Best Walking Routes Around Exeter and Devon for Socialising

Walking Is One of the Best Things You Can Do for a Friendship

There's something about walking side by side that changes how people talk. You're not facing each other across a table, which takes the pressure off. Your eyes are on the path, the trees, the water. Conversation flows differently — it's less like an interview and more like thinking out loud together. Silences feel comfortable rather than awkward. And the rhythm of walking seems to unlock the kind of honest, unhurried conversation that's harder to find when you're sitting in a busy restaurant or trying to shout over music.

This isn't just anecdotal. A 2025 study published in Counselling and Psychotherapy Research found that walk-and-talk therapy participants reported reductions in psychological distress and increases in wellbeing. They described feeling more energised, more able to breathe deeply, and — crucially — more comfortable sharing personal thoughts and feelings than they did in traditional indoor settings. Separate research has shown that walking in nature can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and lessen negative rumination. The steady, grounding rhythm of putting one foot in front of the other helps regulate the nervous system.

All of which is a slightly academic way of saying: if you want to have a really good catch-up with a friend, go for a walk.

Exeter and the surrounding Devon countryside offer some of the best walking in England — from flat, accessible canal paths you can do in trainers to wilder Dartmoor adventures that'll leave you windswept and ready for a pint. We've picked the routes that are best for socialising: wide enough to walk two abreast, interesting enough to keep things moving, and — critically — with a decent pub or cafe at the end.

Easy Town Walks

These are the routes you can do on a whim. No special gear, no driving, no planning. Just text a friend and go.

Exeter Quay to Double Locks

Distance: 1.5 miles each way (3 miles return) | Difficulty: Easy, flat, fully surfaced | Time: About 30 minutes each way | Best for: Everyone — couples, groups, dogs, pushchairs

This is the walk that every Exeter resident should have in their regular rotation. Starting from the historic quayside, you follow the towpath along the Exeter Ship Canal — flat, paved, and suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs, and anyone in trainers. The path runs alongside the water with views across the flood plain meadows, and you'll likely spot herons, cormorants, and the occasional kingfisher.

After about thirty minutes, you arrive at the Double Locks — a pub that's been here since 1701, with the biggest beer garden in Exeter right on the canal bank. Order a local ale, sit by the water, and wonder why you don't do this more often.

The towpath is also a cycle route, so keep an eye out for enthusiastic cyclists, but it's wide enough for everyone. You can extend the walk onwards toward the Turf Hotel if you're feeling ambitious, or simply retrace your steps back to the quay.

Riverside Valley Park Circuit

Distance: 2-3 miles (depending on route) | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 1-1.5 hours | Best for: Couples, small groups, dog walkers, nature lovers

Riverside Valley Park is one of six Exeter Valley Parks managed by Devon Wildlife Trust, covering 40 hectares of flood plain meadows, riverside paths, and mature trees between Clapperbrook Lane and Bridge Road. The circuit follows the River Exe on one side and cuts through peaceful parkland on the other, with views of Trews Weir and the allotments.

It feels surprisingly rural for something so close to the city centre. Look out for woodpeckers, swallows, and the occasional otter if you're lucky and quiet. The paths are a mix of tarmac and gravel — fine for trainers in dry weather, but wellies are wise after rain.

You can finish at the quayside where there are plenty of options for a coffee or a bite — the quay has some of Exeter's best restaurants and pubs right on the water.

Exeter Canal to Countess Wear and Back

Distance: 3 miles circular | Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat | Time: 1-1.5 hours | Best for: Groups, families, dogs

This circular route follows the canal towpath south from the quay to Countess Wear Bridge, crosses the river, and returns along the eastern bank through Northbrook Park and Belle Isle Park before reaching the pedestrian Butts Ferry crossing back to the quay. It gives you both sides of the river, some lovely park sections, and the satisfaction of a proper loop rather than a there-and-back.

The Butts Ferry is a charming hand-hauled crossing that's been operating for centuries — a tiny detail that makes the walk feel distinctly Exeter.

Slightly Further Afield

These routes need a short drive or bus ride to reach, but they're worth the effort. Each one pairs stunning Devon scenery with a proper reward at the end.

Exe Estuary Trail: Exeter to Topsham

Distance: 4 miles each way | Difficulty: Easy, mainly flat | Time: 1.5-2 hours each way | Best for: Groups, couples, cyclists, birdwatchers

The Exe Estuary Trail is a 26-mile network linking Exeter, Topsham, Exmouth, and Dawlish, forming part of National Cycle Network Route 2. You don't need to do the whole thing — the section from Exeter to Topsham is a perfect social walk that follows the estuary with wide views across the water.

The path is predominantly off-road, flat, and well-maintained. The estuary is internationally important for wintering waders and wildfowl, so bring binoculars if you're that way inclined. You'll pass through pretty waterside scenery and arrive in Topsham, a charming riverside village with excellent pubs and restaurants.

Pub stop: The Lighter Inn on Topsham Quay has lovely estuary views and good food. The Lord Nelson at the top of the high street is a 200-year-old pub with bags of character. Or if you're feeling adventurous, take the ferry from Topsham across to the Turf Hotel — a legendary pub accessible only on foot, by bike, or by boat.

Getting back: You can walk back the same way, catch the train from Topsham station (services are regular), or cycle if you've hired bikes.

Haldon Forest

Distance: 1.5 miles to 5+ miles (multiple trails) | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Time: 1-3 hours | Best for: Groups, families, dog walkers

Just fifteen minutes' drive from Exeter off the A38, Haldon Forest Park covers 3,500 acres of woodland on the Haldon ridge. There are several waymarked trails to choose from: the Discovery Trail is a fully surfaced 2.5km loop that's accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, while the Raptor Trail and Butterfly Trail offer longer, more immersive forest walks.

The views from the ridge over the surrounding countryside are genuinely beautiful, and the forest feels like a proper escape from the city. There's a cafe on site for post-walk coffee and cake, Go Ape for anyone feeling adventurous, and plenty of space for dogs to stretch their legs.

Parking: On site, paid via machine or RingGo app. About four pounds for two hours, six for four hours, eight for a full day.

Dawlish to Teignmouth Coastal Walk

Distance: 5 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 2-2.5 hours | Best for: Couples, small groups (not ideal for dogs or young children due to sea wall sections)

This stretch of the South West Coast Path follows the famous sea wall alongside one of Britain's most photographed railway lines. You'll walk with the sea on one side and trains passing remarkably close on the other — it's dramatic, slightly surreal, and utterly Devon.

Dawlish itself is charming — look for the famous black swans on the brook, brought over from New Zealand in 1906. The walk along the sea wall to Teignmouth takes you past red sandstone cliffs and through Eastcliff Park, with views that make you want to take up watercolour painting.

Pub stop: There are plenty of options in both Dawlish and Teignmouth. Get the train back from Teignmouth to Exeter (about 25 minutes) and you've had a full afternoon out without needing a car.

Haytor to Hound Tor, Dartmoor

Distance: 4.5-7 miles (various routes) | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 2-3.5 hours | Best for: Groups of friends, experienced walkers, dogs (on leads near livestock)

This is the classic Dartmoor walk, and it's classic for a reason. Starting from the car park at Haytor, you climb to the top of the granite tor for panoramic views across the moor, then follow trails across open heathland to Hound Tor — with its medieval abandoned village and slightly eerie atmosphere. The landscape is wild, beautiful, and completely different from anything you'll find in the city.

Several circular routes are available, ranging from a shorter 4.5-mile loop to a fuller 7-mile circuit that takes in quarry ruins and additional tors. The terrain is uneven in places — proper walking boots are essential — but the paths are well-trodden and easy to follow.

Pub stop: The Rock Inn at Haytor Vale is a proper Dartmoor pub with real ales, good food, and a fire that you'll appreciate after a winter walk. It's about a ten-minute walk from the Haytor car park.

Wistman's Wood, Dartmoor

Distance: 2.5 miles return (short route) or 4.7 miles circular | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Time: 1-2.5 hours | Best for: Couples, small groups, anyone who loves nature

If you want to show someone something genuinely magical, take them to Wistman's Wood. This ancient oakwood sits in the West Dart Valley near Two Bridges, and walking toward it through the open moorland feels like stepping into a different century. The trees are stunted, twisted, and covered in moss and lichen — it looks like something from a fairy tale or a film set.

The short return walk from Two Bridges car park is about 2.5 miles on a well-maintained gravel path for most of the way, though the final section is rougher and can be muddy. The longer circular route adds Longaford Tor with its sweeping moorland views.

Important note: Wistman's Wood is under considerable visitor pressure, and Natural England asks visitors to follow the paths around the woodland rather than entering it. Please respect this — it's an irreplaceable habitat.

Pub stop: The Two Bridges Hotel is right by the car park and serves teas, coffees, and meals. It's a comfortable spot to warm up after a moorland walk.

The Exeter Green Circle: A Hidden Gem

Distance: 12 miles (full circuit) or five shorter sections | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Time: Full day for the complete circuit, or 1-2 hours per section | Best for: Urban explorers, groups wanting variety, people who like to plan serial outings

The Exeter Green Circle is one of Exeter's best-kept walking secrets. This 12-mile circular route weaves around the city boundary, connecting five valley parks through a mix of green countryside, quiet leafy suburbs, and hidden heritage spots that most residents have never discovered.

The route is divided into five sections, each of which works as a standalone walk:

• The Alphin Brook Walk (about 3 miles) follows the valley of the Alphin Brook through rich agricultural land and the edges of Alphington.
• The Hoopern Valley Walk (just over 2 miles) winds close to the city wall and through St David's, revealing the dry valley under the Iron Bridge.
• The Redhills Walk (about 2.5 miles) explores green areas and viewpoints on the western fringes of Exeter, with the Millers Crossing bridge over the Exe as a highlight.
• The Mincinglake Walk passes through a former landfill site transformed into an attractive countryside park with butterfly-rich meadows and views down the Exe Estuary to the sea.
• The Ludwell Valley Walk takes in one of Exeter's most wildlife-rich parks.

The genius of the Green Circle for social walking is that it gives you five different outings with five different characters, all within the city. You could make it a project — one section per week with the same group of friends, finishing the full circle over a month. Each section has convenient public transport links, so you can walk a section and get the bus home.

The route is well-marked with a green and white circle symbol. Maps are available from Exeter City Council's walking pages, and the Go Jauntly app has the full route available for download.

Seasonal Walking in Devon

Devon's walks change character dramatically through the year, and timing your outings to match the seasons makes them even more rewarding.

Spring (March–May): The Exe Valley and Dartmoor fringes are spectacular when the bluebells are out — usually late April to mid-May. Wistman's Wood is at its most magical when the ancient oaks are in fresh leaf. The Devon countryside bloom is reason alone to get outside during these months.

Summer (June–August): Early mornings and evenings are the sweet spots to avoid heat and crowds. The coastal walks — Dawlish to Teignmouth, and further afield to Beer and Branscombe — are at their absolute best. Combine a walk with a swim at one of Devon's wild swimming spots for the ultimate summer day out.

Autumn (September–November): Dartmoor is breathtaking in autumn colour. The Haytor to Hound Tor route with golden bracken covering the hillsides is genuinely stunning. The shorter days mean you can combine an afternoon walk with an early supper at a Dartmoor pub.

Winter (December–February): Wrap up and lean into it. The canal and estuary walks are atmospheric in winter light, and Haldon Forest is beautiful in frost. The key is having a warm pub waiting at the end — the Double Locks, the Rock Inn at Haytor Vale, or the Lighter Inn in Topsham. For those who find the darker months challenging, a regular winter walk with friends is one of the most effective antidotes.

Why Walking Together Matters

There's a reason building a support network is about more than just having people to go out with on a Saturday night. The friendships that sustain us are the ones where we're honest, vulnerable, and present — and walking creates the conditions for exactly that. The side-by-side positioning, the shared physical experience, the natural pauses and silences: all of it makes it easier to say the things that matter.

Walking is also wonderfully democratic. It costs nothing. It doesn't require fitness or equipment (though decent shoes help for the moorland routes). It works for any age, and it works whether you know someone well or are still turning an acquaintance into a real friend. Some of the best social clubs in Exeter are walking groups — check our guide to Exeter's social clubs for options.

Devon has given us an extraordinary landscape to walk through — estuaries, ancient forests, wild moorland, dramatic coastline, all within easy reach of Exeter. Use it. Text a friend, pick a route, and go. The conversation will take care of itself.

For more outdoor activities to enjoy with friends, explore our guides to running clubs and parkruns in Exeter, cycling routes and bike cafes, and kayaking and canoeing on Devon's rivers. For detailed walking route maps and GPX downloads, the South West Coast Path Association and Ordnance Survey are invaluable resources. And if you fancy combining a walk with something more indulgent, our Devon spa day guide might be just the thing.