Devon is a paradise for anyone who loves getting up close to nature. It’s the only county in England to have two separate coastlines so from seaside to moorland to seaside and back again, there is a plethora of unspoilt, wide-open spaces for you to discover.
For those wanting to get out and about, Devon really is a wonderfully green place, with the vast majority of its land used for farming, while over 35% of the county is moorland and 10% is covered in woodland. These precious areas of trees make shady havens for nature and wonderfully peaceful landscapes to explore.
Wherever in the county you might be, you are never very far from a forest path… Here are some of our favourite woodland walks in Devon to get you started…
North Devon
Lined with countless surfing beaches and the wilds of Dartmoor and Exmoor, North Devon is full of fabulous days out in nature. Close to superb eateries and with plenty of things to do nearby, these woodlands have everything you need for a memorable day out.
East Lyn River Loop, Lynmouth
Best for: Waterside woodland wanders
Terrain: Riverside, ancient woodland, steep paths in places
Facilities: Car park, shops, toilets, tearooms
This beautiful 6-mile circular walk begins at Lynmouth in the Exmoor National Park and follows the East Lyn River upstream to Rockford before heading back to the coast for the return journey.
This walk offers peaceful riverside paths, passing swirling pools and tumbling falls, all within the calm of ancient woodlands. This is also a popular walk with nature lovers as there is the chance of spotting otters and kingfishers from the banks of the East Lyn River as well as numerous other species of birds and a cornucopia of seasonal flowers, ferns, mosses and lichens underneath the canopy. Visit in the autumn to bask in a kaleidoscope of autumn colour!
The path passes a lovely old stone bridge and there is a tearoom to enjoy at Watersmeet at about the halfway point. From here, the track follows the roar of the river up the valley as far as Rockford, before it descends on the opposite side beneath the trees all the way back to Lynmouth.
Coombe Woods, Goodleigh
Best for: Wildlife spotting
Terrain: Community woodlands, bluebells
Facilities: Parking
Coombe Woods, which covers about 18 acres, sits within Exmoor National Character Area on steep ground just to the south east of the village of Goodleigh in North Devon.
The woodlands that you see today are the result of a fantastic community project begun in 1998 that involved local people who helped develop and maintain it. Coombe Woods provides wildlife with a mosaic of habitats – from broadleaf woodland to scrub and open grassland.
In the past these woodlands were well known as a romantic spot where courting couples could stroll together in peace. Today, after the success of the regeneration project, the area is home to red deer and a wide range of plants and flowers.
A number of permissive paths weave in and around the trees making Coombe a lovely place to simply wander the winding paths and enjoy the beautiful dappled setting.
Beckland Woods, Brownsham
Best for: A mix of country and coast
Terrain: Wooded valley, coastal views
Facilities: Car park
Close to the dramatic cliffs of Hartland Point with its iconic lighthouse is Beckland Woods. These coastal woodlands crowd into a lush valley where bluebells carpet the ground in the spring.
A number of circular walks meander through the trees and follow the path of a gushing stream. At Windbury Hill, which joins the coastal path, walkers can discover the remains of an Iron Age fort and admire the stunning views along the coast.
Parking is available at Brownsham National Trust car park.
Uppacott Wood, Barnstable
Best for: Sprawling views
Terrain: Mature woodland
Facilities: Car parking, dogs must be on leads
This nature reserve not far from the town of Barnstable is cared for by Devon Wildlife Trust. A number of trails through the 15 acres of the Uppacott Wood reserve lead you under mature oaks, ashes, and hazel coppices to discover glades of woodland flowers where woodpeckers and butterflies are common.
The woodland’s level hilltop location also boasts wide views of the surrounding countryside. You don’t have to be an expert on plants and flowers to enjoy all that spaces like this one have to offer.
Eggesford Forest, Chulmleigh
Best for: Woodland picnics
Terrain: Managed forest, veteran fir trees, historic monuments
Facilities: Car park, picnic areas, toilets, walking trails
A managed forest with historic importance, Eggesford Forest is home to the very first trees planted by the newly created Forestry Commission more than 100 years ago.
Since then, the forest has continued to gather mementoes of the past with several commemorative tree avenues and a granite stone unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1956 to mark the millionth acre of Forestry Commission planting.
There are three main areas of forest, including Hilltown and Heywood, where you can discover a motte and bailey castle remnant of a Norman fort that is now a scheduled monument. From there, you can head down the slopes towards the stream to see some of Eggesford's most impressive trees, including a veteran Douglas Fir planted around 1840.
South Devon
South Devon is sprinkled with classic seaside towns where gentle waters are ideal for relaxing in boats and family holidays on the beach, the perfect accompaniment to a tree-lined trek and pub lunch.
Buzzard Woods, Dart Valley
Best for: Simply stunning views
Terrain: Mature woodland
Facilities: Car park, viewpoints
This tranquil woodland in the Dart Valley may be a little off the beaten track but it is well worth exploring. Cared for by the National Trust, Buzzard Woods has been identified as a home to otters, dormice, and some rarer bat species, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for one of these fantastic creatures.
In the spring, the woodland floor becomes a carpet of beautiful bluebells, while autumn welcomes a wash of coppery colours to the canopy. Once part of the famous Knightshayes estate, this woodland is carefully managed to conserve the woodland and its habitats.
There are plenty of walking trails, but it’s worth bearing in mind that the ground can be very uneven in places, with bridges and steep hills. But there are two wonderful viewpoints, which can be found from the car park, that will reward you with stunning views.
Berry Head Woods, Brixham
Best for: Clifftop rambles
Terrain: Clifftop views, oak woodland
Facilities: Car park, café, toilets
Berry Head Nature Reserve certainly has the wow factor, with 200m high cliffs, extraordinary coastal vistas, a Napoleonic fort and the iconic lighthouse, but you might be surprised to learn that it also boasts over 20 acres of woodland within its confines.
Explore the paths of this clifftop woodland, known for its springtime bluebells, and discover a different side to this well-known reserve. And once you have worn yourself out with all that fresh air, the woods are just outside the historic harbour town of Brixham. This is such a rewarding little place to visit, with the replica of The Golden Hind, Sir Francis Drake’s famous ship, adding a touch of history to the harbour, and a fabulous array of fish and chips and quaint tearooms waiting to refuel you after your woodland jaunt.
Plymbridge Woods, Plymouth
Best for: Historical hiking
Terrain: Broadleaf woodland, historic industrial remains
Facilities: Car park
Plymbridge Woods is a wooded valley that is cared for by the National Trust close to the moors of Dartmoor with a rich and varied industrial past. The woods are named after the historic Plymbridge, a Grade II listed bridge over the River Plym. A bridge has existed at this location from as early as 1238 with the current bridge having been built in the 18th century.
There are a few marked trails within the valley – The River Roam, an easy riverside track and the longer Historic Hike, which takes in some of the area’s industrial past. Drake's Trail also passes through the woods providing an important cycling and walking link to Plymouth.
There are guided walks through the woods throughout the year focusing on the birdlife, the bat population, and the historic remains. Amazingly, peregrine falcons have been nesting in Cann Quarry in the heart of the woods since the 1960s, and, since 2002, the National Trust has maintained a watchpoint on Cann Viaduct from which it is usually possible to see the nest site.
Hembury & Holne Woods, Newton Abbot
Best for: A variety of trails
Terrain: Ancient woodland, riverside walks
Facilities: Car park
Hembury and Holne Woods, belonging to the National Trust, have a huge variety of trails and paths for you to explore. From a gentle stroll to something a bit more invigorating, there is always something to discover during your visit - not to mention the abundance of wildlife.
A network of paths criss-crosses these twin woodlands, taking in riverside routes, mining remains, and the ruins of Hembury Castle. With plenty of routes to choose from, this is a place that you can come to again and again to take a gentle walk along the river or stride uphill to the fort.
These ancient western oak woodlands are a great place to leave behind the pressures of everyday life, with the river's many rapids and cascades and the birdlife making an ever-present symphony of sound.
Loddiswell Woods, Kingsbridge
Best for: Tranquil strolls
Terrain: Broadleaf, ancient woodland, riverside
Facilities: Car parking, toilets, café
Just outside the historic little village of Loddiswell is an area of woodland known collectively as Loddiswell Woods but encompassing a number of smaller groves that line a peaceful stretch of the River Avon.
From the little village car park it is possible to do a roughly 3-mile circular walk taking in the unspoilt countryside and peaceful riverside. There are five distinct ancient and semi-natural woodlands here and they occupy a special place in the heart of the Woodland Trust that cares for them, as they are the earliest acquisitions made by Kenneth Watkins, founder of the Trust, in 1972.
In the middle of the 20th century, the woods had been used widely for shooting and there were fears that they would be felled and converted to conifer plantations, but the Woodland Trust stepped in to preserve it for us to enjoy!
Bellever Forest, Dartmoor National Park
Best for: Every kind of adventurer
Terrain: Managed woodland, hiking, cycling and easy access trails
Facilities: Car park, toilets, mobility scooters, picnic area.
Bellever Forest is an unmissable stop on your visit to Dartmoor National Park. Explore one of several waymarked walking trails, discover incredible archaeology like the Knap Bronze Age stone circle, take in the breathtaking views from Bellever Tor, or enjoy a relaxing picnic on the riverbank surrounded by native Dartmoor ponies.
The history of Dartmoor Forest reaches back to before the last ice age and although the forest is now a popular leisure destination producing sustainably grown timber for British industries, it is also home to a fantastic variety of wildlife, including hobby, goshawk, buzzard, nightjars, trout, salmon, and even otters.
Bellever features accessible paths and you can also hire all-terrain mobility scooters at the visitors centre!
Haldon Forest Park, Kennford
Best for: Wheel-friendly routes
Terrain: Managed conifer forest, wide range of trails
Facilities: Parking, café, toilets, play area, cycle hire, mobility scooter hire
Just a short drive from the city of Exeter, Haldon Forest is one of the largest wooded areas in the whole of the South West, covering an incredible 3,500 acres.
Stradling the Haldon Hills, there are four marked trails to choose from, including one that is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs (there are also all-terrain scooters for hire).
So, whether you are looking for exciting mountain biking trails or gentle footpaths accessible to all the family, Haldon, which is managed by Forestry England, has so much to offer! For those feeling particularly adventurous, there are even orienteering courses and treetop ropes.
And after all that exercise you can relax in the picnic area or pop into the café for refreshments.
Cann Woods, Plymouth
Best for: Family fun
Terrain: Mixed broadleaf and conifer woodland
Facilities: Car park, picnic area, segway hire
Covering an area of 230 hectares, Cann Wood is an important green space just outside the city of Plymouth and a great place to explore mixed forest with areas of broadleaved woodland mingling with newly planted conifer.
As well as walking trails, these woodlands are also open to horse riders and cyclists but if you really fancy exploring in a unique way, you can enjoy a segway tour. A guide will show you the best of Cann's tracks and trails as you glide effortlessly on your personal transporter! Trails from Cann Woods also link up with the longer Drakes Trail and with Plymbridge Woods routes, so you have an endless supply of paths to follow during your visit.
Excited to explore Devon’s dappled woodlands? Browse our beautiful holiday cottages and start planning your next adventure in this gorgeous stretch of the South West.
