The best walks in Dartmouth

Dartmouth is a traditional seaside resort in South Devon situated on the banks of the River Dart and is a superb location for those who love a good walk on their holiday. Situated close to an estuary, where the river meets the sea after snaking down from its source on Dartmoor, the River Dart is a focal point for the town where visitors and locals enjoy water sports, sailing, fishing, and swimming. There are some impressive beaches close by and lots of appealing visitor attractions to discover on your holiday to discover Dartmouth's walks and the surrounding area of Devon too, you can read more about Dartmouth in our handy guide. 

There is an array of interesting and beautiful walks around Dartmouth for everyone from keen hikers to junior and senior ramblers. In this guide, we’ve highlighted a handful of great Dartmouth walks, from the easiest to the most challenging. Dartmouth is also known for its places to eat, so you're never short of a place to dine after a long day of wandering.  

To see the very best of Dartmouth and the surrounding coastline and countryside, why not plan a Devon walking holiday by booking a few nights in one of our Dartmouth holiday cottages? Click the button below to explore our collection.

Dartmouth cottages

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• Dartmouth town walk 
• Dartmouth Castle and Compass Cove walk
• Castle to Church of St Petrox walk
• Dartmouth Greenway Round
• Kingswear Daymark Coast Path Circular

Dartmouth town walk

Dartmouth’s town trail is a very mild 1.5 miles long, taking in the historic architecture, eye-catching gardens, famous quayside, and a large choice of cafes and restaurants to stop in. You’ll also discover Royal Avenue Gardens, a small park with colourful flower beds in the spring and summer, and a heritage bandstand. The park is also a superb choice for a picnic. The section of the trail around Dartmouth’s natural deepwater harbour is the best way to admire the town’s colourful buildings.

You will encounter Dartmouth’s oldest building, the Cherub Inn, with its bowed structure and unlevel floors. The Sunday roast there is unmissable. For shops, Foss Street is the town’s beating heart, as well as the Old Market Square and Higher Street. Once you have got to know Dartmouth itself, you will be ready to venture out to discover some of the local coastal and countryside walks nearby. This Dartmouth walk may interest those with an interest in architecture. 

Dartmouth Castle and Compass Cove walk

This wonderful Dartmouth walking trail is just under 4 miles in length. Most wayfarers will be able to manage this route, and it takes an average of 2 hours to complete. The area around the castle and Compass Cove is popular with birdwatchers, hikers and mountain bikers, and it’s easy to see why. 

Beginning at the striking Dartmouth Castle, the ensuing views are photogenic and inspiring. The terrain is varied with lots of places to rest and enjoy a picnic. The castle is over 600 years old and stands at the mouth of the estuary. The best way to reach the castle is by taking a ferry from Bayard’s Cove – look out for seals. The castle is also worth a visit; it’s managed by English Heritage and it even has a café. 

Castle to Church of St Petrox walk

The trailhead for this path is located in the nearby hamlet of Stoke Fleming (in the Redlap Lane aka Little Dartmouth Car Park). This time you are walking to another historic site famous to Dartmouth – the 12^th-century Church of St Petrox. Setting out from the car park, make your way southeast towards the coast, via some rugged terrain until you reach Dartmouth Castle. A short walk from here, you will find the beautiful building, which is the oldest church in the Parish of Dartmouth.

This trail is such a scenic excursion and well-loved for its stunning views out to sea and across the estuary. This is a fantastic adventure for anyone who enjoys beautiful coastal scenery or has an interest in history.

Dartmouth Greenway Round

This trail takes in the lower half of the gorgeous Dart Valley. The Dartmouth Greenway Round is a longish ramble through light woodlands and along the clifftops near the estuary. The terrain covers everything from sealed roads to farm fields, and moderately easy footpaths. There are several stiles to traverse and a handful of very steep ascents. 

At just under 10 miles, the Dartmouth Greenway Round will take up the lion’s share of a day, but it’s worth it if you want to get a thorough feel for the countryside and the quieter stretches of the River Dart, that can be found around the immediate Dartmouth area. 

Kingswear Daymark Coast Path Circular

This Dartmouth walk is one for the lovers of unusual edifices. Catch the ferry over to Kingswear and take this noose-shaped walk out past the curious Daymark, and Brownstone Battery. At 5 miles in length, this trail is a challenge with its procession of uneven paths, long flights of stairs, and hill climbing. This is a great walk to see Dartmouth from a different perspective as you are on the eastern bank of the estuary. 

The Daymark and the ruins of Brownstone Battery make for good photo opportunities and their histories are very inspiring. The battery dates back to the 1940s and was built to protect this part of the coast during WW2. Commissioned in 1864, the Daymark is 25m tall and is now a Grade II-listed building.

Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in Dartmouth

We hope this guide to Dartmouth’s walks has provided some helpful insights and allows you to start planning your holiday. Quite a few of our cottages are located a short drive away from the trailheads of the walks featured, so we can provide you with a relaxing base to return to after days on the green. Book your next walking break today!

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