Dog Walks in Devon

Devon is one of the great dog-walking counties of the UK, and the only one in England with two separate coastlines. Between the red cliffs of the Jurassic south and the surf-battered rock of the north, you've got Dartmoor's wild uplands and Exmoor's rolling heather in between — a combination no other English county can match. For a week's holiday with a dog, Devon is genuinely hard to beat.

The range is what makes it special. You can start the day on a granite tor, drive forty minutes and finish on a palm-fringed beach. The valleys in between are lined with ancient hedgerows, clapper bridges and cob-and-thatch villages that feel lifted from another century.

Top Areas for Dog Walks in Devon

Exeter (3 walks) is the practical central base — from the cathedral city you can reach Haytor and Hound Tor on Dartmoor, the ancient oaks of Wistman's Wood and the dramatic Lydford Gorge within an hour's drive. Dartmouth (2) sits on the south coast with its handsome harbour and the classic walk to Kingswear Castle, and adds Becky Falls as a shaded woodland option. Lynton (1) anchors the Exmoor coastal north with its cliff railway and Valley of Rocks.

What to Expect

Dartmoor is open access land with free-roaming ponies, sheep and cattle — leads are essential whenever livestock is in sight, and dogs that chase animals can be shot legally by farmers. The moor is also notorious for mist and sudden weather, and the granite tors are genuinely rocky scrambles in places. The South West Coast Path is well-maintained but cliff-edge in many sections. Tides on the north coast can be dangerous, so check before heading onto any beach.

Planning Your Trip

Devon is one of the most dog-friendly Devon counties in the country — it's genuinely difficult to find a pub, tearoom or holiday cottage that doesn't welcome dogs. Exeter, Dartmouth, Totnes and Ilfracombe all have strong high-street clusters of dog-welcoming cafes, and there are literally hundreds of dog-friendly cottages across the county. Rail links are good down the south coast, making parts of the coast path accessible car-free. Pack a tick remover, plenty of towels and a willingness to eat a cream tea outside with your dog under the table — it's the Devon way.