Walking & hiking in Torquay
One of the great pleasures when it comes to staying in Torquay is how quickly the landscape changes from walking beside the harbour to following a wooded path down to the beach or taking in clifftop views. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the area; with a variety of walking routes to choose from including seafront strolls to more challenging full-day sections of the South West Coast Path. Torquay offers plenty of opportunities to slow down, breathe in the sea air and see South Devon on foot.
Daddyhole Plain
A classic Torquay walk between Meadfoot and the so-called ‘London Bridge’ rock arch, this 1.9-mile loop starts and ends at the Daddyhole Plain car park (TQ1 2LJ), taking in a combination of woodland and open coast paths for beautiful views across Tor Bay. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Meadfoot Beach, and spot the famous rock arch along the way.
Photo credit: Torbay Council
Hopes Nose
Just shy of four miles long, the Hope’s Nose walk is a circular route from Kents Cavern car park offering you a chance to spot wildlife and take full advantage of those dramatic coastal views. Hope’s Nose is a dramatic headland separating Tor Bay from Babbacombe Bay and forged of limestone . It’s designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and part of the UNESCO English Riviera Geopark, featuring fossils and unique geology. It is peppered with a combination of regular paths as well as steep stony areas to contend with. If you can cope, however, the vistas are worth it.
Photo credit: Easymalcs Wanderings
Babbacombe Downs to Oddicombe Beach
A short walk of around two miles, strolling from Babbacombe Downs to Oddicombe Beach is worth it for the views of the dramatic red sandstone cliffs alone. Taking you down a clifftop promenade to the shore, it offers vistas across Lyme Bay and Tor Bay. At the bottom you will find Oddicombe Beach, with its colourful beach huts and cafe. You can extend the walk by heading towards Babbacombe Beach as well, and choose to return on foot or using the historic Babbacombe Cliff Railway.
Photo credit: Easymalcs Wanderings
Cockington Country Park
If you fancy giving the coast a break, head inland to Cockington Country Park. This pretty country park surrounds the historic village of Cockington and offers a very different walking experience from the exposed coastal paths, with five distinct walking trails through 450 acres. One of the most popular loops is a 2.2 mile circular combining the park and Manscombe Woods.
Maidencombe Circular
Spanning 3.3 miles from Watcombe Beach car park, the Maidencombe Circular takes you away from the busier parts of the English Riviera, combining coast and countryside. A particularly pretty section of the South West Coast Path, it features wooded valleys, cliffs and open countryside, and offers fairly moderate walking conditions while taking in the wilder side of the landscape.
Agatha Christie Mile
Agatha Christie’s life and connections with Torquay are woven into the fabric of the area, and this gentle walk is a lovely way to explore the world she knew so well. The Queen of Crime was born in Torquay in 1890, and many of her stories have been inspired by South Devon landmarks. She also famously had her holiday home at Greenway, on the banks of the River Dart.
Hidden Torquay
Hidden Torquay is a circular walk from Torquay railway station that reveals a quieter and surprisingly rural side of the town, spanning 5.5 miles in total. An urban coast path walk, it delivers splendid views over the bay as you travel around town and back along the harbour. It’s an excellent way to get your bearings!
Brixham to Babbacombe
For those seeking a longer walk, the Brixham to Babbacombe route stretches across 13.2 miles for a bracing day out. Heading along the South West Coast Path, take your sandwiches and pass by Berry Head, as well as woodland and beaches, before continuing through Paignton and along the Torquay seafront. Beyond Torquay, the scenery becomes increasingly rural and rugged before reaching Babbacombe Downs. If that sounds appealing but you want to take a shorter route, there are plenty of sections to choose from, and you can use public transport to get back to your starting point.
Where to stay in Torquay
Torquay offers a dynamic part of South Devon for a holiday, combining lots of local attractions, seasonal events, and a combination of entertainment in the buzzing town alongside beach days and coastal walks. It’s a wonderful place to stay with lots of different holiday cottages in Torquay, whether you’re on a romantic gateway or a family break.
Explore holiday cottages in Torquay
