Walking

Wherever you go in the South West England, you’ll find trails and paths to suit every walker in every season whether on the coast, across moors or in forests.

There are 3 National Trails – the Cotswold Way, the Ridgeway and the South West Coast Path which at 630 miles runs from Studland in Dorset around Lands End in Cornwall to Minehead in Somerset.

Long distance paths include the Two Moors Way and the Tarka Trail in Devon, and in Wiltshire, the White Horse Trail. Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks have networks of paths running across them or if you prefer walking in woodland, try the Forest of Dean or the New Forest or walk along the riverbanks in the Wye Valley.

Other walking highlights include the Quantock Hills, the Mendips Hills and the Blackdown Hills – all Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Most of the walks in the South West are waymarked, however it is important that you take a map with you. The Ordnance Survey Explorer series covers the whole of the region and are available to buy in bookshops, tourist information centres, outdoor shops etc.

The choice of accommodation for walkers is wide – many offer specific facilities including drying rooms, packed lunches and helping with routes. Look out for the Walkers Welcome symbol when making your choice.

Click here to download the PDF (3.25MB) of "25 Scenic Walks Around the South West" or for further information on where to walk in the South West and a list of walking operators see below.