Walks near Plymouth by train

Undulating South West Coast Path cliffs to a picturesque smuggling village, with harbour and island views.

Warnings: Strenuous cliff path with steep ascents and descents.

Walk details: Great Scenic Railways of Devon & Cornwall (PDF).

A walk in open country and Devon green lanes linking the city's two outer stations, climbing out of the suburbs through Mincinglake Valley Park and over Stoke Hill, with superb views opening up over Exeter and down the Exe Estuary before a long descent past the University to St David's.

Mincinglake Valley Park: a wooded valley park and Local Nature Reserve climbing out of the city, with views opening back over Exeter.

Exeter

Time: 2h30

Lunch: Pubs and shops at the start (the Queen's Head by Polsloe Bridge) and at the finish (the Jolly Porter and Great Western, opposite St David's station).

Walk details: Avocet Line Rail Users Group (PDF).

Recommended: Infinitely more attractive, peaceful and rewarding; the glorious contrasts of the exposed coast. A varied coastal and hinterland walk combining a seasonal ferry across the River Exe, exposed sea wall, sheltered country lanes, mud tractor tracks and steep climbs through pine forest. Surfaces include some demanding, muddy stretches and with several steep gradients. An alternative regular train links Exmouth and Starcross via Exeter Central if the ferry isn't running. Food shops and toilets at Exmouth, Starcross, Dawlish Warren and Dawlish.

Coastal: three fifths along the coast.

Time: 3h30–7h

Warnings: Relies on the seasonal Starcross Ferry (Apr–Oct, also affected by low spring tides) — check operating times before setting out. Some sections are steep and muddy; one minor road crossing is quite busy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: An excellent route that's full of delicious paths and old unmetalled lanes. A route full of delicious paths and old unmetalled lanes, including the lovely holloway of Fleet Mill Lane, then quiet lanes with one cross-field footpath and finishing at the seaside. Fairly accessible with no stiles but some steps and steep gradients; lanes can be muddy at times. Well served by public transport at both ends; follows the historic holloway of Fleet Mill Lane.

Time: 4h–7h30

End-of-walk reward: Paignton seafront has public toilets, a small shop, ice cream and good pubs.

Warnings: Care is needed on the narrow Aish Road / Lembury Road south of Coombe House Lane where wider vehicles need to pass.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: A tough but rewarding walk, with a ferry crossing at Teignmouth.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 8h–16h

Walk details: Railwalks.

Reverse direction: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Beautiful views. Coastal path. Sunday service only runs in summer (bus link in winter); Includes a short ferry crossing.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Time: 9h–18h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Time: 9h30–19h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 5h30–11h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Beautiful countryside & villages; Fabulous views towards the moors. Footpaths, bridleways, unmetalled roads and quiet, leafy country lanes through rolling Devon countryside, with pavement sections in towns and villages. Some quite steep gradients and with field paths between villages. At Earlscombe Farm a footpath has been recently diverted, so follow the waymarked route rather than the GPX line.

Time: 6h30–13h30

Lunch: A pub at Ugborough and another at Harberton, both roughly mid-route.

End-of-walk reward: Plenty of transport and refreshment options in Totnes.

Warnings: Numerous gates and stiles, including a couple of ladder stiles and a stone step stile with ropes. One slightly tricky crossing of the B3196 near Kittaford Cross, with steps down to the road, so listen for traffic before committing.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 6h30–13h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A route that snakes through the countryside largely following the John Musgrave Heritage Trail, on footpaths, bridleways, country lanes and pavements through woodland and fields and a geopark. Generally good paths that probably don't get too muddy in winter; some quiet road sections and one big hill out of Coffinswell with great views. Mostly follows the well-signposted John Musgrave Heritage Trail. Half-hourly trains at both ends. Kingskerswell makes a good halfway break with refreshments, toilets and a bus link.

Time: 5h–10h

Lunch: Shops, pubs and cafes at Kingskerswell, plus a cafe and toilets at Cockington.

Warnings: The Edginswell to North Whilborough section is all on narrow road where you may have to step into the hedge to let cars pass, though the roads are quiet.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Inland to St Austell station.

Walk details: Railwalks.