Walking the East Devon Way

Walking the East Devon Way

Living in and having the opportunity to walk in Devon is a real privilege. If you have visited this website before or follow my social media you will know that walking is a real passion of mine, from short rambles to day long hikes.  As a local I am well placed to have access to many of the best walking trails in Devon.   The East Devon Way was a little challenge I have finally completed with a friend, although not one we rushed!

Where is the East Devon Way?

The East Devon Way is a real gem.  This beautiful way marked trail runs from Lyme Regis (on the very edge of Dorset) to Exmouth,  taking footpaths inland crossing stunning scenery, along rivers, through woodland and across the Pebblebed Heaths. For more detailed maps and the route in suggested  linear sections there is a dedicated East Devon Way website. 

How Long is the East Devon Way?

It’s one of the UKs so called Long Distance Paths or through trails, although at 40 miles this is one of the shorter routes. Many have been  created and marked by the Ramblers Association by linking existing footpaths.  Longer routes such as the Pennine Ways or South Downs Ways are known as National Trails.

We had no real time plan or structure to walk the route. We have in fact have completed it in different directions, and included circular walks taking in sections of the East Devon Way so we could return to the car.

Enjoy what ever sections you can, or if you stumble across the pretty foxglove markers on a walk you will know where they lead.  I have added in links where I have written about some sections I’ve walked before so there are lots of ideas for walks in East Devon.

Lyme Regis to Colyton Walk  (9 Miles)

The East Devon border falls just short of Lyme Regis but this make it a great place to start or finish the walk. It’s a popular coastal town with a gorgeous seafront. The route follows the pretty River Lim upstream into Uplyme before heading West and passes under the impressive Cannington Viaduct.  Then it heads uphill and down dale then uphill again, before it skirts round  the hill known as Musbury Castle, the site of a Saxon hillfort. If you have the time and energy divert up to the very top of the ridge for great views across the Axe Valley in all directions.

Down into Musbury the path goes through the village past the Church. From here on it’s nice and flat in the valley and follows a pretty route alongside the River Axe. Hop across the Seaton Tramway line taking a gentle walk into Colyton for well deserved refreshment.

Overall this is a really beautiful walk full of contrast. It’s quite a challenging section going from river level, up over 2 hills and back down to sea level.  If you can choose your direction I think Colyton to Lyme Regis is the best option, although Musbury Castle is a steep climb.

Coltyon to Farway Walk  (6 miles)

This pleasant routes follows the river along from Colyton and in the summer it feels exactly as you would describe England’s green and pleasant land to a foreigner.

A scenic walk, cows grazing, lush grass and hopefully the sunshine on your back! The route then heads gradually up hill to the pretty villages of Northleigh and on to Farway.

Farway to Sidbury Walk (6.5 miles)

More pretty Devon countryside but with a bit a fair bit of up and down on this section. We actually walked from Sidbury to Colyton in one go which was a great day hike, stopping for lunch in the Churchyard at Farway enjoying the view. The route passes through Knapp Copse Nature Reserve which is a real hidden gem worth exploring in it’s own right.  For us this was a decent walk and I have to admit I was ready to stop and rest my legs once we reached Colyton.

Sidbury to Newton Poppleford Walk (5.5 miles)

I really enjoyed this section that climbs steadily up from Sidbury up to Fire Beacon Hill.  We parked in the public car park in Sidbury then it’s 200 metres along the road to find the trail.  The footpath out of Sidbury village was a bit hard to find, it’s on a corner with a small green finger sign ‘public footpath to White Cross’, (look out for the pink foxglove symbols).

The views from Fire Beacon Hill are fantastic and then it drops down the valley into Harpford Woods and across the river to Newton Poppleford.

The suggested route continues to Aylesbeare Common making it 7.5 miles, which is great if you can arrange your transport.  We created our own circular route back to Sidbury. 

Newton Poppleford to Hawkerland circular walk

This is where we again deviated from the suggested linear route and created a circular walk.  This was another great day in an area that I hadn’t walked before but really enjoyed. We parked in the free public car park in Newton Poppleford (behind the Church off School Lane) and helpfully there was a footpath sign in the corner of the carpark with a pink arrow “Link to EDW”. It lead us across the main road, through the village and back onto the right track.

I do 100% recommend using the Ordnance Survey maps App for these walks as you can see exactly where the footpaths are, plan your route and see if you’ve gone wrong. We had a few doubtful moments where the finger posts were broken or missing.

Following the East Devon Way this walk took us up gently up hill out of Newton Poppleford past apple orchards onto Harpford Hill,  across healthland then onto an area called Hawkerland.  Keep a close eye out for the signs as they were a bit limited on this whole section.

See below for an affiliate link for Ordnance Survey.

On Hawkerland you will notice pebbles underfoot and if you are interested in geology will realised that you were once at sea! This whole area is known as the Pebblebed Heaths and is a conservation area comprising of the differently named commons. There is over 800 hectares of publicly accessible land suitable for walkers, runners and cyclists. There are fabulous views here out towards the Jurassic Coast on a clear day.

For our circular route we turned off the East Devon Way we looped back towards Harpford Hill, crossing the main road near Hillside House and through a small area of deciduous woodland that makes up part of Aylesbury Common Nature Reserve. Skirting round the edge of Harpford Common we picked up Back Lane returning into Newton Poppleford again.

Woodbury Common to Exmouth Walk

For this last section we parked at the popular Joney’s Cross carpark just off the A3052 and for about a mile covered the same route as we had walk previously across the Pebblebed Heaths.  It’s downhill across Hawkerland, a short bit of lane and then onto the wonderful Woodbury Common. A popular heathland area this site is also used by the Royal Marines for training exercises so don’t be alarmed to see them marching or hiding in the bushes! There is a firing range too so look out for the flags.

The trail takes you to Woodbury Castle, another Iron Age hill fort with very a clear embankment around it. These days the beech trees have taken over making it a fun place to visit in it’s own right, we passed a rope swing over the moat!

There’s more heathland and countryside as the route makes it’s final gradual descent towards it’s end at the River Exe. Take a detour to the unique National Trust property A La Ronde on the edge of Exmouth, skim Lymstone and end the route along the edge of the Exe Estuary.

FAQs about the East Devon Way

Is there Accommodation on the East Devon Away Route?

If you wanted to walk the route in just a few days there are some places to stay. Search for bed and breakfast in Colyton, Farway,  Sidbury and Newton Poppleford.  There are no actual campsites on the main route except for Hook Farm in Uplyme.

Can You Cycle the East Devon Way

The East Devon Way goes along footpaths and there are many styles along the route. This means that it is not suitable for cyclists, mountain bikes or push chairs. If you wanted to go mountain biking in the area then Woodbury Common, Hawkerland and Mutters Moor has many fantastic opportunities.

Is there Public Transport along the East Devon Way

Yes,  but the services are not very frequent so plan ahead carefully. I always suggest taking the bus in the morning to walk back to your car with these one direction walks. Otherwise hopefully you have a helpful person who will drop you off and pick you up.

Public buses are run by Stagecoach

The 157 bus runs from Exmouth via Newton Poppleford to Sidmouth.
Service 9 runs from Exeter – Sidmouth -Honiton and the 9A Exeter – Sidmouth – Seaton.
Buses between Seaton and Colyton are the 20, 885 and X30.

Completing the East Devon Way

If you are a purist you might like to tick off the 40 mile whole route in neat sections or find places to stay. However I really think it’s one of those walks that you just use as a guide like we did. If you can just walk 2 miles or only have a couple of hours then great, find a part of the route that works for you and it’s easy to make family friendly walks.  Longer walks and creating circular routes is also a good solution for fitter hikers.

However you experience the East Devon Way just get out and see it – you will not regret the beautiful scenery and peaceful paths.

So what next? I’ve been tempted across the border into Dorset and have started the Jubilee Way. More on that to follow. Happy walking everyone.

More hiking trails in East Devon

Please spend some time in the Walks category of this website to search for many more great walks in Devon and Dorset as well as various sections of the South West Coast Path.