The Salt Path: Iconic Filming Locations along the South West Coast Path
Follow in the footsteps of Raynor and Moth Winn and explore the beautiful places that featured in The Salt...
by Justine King / Walks
When it comes to scenery, most of us associate South Devon with its unspoilt farmland and varied coastline incorporating sweeping bays, secluded coves and craggy cliffs. Whilst these make perfect coastal and countryside walks, for a whimsical amble, nothing beats a forest or woodland walk.
Fortunately, South Devon’s varied scenery offers plenty of forest and woodland walks to choose from. So, depending on your fitness level and the scenery you’d like to find, there’s an option out there. Plus, there are plenty of strolls where you can bring your four-legged friend along too.
Looking for somewhere specific? Use our quick links below, or read on for our favourite forest and woodland walks in South Devon:
Located just outside of Plymouth, in the Plym Valley, is Plymbridge Woods. A stunning wooded valley that offers a varied habitat from riverside meadows to ancient woodlands, and the wilderness of Dartmoor. Owned by the National Trust, Plymbridge woods is well looked after and provides several walking trails.
Along your walk, you’ll spot a mix of flora and fauna, as well as a variety of bird species from kingfishers and dippers to Peregrine falcons and mandarin ducks. There’s even a viewing platform at Cann Viaduct, where telescopes are set up from March to early summer, and volunteers will help you spot the peregrine falcons.
The trail runs along the River Plym, as well as the old railway, which takes you all the way to Tavistock and beyond. The terrain is mixed between uneven woodland paths and tarmacked trails.
The National Trust’s Plymbridge Woodland Wonder
The National Trust have put together this short circular walk, starting and finishing at the Plymbridge Woods car park, right next to Plym Valley Railway. You can expect to see plenty of fascinating wildlife alongside the babbling River Plym. This route is a very popular dog walk, taking just the right amount of time to let your pooch stretch their legs.
Distance: 1 mile
Time: 30 – 40 mins
Starting point: National Trust Plymbridge Woods Car Park, PL7 4SR
Best time to visit: Autumn for its falling leaves and beautiful colours
Route details
Situated along the River Erme in the village of Ivybridge, Longtimber Woods is a 53-acre site of ancient natural woodlands. The trails take you alongside the River Erme up onto Dartmoor and the Two Moors Way. This woodland walk in South Devon can be accessed from two points along Station Road.
The lower entrance provides a slightly more challenging walk, whereas the entrance near the viaduct is more accessible. The whole walk through Longtimber Woods is relatively easy, although the path can be a little uneven in places.
Your four-legged friends will love splashing in the water and exploring the range of trails on offer. You can make this walk as long or as short as you wish, and it’s the perfect trail all year round.
Longtimber Woods ‘Miles Without Stiles’ Walk
As part of their ‘Miles Without Stiles’ series, Dartmoor National Park have suggested a short, accessible walk around Longtimber woods. This follows the river Erme upstream for 1km, before reaching a peaceful riverside picnic spot, and heading back another 1km to the start.
Distance: 2km/1.3 miles
Time: 30 – 40 mins
Starting point: Top of Station Road, Ivybridge (On-road parking)
Best time to visit: Summer, when you can cool off with a dip in the river Erme.
Route details
Located in Plymouth, Cann Wood is a local nature reserve that offers the perfect place to walk, relax and explore nature. The site provides a valuable habitat for a range of flora and fauna so be on the lookout for birds, deer, and more.
Cann Wood covers an area of around 230 hectares and provides several trails worth exploring. Walk, cycle, or bring a picnic and enjoy stunning woodland views. Dogs are also welcome, but must be kept under control at all times.
There are no waymarked trails for specific routes in Cann Wood, so many people create their own walks. However, there are plenty of trails available for free on the OS Maps website or app, like this one.
Starting point: Cann Wood Car Park, Sparkwell, Plymouth PL7 5ED
Best time to visit: Summer, while the butterflies are at their most active.
About a mile west of Kingsbridge, across roads, fields and paths, West Alvington Woods is a common destination for walkers looking for a pleasant trail from this pretty market town. These woods are fairly small but old and rich in variety with oak, beech, sweet chestnut, hazel and other species.
Whether you’re looking for a gentle stroll or want to add these woods to a longer walk from the surrounding villages, there’s a trail for everyone.
Kingsbridge to West Alvington Woods walk
Starting in Kingsbridge, this relatively easy loop takes you through open parkland and luscious woodland, before returning back to town. It’s the perfect length for a peaceful stroll before a pint or some good food in one of Kingsbridge’s great pubs. If you’ve got a pooch with you, we recommend the Crabshell Inn, which features in our list of the best dog-friendly pubs in South Devon!
Distance: 3.2km/2 miles
Time: 1 hour
Starting point: Quay St car park, Kingsbridge TQ7 1JD
Best time to visit: Any – this woodland doesn’t get too busy in the Summer, and it’s beautiful year-round.
Route details
Part of the National Trust, Holne Woods is an ancient western oak woodland just off the A38 near Buckfastleigh. At the southern edge of Dartmoor, these woods provide stunning views over the national park and the path runs from one end of the woods to the other, along the River Dart.
Whatever time of year you visit, there’s always something to see, whether it’s the trees dripping with lichens and mosses, the wildlife and birds, or the sounds of the river’s many rapids and cascades. This is a truly pleasant and peaceful walk for those looking for a hideaway. Just like many of these woodland walks in South Devon, it’s dog-friendly too.
If you fancy a bite to eat or a relaxed drink after your trundle, the popular Tradesman’s Arms in Scorriton is within walking distance!
There are few detailed walking guides for Holne Woods online, but the National Trust describe the paths as fairly self-explanatory, with several routes available.
Distance: 1 – 5 miles
Time: 20 mins – 2.5 hours
Starting point: National Trust Hembury and Holne Woods Car Park, TQ11 0EL
Best time to visit: Spring or autumn, as parking can become difficult in the summer.
Popular with locals, Andrew’s Wood is a hidden gem within the South Hams National Landscape. From the top of the reserve, you’ll find far-reaching views over the undulating hills and on a really clear day, you may even get a glimpse of the sea.
Andrew’s Wood is a haven for flora and fauna and offers plenty of trails throughout that vary in length. Look out for the four semi-wild Dartmoor ponies that call this reserve their home, and be sure to keep all gates closed so they don’t escape. There are a range of trails to use, with some longer than others – these can be viewed using the Wildlife Trust’s map in the route details below.
Time: From 40 minutes
Starting point: Andrew‘s Wood Car Park, Loddiswell TQ7 4EA
Best time to visit: Summer, when the wildlife is at its most luscious.
Route details
Berry Head Nature Reserve is an internationally acclaimed heritage site and is home to a variety of coastal wildlife, history, restored Napoleonic War fortifications and geological formations. Located in Brixham, Berry Head offers everything from coastal walks to woodland walks.
You may be surprised to know that Berry Head Woods stretches almost 20 acres and has plenty of large footpaths for you to explore along. The terrain is fairly flat, making this an easy walk if you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or you have little ones in tow.
Dogs will love this walk too. The large open field next to the woods will also give your four-legged friends a chance to burn off even more energy before you go back home.
There are a few intertwining footpaths at Berry Head, including the South West Coast Path, allowing you to choose the length of the walk, and whether it focuses more on woodland or clifftops.
Distance: 1 – 2 miles
Time: 20 mins – 1 hour
Starting point: South West Coast Path Parking, Berry Head TQ5 9AP
Best time to visit: Summer, when the coastal views are most glorious
Bellever Forest is located in the expanses of Dartmoor and provides a perfect woodland walk in South Devon. Whether you’re looking for a gentle meander through the forest or fancy something a little more strenuous, Bellever Forest has it all.
Follow the waymarked walking trails or historic bridleway to discover a wealth of fascinating wildlife, including wild Dartmoor Ponies. These beautiful and peaceful walks will take you along the East Dart River or past Bellever Tor – perfect for your four-legged companions.
On a warm day, bring a picnic and take a seat in the designated picnic area. Let your dogs run free with plenty of space to burn off some energy and take a refreshing dip in the river.
Bellever Tor Walk
For a varied woodland walk that isn’t too taxing, we recommend Forestry England’s Bellever Tor trail. This will take you through the forest and up to the stunning views of Bellever Tor, with some ancient hut circles along the way!
Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Starting point: Bellever Car Park, PL20 6TP
Best time to visit: Spring, ideally for a stunning sunrise!
Route Details
Made up of 3,500 acres of Woodland, Haldon Forest is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature. Whether you’re looking for a gentle stroll or a long hiking trail, there’s plenty here for everyone. Haldon Forest isn’t just perfect for walking, it also offers a variety of cycling trails to suit all abilities.
Enjoy expansive views, and tree-top adventures at GoApe, and test your map reading skills with orienteering courses. This expansive woodland walk in South Devon has several easy-going trails. Those with limited mobility can enjoy some woodland adventures with off-road mobility scooters available through the Countryside Mobility Scheme.
Looking to refuel after your walk? The onsite café serves a range of refreshments and light bites for the whole family, with dogs welcome too! They’re also welcome along all of the forest’s trails.
Haldon Forest Butterfly Trail
The longest trail in Haldon Forest Park, this route gives walkers the chance to see over 30 species of butterfly, including some very rare ones! There are also great views of Exeter and some impressive conifer trees along the way.
Distance: 6km/4 miles
Time: 2 hours
Starting point: Haldon Forest Park, Bullers Hill, EX6 7XR
Best time to visit: Summer, while the butterflies are at their most active.
Route details
Avon Valley Woods and Loddiswell Woods make up a sizeable forest in the beautiful Aune Valley. The walking trail runs along the old railway line and parking can be found at Avon Mill Garden Centre in Loddiswell. The woods are great for wildlife lovers and are home to over 30 species of birds, as well as a variety of butterflies and mammals.
The sparkling shallow water on this stretch of the river is hypnotic at times, providing a refreshing place for dogs to cool off on a hot sunny day. Bring a picnic blanket and flask with you, so you can settle down and while away the time. There are plenty of walks through this wood, but why not check out our Loddiswell Woods circular walk as a starting point?
Loddiswell Woods Circular Walk
This popular South Devon woodland walk is known for its peaceful riverside and woodland setting, historical sites and the excellent Avon Mill Café en route.
Distance: 5.6km/3.5 miles
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Starting point: Loddiswell Parish Car Park, TQ7 4QH
Best time to visit: Summer, when the hedgerows are vibrant and full of life
Route details
Each time of year offers different benefits for woodland walking in South Devon. We love spring when the ground is decorated with bluebells, the weather begins to warm up, and everything comes to life! Summer is perfect for thriving wildlife and dry ground underfoot, while autumn offers stunning colours and fascinating fungi.
With so many great pubs in South Devon, none of the area’s woodland walks are far from a quality eatery! We especially recommend the Kingsbridge and West Alvington Woods walk, with access to all of Kingsbridge’s great places to eat. Slightly further north, Holne Woods near Buckfastleigh is perfectly placed near traditional Dartmoor pubs, including Scorriton’s Tradesman’s Arms within walking distance.
Read our blog on Devon pub walks for more inspiration!
South Devon’s varied landscape provides plenty of opportunities to experience rugged coastline alongside lush forests and rolling hills. Berry Head is one of the best coastal viewpoints on offer, with the South West Coast Path incorporating woodland a short walk from the cliffs. The National Trust’s Mill Bay Walk also passes through wooded areas and sandy coves near Salcombe.
There are several types of woodland in South Devon, but broadleaf trees, especially oak, are the most common. As well as ancient broadleaf woodland, South Devon is home to its own temperate rainforest in the Dart Valley, managed by Devon Wildlife Trust.
Bluebells are one of the prettiest and most identifiable species to appear in South Devon’s woodlands, transforming the forest floor into a sea of blue in Spring. There’s also a wide range of birdlife, especially along river routes, and some impressive rare butterflies to be seen in the summer. If you’re lucky, you could even spot some of South Devon’s woodland mammals, like otters, dormice and greater horseshoe bats.
If you are looking for additional walks in South Devon, check out our other blogs listed below:
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by Justine King / Walks
I’m Justine, a Freelance Travel Writer with over 4 years’ experience writing about UK travel. I’ve lived in the South West f...
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