore timeless Cornish countryside near the Devon border. | |
|
Lynmouth and Waters Meet
Moderate
|
4.2 | Along a steep sided valley and to a fishing village. |
| 4.2 | A walk over quiet and atmospheric moors to prehistoric monuments. | |
| 4.3 | From a Georgian church along an old railway line and country lanes. | |
| 4.3 | A stroll around one of the loveliest villages in the West Country. | |
| 4.4 | A rural walk in Somerset to an 18th century working water mill. | |
| 4.4 | A fossil beach and dramatic landscape on the beautiful Dorset coast. | |
| 4.6 | Along a wooded valley and across the grassy hills of Devon. | |
| 4.6 | From a novelist's village to fabulous views over the Fowey Estuary. | |
| 4.7 | A walk around an ancient fortress and along the beautiful Avon. | |
| 4.7 | Through the Somerset countryside around Mells Stream. | |
| 4.7 | A historic village and a ridge-top walk in the Dorset Downs. | |
|
Haytor Vale and Haytor Rocks
Moderate
|
4.8 | Through the panoramic vistas of Dartmoor to a unique stone railway. |
| 4.9 | A lovely walk to folly with panoramic views from the Purbeck Hills. | |
| 4.9 | A beautiful canal and riverside walk in the heart of the Avon valley. | |
|
Cheddar Gorge
Moderate
|
5.0 | From Cheddar, along the heights above the gorge to the fringe of the Mendip hills. |
| 5.0 | Along the Dorset coastline to an old smugglers haunt. | |
| 5.0 | A riverside walk across the Somerset Levels to an historic abbey. | |
| 5.1 | Walk in the deep gorge cut by the River Teign under Castle Drogo. | |
| 5.2 | Over Dolebury Hill to an Iron Age hillfort. | |
| 5.2 | A breathtaking coastal walk through time amongst the Purbeck quarries. | |
| 5.2 | A ramble through hills, woodland and riversides to a romantic ruin. | |
| 5.2 | Architectural delights and old lanes in a period-piece town. | |
| 5.3 | Through rolling farmland and beside a disused canal. | |
| 5.4 | Over clifftops and past ancient monuments with stunning seascape views. | |
| 5.4 | A walk on open moors with broad vistas in the Quantock Hills. | |
| 5.4 | Through a rugged landscape to Dartmoor's tallest tor. | |
| 5.4 | Ancient sites and a crusader's tomb by the Severn Estuary. | |
| 5.5 | Through hanging woodlands to an ancient escarpment. | |
| 5.5 | A walk combining the most attractive elements of Cornish scenery. | |
| 5.5 | Through the Vale of Pewsey to hills and ancient earthworks. | |
| 5.5 | A walk to the impressive Stanton Drew Stone Circles in a lovely river valley. | |
| 5.5 | Explore the area surrounding the story of Tarka the Otter. | |
| 5.7 | Meadows and a country house by an Avon valley village. | |
| 5.8 | From the Ebble valley to unique chalk carvings and an iron age hillfort on Fovant Down. | |
|
Powerstock and Eggardon Hill
Moderate
|
5.8 | A walk through hidden valleys to a famous viewpoint. |
| 5.8 | A lakeside walk through woodland and along country lanes. | |
| 5.8 | A secluded woodland walk on the outskirts of Bristol. | |
|
Roseland Peninsula Coast Walk
Moderate
|
5.8 | A coastal walk around the headlands of the Roseland Peninsula. |
| 5.9 | From streamside paths to downland views and dense woodland. | |
| 5.9 | An Exmoor walk featuring the heather covered moorland of Dunkery Hill. | |
| 5.9 | Magnificent views and an archaeological treasure house. | |
| 6.1 | Along the bank of the broad River Severn and across fields to a hamlet. | |
| 6.4 | Walk over beautiful Downland with an isolated feel, right on Bath's doorstep. | |
| 6.4 | Magnificent views from two hilltop forts and a riverside path. | |
| 6.5 | To the ruggedness of Exmoor, following in the footsteps of the lawless Doone family. | |
| 6.5 | A walk along a Roman road to a monument and a white horse. | |
| 6.5 | An Exmoor ramble through wooded valleys and high-banked lanes. | |
| 6.5 | Following leafy lanes and a coastal path round an important nature reserve. | |
| 6.6 | Rural Cornwall, from Boscastle harbour to a Hardy monument. | |
| 6.6 | A walk around a Cornish peninsula which overlooks Devon's greatest city. | |
| 6.7 | Across the Dorset Downs overlooking the English Channel. | |
| 6.8 | A walk through the flat wetlands of the Somerset Levels. | |
| 6.8 | Across heathland and along the coast south of Studland Bay. | |
| 6.8 | A walk through beautiful gardens and countryside on the Somerset and Dorset border. | |
|
Portland Bill Peninsula Coastal Walk
Moderate
|
6.9 | A walk exploring the quarries and coastline of the Isle of Portland. |
| 7.1 | Wooded valleys, high hills and clifftops paths around Looe. | |
| 7.2 | Through high moorland scenery to a remarkable prehistoric site. | |
| 7.3 | Approaching a famous ancient site through varied countryside. | |
| 7.5 | Along an unusual waterway to an unspoilt coastal path. | |
| 7.6 | Two different landscapes around a historic town. | |
| 7.7 | A varied walk through a deep wooded gorge to the mysterious sites of Neolithic Man. | |
|
Lundy Island
Moderate
|
7.7 | An exploration of the wildlife haven that is Lundy Island. |
| 8.1 | A walk on country lanes and along a thrilling clifftop path. | |
| 8.6 | A walk exploring Britian's finest collection of prehistoric monuments. | |
| 9.1 | A walk over the Wiltshire Downs to an ancient trackway and a hilltop fort. | |
| 9.5 | Explore an unusual system of disused railways and canals. | |
| 9.7 | A walk up the scarp and along the spine of the Quantock Hills. |
Feedback and Suggestions
I am always pleased to receive feedback on the structure and content of the website. I also welcome suggestions on how I can improve the website which may include new areas to cover, new walks or route alterations to existing walks. To get in touch with feedback and/or suggestions please contact me on one of my social media links. Thank you.
(Note: Walking without proper preparation can be dangerous. Information and downloads on this website are provided free of charge; it is each walker's responsibility to check the material and use accordingly. Postscript: My walk reports are not route guides and should not be treated as such. They are written with personal reflections of my walks.)
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