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Feb 4, 2025 | Activities, Area Guides, Beaches, Dogs, News, Walks

Walks around Totnes

Devon is a wonderful destination for walking with miles of footpaths, tracks and trails just waiting to be explored and Totnes is no exception. Get off the beaten track and explore the beautiful Dart Valley Trail and from Totnes to Dartmouth, head north to the majestic Dartmoor National Park with its towering tors and cascading waterfalls or dip down to a secluded cove along the coast path, perfect for a picnic and a swim.

If you’re staying in one of our dog friendly cottages you won’t be far away from a footpath or two and a pub or an excellent cafe for lunch. So if you really want to delve deep into the countryside and explore the rivers and inlets, discover some of the best dog walks around Totnes and step into the heart of south Devon, a walking holiday in Totnes certainly delivers. 

We recommend the OS Explorer map OL20 (South Devon) which then gives you access to the OS app with a mobile download. Just for starters, we’ve selected a few of our favourite Totnes walks and point out some lunchtime stopovers.

Totnes River Walk

  • 6.75 miles – 10.75 km – Moderate
  • Starting on the riverside near the Tourist Information Centre in the Market Square, TQ9 5SF

This lovely circular walk follows the River Dart at Totnes and explores the surrounding countryside. Following the Franklin Totnes Trail (a 6.75 miles walk which circumnavigates the town) and the Dart Valley Trail footpaths before heading along Riverside Walk and on to the Longmarsh Nature Area which is home to an abundance of wildlife and birds. Discover Follaton Arboretum, a tranquil woodland home to native and exotic trees before ascending some 500 feet for fabulous views over the surrounding countryside. 

Full route and elevation here

Dart Valley Trail

  • 17 miles – 27.5 km. Moderate
  • Totnes – Ashprington – Cornworthy – Dittisham – Dartmouth Harbour
  • Starting at the Steamer Quay car park, TQ9 5AL

One of our favourite Totnes walks is the stunning Dart Valley Trail from Totnes to Dartmouth. From its source in the heart of Dartmoor, the River Dart flows through some of the prettiest villages in the South Hams, but we’re going to begin the walk in the ancient market town of Totnes. Park the car in the Steamer Quay car park and walk along the river towards the bridge which is the starting point for the trail. Walk along the Plains and as you leave Totnes behind relax and enjoy the tranquillity of the reed beds on the River Dart.

The route is dotted with some fabulous waterside cafes and pubs; stop for coffee at The Maltsters Arms in the riverside village of Tuckenhay and relax over lunch at the Ferry Boat Inn in Dittisham, this quintessential family and dog friendly pub is in a fabulous location, right on the quay. On arriving in Dartmouth you can either pick up the ferry for your return or catch the bus to Totnes

Full route and elevation here
Details of the accessible path here
Why not hire bikes and take the Dart Valley cycle route.

Things to do in Torquay

If the 17 miles Dart Valley Trail is a bit of a stretch, why not choose a shorter section of the walk…

Dart Valley Trail – Totnes to Ashprington

  • 6 miles – 10 km. Moderate
  • Starting at Steamer Quay, Totnes, TQ9 5AL

This beautiful section of the walk really showcases the stunning south Devon countryside at its best as it follows the meandering River Dart. Discover mixed woodland, stroll through the beautiful Sharpham Estate and stop for lunch at the Durant Arms in Ashprington before heading back to Totnes.

Full route and elevation here

Dart Valley Trail – Dartmouth to Greenway

  • 9.7 miles (15.6 km) – Challenging
  • Start at Mayors Avenue car park, Dartmouth TQ6 9NF

You’ll also have the opportunity to visit The National Trust’s Greenway House. This stunning Georgian property is the former holiday home of Agatha Christie and comes complete with 1950s interiors and beautiful gardens stretching down to the banks of the River Dart. Wander through the winding paths to the pretty boathouse for a moment of quiet solitude. You can almost feel her stories come to life around you, after all, this is the scene of the crime in Christie’s mystery Dead Man’s Folly! The estate also has an excellent cafe which serves up delicious cheese scones as well as cream teas.

Check out the walk in our blog.
Full details and elevation here

The Lower Dart Valley Trail – Dittisham to Totnes via Greenway

  • 8 miles – 13 km – Moderate. 
  • Starting at Dittisham Ham car park, Dittisham. TQ6 0HS

This section of the Dart Valley Trail follows the River Dart up stream. A delightful walk which can be extended to include Greenway House (mentioned above). This lovely walk takes you through the pretty Devon villages of Cornworthy, Tuckenhay and Ashprington. Look out for the ruins of a gatehouse in Cornworthy which formed part of a 14th century nunnery; the pretty hamlet of Tuckenhay is perfect for a coffee or lunch and finally, the village of Ashprington which lies at the entrance to the Sharpham estate with its traditional stone cottages, pubs and a 15th-century church. 

Full route and elevation here
Ferry from Dartmouth to Dittisham and from Greenway to Dittisham

More great walks near Totnes

Kingsbridge to Bowcombe Creek

  • 2.5 miles – 4 km – moderate.
  • Starts from the Quay car park, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1JD

Kingsbridge is about a 20 minute drive from Totnes and this beautiful walk explores the upper reaches of the Kingsbridge estuary and the idyllic Bowcombe Creek. (This circular walk is on surfaced roads and paths; tracks and green lanes, sometimes rocky and uneven in places and can be slippery when wet). Park at the quay in Kingsbridge (if you’re using public transport there’s a regular bus which runs between Totnes and Kingsbridge). Explore the most northerly creek of the Kingsbridge estuary, dotted with lime kilns. The birdlife is excellent too, look out for the elusive kingfisher and nesting swans. The nearby creeks are home to mallards, shelducks, cormorants, little egrets, teal and wigeon. The narrow bridge with its distinctive four arches is called ‘New Bridge’ and dates back to 1826.

Full route and elevation here.
Escape to our contemporary holiday home with a hot tub on Bowcombe Creek.
Discover more Kingsbridge walks in our blog.

Dartmoor National Park

There is nothing quite like the wilderness of Dartmoor. One of the last great expanses of untamed countryside in the UK, its landscape can only really truly be experienced on foot as you explore the ancient woodlands, bubbling streams, and unruly moors of the National Park. 

We advise taking care when walking on the moor, the weather can change in an instant so we recommend only following designated routes. Please keep your dog under control and on a lead around grazing livestock and ground nesting birds.

Avon Dam & Zeal Tor Tramway

  • 7 miles – 11 km – medium
  • (or an accessible easy 3 miles – 4.8km on tarmac road to the dam and back). 
  • Starting from Avon Dam car park at Shipley Bridge, TQ10 9EL

This lovely walk to Avon Dam follows the River Avon. The river is dramatic, lined with giant granite rocks as it opens up onto moorland with sheep grazing. You can either stop at the Dam and retrace your steps back to the car park or continue onto Huntingdon Cross, Petre’s Cross and the Tramway. This is part of the former Zeal Tor tramway which dates back to 1846 and delivered the clay and peat from Redlake to Shipley Bridge. Look out for the iron nails and stones along the ground.

June 2018 Events Salcombe

Postbridge waterfall walk

  • 6 miles – 9.5 kms – Moderate
  • Start – Carpark Postbridge PL20 6TH

A circular walk which explores the upper River Dart and the Dartmoor National Park around Postbridge with wonderful views over the East Dart Valley. Stroll along the riverside, discover waterfalls and an ancient clapper bridge circa 13th century which was constructed for the pack horses delivering tin. Stroll across the moorland on Broad Down in all its glory to Braddon Lake with its massive boulders and on to the ancient settlement on Chittaford Down. As you head south you’ll reach Bellever Forest with its woodland trails and ancient stone circles. If you’re feeling energetic you can climb Bellever Tor!

Full route and elevation here

And finally…

We can’t talk about walks near Totnes without mentioning the stunning South West Coast Path with its breathtaking views. We recommend picking up the coastal path in Dartmouth and following the many walking trails winding through nature reserves, along coastlines, and around headlands. So read our expert guide to find out what makes the Devonshire coast so appealing and how best to explore it and we reveal our top 5 Devon coastal walks.

Where to stay?

Planning a walking holiday in south Devon? Get in touch with one of our local team who will help you choose the perfect luxury Devon holiday cottage. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway close to the coast or a dog friendly cottage for the family, there’s a property to suit your needs.

 
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