Out & About

Where will you walk today?

Some sites will have on and off lead areas and seasonal differences, which means that some locations will have more than one coloured paw print. Check on site for further information.

The information here is as accurate as possible but please check on site as circumstances may change.

If you notice any information is wrong please contact us so that we can put it right.

Remember… Wherever you are please follow the Four Paws Code, keep your dog in sight, prevent them from disturbing other people, wildlife or grazing animals and always bag it and bin it.

Take only memories, leave only paw prints.

Walks

Circular wooden bench at the top of Ridgetop Park

Ridgetop Park is a fantastic new dog walking area on the outskirts of Exeter, with plenty of room to explore and far reaching views in all directions. This park has been designed with dog walking in mind, so you'll find plenty of dog bins, maps and interpretation boards to help you find your way around, as well as benches for a well earned rest when you reach the top and lots of safe open space for sniffing and playing. At the moment (March 23) there is just one car park, but in the future more will be added. There are lots of pedstrian entrances into the park, but listed here is the entrance from the car park.

Ridgetop Park
Trood Lane
Haldon Reach
Alphington
Exeter
Nearest postcode EX2 OAQ

Directions: Please follow directions carefully as this new park isn't signposted yet and the car park is accessed through the Haldon Reach development which is still being built. The What3Words reference is estate.voices.flames
From the Devon Hotel roundabout at Matford, follow the main road uphill towards Alphington. At the first set of traffic lights turn left into the Bovis Homes Haldon Reach development. Take the first right and drive past the Matford Brook Academy which is still being built. You will have the school development on your right and completed houses on your left. At the end of the houses turn right along the single track lane and the car park is just along the lane on the left. Please note the postcode is a guide only and will not take you to the car park.

Dogs playing on Budleigh Beach

Budleigh Salterton has a beautiful pebble beach, some of which is accessible all year round with your dog. Pay and display parking is available at Lime Kiln car park, dogs are welcome all year round on the beach from the end of the beach huts nearest the car park to the mouth of the River Otter. You can also extend your walk along the Otter Estuary if you wish. Toilets, dog bins, water refill points and refreshments are all available on the seafront. Dogs on leads are welcome on the promenade. 

There is an additional area at the opposite end of the beach (past the town) where dogs are welcome all year round - follow the signs on site.

Holcombe beach

At low tide you can enjoy a walk along the beach with your dog from Teignmouth to Holcombe. Pay and display parking is available in Eastcliff car park, get to the seafront by following the path at the very bottom of the car park. Once on the seawall, access the beach via Eastcliff slipway and turn left towards Holcombe. Please note dogs are not permitted to the right of the slipway from 1st April -30th September. You can also walk the same route along the seawall next to the railway line. For safety, dogs should be on lead on this section of seawall.
Public toilets, dog bins and a refreshment kiosk can be found on the seawall.

Please note bathing water quality at Holcombe is affected by a storm overflow

Back Beach in Teignmouth, lined with small boats

Located on the estuary side of the town this charming beach really does transport you to days gone by. Local fisherman mend nets, sand eels are caught, boats bob up and down with the tide and children splash and play. Take time to relax and breathe in the sea air. Dogs are welcome along the Back Beach from the Ship Inn to the Lighthouse all year round. Dog bins can be found at entrance points to the beach. 

Local facilities:

refreshment kiosks
parking including disabled parking
toilets & disabled toilets
pleasure boat cruises
ferry to Shaldon (dog friendly)

Please note lifeguards do not patrol this beach.

Ness Cove in the sunshine

A Seaside Award and Marine Conservation Society recommended beach, Ness Cove lies at the foot of the magnificent Ness Headland at the mouth of the Teign Estuary.

Access is via an original smugglers tunnel to a secluded and picturesque sand and shingle beach. There are over 100 steps down to the beach so it isn't suitable for people or dogs with limited mobility. A large car park, toilets and dog bins are located at the top of the tunnel. Dogs are welcome on this beach all year round. Please note lifeguards do not patrol this beach.

 

Area - this walk includes some sections of the SW Coast Path, wild flower meadows, stunning coastal views and the opportunity to return along the beach.

Length of walk: 2 miles

Dogs on leads: recommended for all cliff top areas. Livestock grazing at certain times throughout the year - check signage on site.

Accessibility: Walk includes, tarmac paths, fields and clifftop. Optional section down steps and ladder to access the beach - agile people and dogs only!

Park at Foxholes longstay car park, Queens Drive, Exmouth EX8 2AY

Take the steps from the back of the car park at the left end of the beach chalets. Turn right at the top of the steps, follow the SW Coastpath past the top of the zig zag steps to the beach and past the dog bins. Follow signs for the SW Coastpath. Continue onto the National Trust High Land of Orcombe. Follow the fingerpost sign for Orcombe Point. 

Before the Geoneedle, head left through the kissing gate into National Trust fields. Livestock sometimes graze this area so you may need to keep your dog on lead. Wild flowers are widespread during spring and summer so please keep to the mown path.

Continue upwards through 3 fields. At the top of the third field, don't go through the gate, instead follow the fenceline towards the cliffs and rejoin the SW Coastpath. Turn right onto the path, make sure you keep your dog on lead on these cliff edges and continue towards the Geoneedle which marks the westernmost point of the Jurrasic Coast. Just before the kissing gate you can choose your return path;

Option 1 - follow the path back to the top of the zig zag path, then head down the zig zag and return either along the beach or along the promenade.

Option 2 - for adventurous people and dogs only, PLUS you need to check the tide is out. Follow the path to the left (Rodney Point) and access the beach via steps and finally a 10 runged fixed ladder to the beach (agile dogs will find their own way down). Once on the beach, turn right and walk back towards the start point.

View from the woodland area

A short but interesting walk with lovely estuary views. Free parking and dog bins are available in the main car park. The walk starts at the back of the car park near the shaded car parking area. Walk up through the wooded path on the right before enjoying the vast views from the top of the hill. Then either enjoy a loop of the enclosed field or head down the main track towards the fishing and wetland area. Please note cattle do graze the field at some times of the year.

After a run around the field you can enjoy the peace and tranquility of the fishing and wetland area. Please keep dogs on the path and out of the water and follow the footpath to the bird hide at the end. Don't forget your binoculars as there are often many species of birds feeding and resting here, especially over autumn and winter. 

Return to the start by walking around the bottom of the crop field, stop off for a visit to the animals on route if you wish.

Person walking a Border Terrier across Mutters Moor

You'll find free car parking and a dog bin at this site. Dogs are welcome to explore off lead but please keep to the paths as the gorse and heather is home to lots of special wildlife. There are a variety of tracks to follow, covering heathland and woodland with stunning views over the surrounding coast and countryside.

Mutters Moor car park
Peak Hill Road
Sidmouth
EX10 0NW
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View over Coombe Wood Farm

Just outside Sidmouth, near the Norman Lockyer Observatory is Salcombe Hill. Managed by the National Trust, you'll find an array of footpaths following clifftop, open farmland and woodland. Parking is available (pay by phone or free for National Trust members) and you'll find an information point and dog bin in the car park. Please check local signage as livestock are sometimes grazing on farmland. Beware of cliff edges.

Sign for Trinity Hill

You'll find a whole network of paths through beautiful forest scenery to explore with your dog. Free car parking, information and a dog bin is available in the Forestry England car park.

An ancient tree in the Country Park

Cranbrook Country Park lies at the heart of the new town of Cranbrook on the outskirts of Exeter. It consists of around 30 hectares (and growing) of beautiful, varied habitats and public amenity spaces. Running through the centre of the Country Park is the Cranny Brook, lined with trees providing shade and plenty of access points for a paddle (or a doggy dip!) Dogs with good recall are welcome off the lead throughout the whole park. However, the large meadow on the South side of the London road is a definite favourite for owners whose dogs need a large space to run freely and burn off some extra energy. There is a co-op in Cranbrook and Café 143 (located by the Younghayes Centre on the map) as well as the Cranberry Farm pub. Free parking is available at the train station. The Dog Walkers Code of Conduct can be found by clicking Download PDF. 

Map of Dawlish Countryside Park

Dawlish Countryside Park is 65-acres of open countryside where dogs can run free! 

Explore the Park with longer or shorter walks, enjoy the whole park taking in the amazing views from the Ridge Path, the Island Viewpoint and The Lookout. For a shorter and more gentle route, you can walk past the Bird Feeding Station to the Coffee Curve seat with sea views.  You can walk freely around the many meadow paths - with room to run and room to roam. Free parking.

View of cliffs taken from coast path

A moderately difficult walk with outstanding views from the South West coast path, this walk starts in the village of Branscombe and follows the Jurassic Coast to Beer.

You can view the National Trust's suggested circular walk

 

Open grassland of the Maer Nature Reserve

For a gentle stroll away from Exmouth's sea front, why not enjoy the Maer Local Nature Reserve? With plenty of parking nearby, a children's play park, toilets and barbeques for hire this a great spot.

A haven for wildlife and insects, the Maer provides easy walking on its soft sandy soil. Dogs are welcome all year round but need to be kept under close control. Please use the dog bins provided.

For a circular route check out the Wild East Devon route

Woodland path on the Killerton Estate

Explore Park Wood, Deodar Glen and The Plains finishing with an interesting view of the old quarry and extinct volcano. The outstanding Killerton views come to life on this dog-friendly walk.

View from the East Devon Way

East Devon District Council, East Devon Aera of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Ramblers have developed a series of walks to explore the beautiful East Devon countryside. Check out East Devon Way for a range of walks around the AONB.

View at Ludwell Valley Park

Explore Exeter's Riverside Valley Park with a 3.5 mile walk through Ludwell Valley Park.

See more information and download the leaflet.

Devon Wildlife Trust useful information.

Man walking his dog, pushing a pushchair

A 5.5 mile walk starting at Dawlish Warren train station, around Dawlish and back.

Download Dawlish Discovery Walk

A picture of a labrador and smaller corgi-type dog wearing bandanas and waiting for a walk

An easy 2 mile circular walk which is dog-friendly. Stroll across Front Park and up Dolbury Hill to climb an extinct volcano, which is home to a legendary dragon. There's an Iron Age hill fort at the top and views across the Exe Valley. Can be muddy so unsuitable for pushchairs.

Dogs playing on a pebble beach

This 5.5 mile circular walk starts in the coastal town of Sidmouth in East Devon.

It takes in some stunning views of the Jurassic Coast, gently rising to around 200m above sea level.

Woodland path at Decoy Country Park

Decoy Country Park is in Newton Abbot, South Devon.

It is a beautiful country park around a lake, with lots of opportunities to spot a host of different wildlife. It has a selection of walks of different distances and is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. It is accessible by bus and car and is a short walk from Newton Abbot train station.

 

Brown and white dog in a field

Enjoy this 2.5 mile walk around the Killerton Estate near Broadclyst in East Devon.

There’s lots of space for dogs to be exercised on and off the lead, at the same time as enjoying the stunning landscape views.