This circular route can be described as steep but sweet. Indeed, it's well worth a brief huff and puff for brilliant views of Morte Point and Woolacombe, along with an abundance of coastal flora and fauna. The lush coastal grasslands are especially rich for smaller birds, mammals and reptiles.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 3 miles

Start: Marine Drive car park hut, grid ref SS458433

.1.
From the beginning of Marine Drive car park, walk up the grassy bank and through a field gate and follow the footpath up hill, signed by a finger post saying Public Footpath. Continue up the hill as the path winds its way around Potters Hill.

.2.
Bear left at the first waymark you reach. When you reach the second waymark, head straight on, continuing on up to Woolacombe Down.

.3.
Go through the bridlegate and follow the track up, passing a bench with fantastic views over to Baggy Point and Hartland.

.4.
Continue along this track until you reach another field gate. Go through the gate and head down hill.

.5.
Take the footpath to the right, waymarked to Marine Drive. When you reach Marine Drive go left for 20 metres then take the footpath down into the dunes on your right.

.6.
When you reach the dunes follow the South West Coast Path signs to the right. Where the path forks, take the right hand fork which will take you through the dunes and back to your starting point.

This gentle route will take you along the back of Woolacombe beach, past Putsborough Sands, and up to Baggy Point - an impressive headland at Croyde with crashing waves and dramatic cliffs. Keep an eye out for the North Devon Red Cattle on the Woolacombe dunes, who are there to help improve biodiversity on the dunes!

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 8 miles
Start: Woolacombe, SS 458,438

Simply reverse this route:
CYCLE ROUTE

The Tarka Trail is a traffic-free 32 mile cycle trail which runs from Braunton to Meeth in North Devon. Flat and family-friendly, the trail travels through beautiful countryside, offering stunning views across the estuaries of the River Taw and Torridge with many picnic spots, cafes and pubs along the route.

This is an expert bike ride for which very good fitness is required. But if you're looking the most coast for your effort, this is the ride for you. Starting out in Woolacombe, you'll pass through beachy Croyde and skirt around the edge of Saunton. We recommend stopping at Heartbreak Hotel Coffee in Braunton for one of their fabulous doughnuts on the way back- you'll have earned it!

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 22.1 miles
Start: Esplanade Car Park, Woolacombe

Lynmouth is one of the most popular destinations in the Exmoor National Park. Its spectacular setting is at the mouths of the wooded gorges of the East and West Lyn rivers, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs.

The Valley of Rocks is arguably the most spectacular scenic location on Exmoor.

Clovelly village is famous the world over. It clings to a 400 foot cliff in North Devon and has no vehicular traffic on its steeply cobbled street, just donkeys and sledges.

Once owned by the Queen of England, visiting Clovelly is such a special experience.

One for the explorers is Lundy Island. Lundy lies 10 miles off the coast of North Devon, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bristol Channel. Just setting sail for Lundy feels like an adventure!

A granite outcrop, three miles long and half a mile wide, the island is never crowded, even in the height of summer. It's home to puffins and seals. If it’s a castaway, get-away-from-it-all bolthole you crave, you have found your mecca.