Walks you can reach from Totnes by train

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: 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).

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.

Great views along the way; expansive views across the ever-changing estuary. A route with lovely views of the sea and the Exe estuary, mostly on paths with one short section on the road, taking in reed beds and the estuary and ending with a ferry crossing to Topsham. There are steps on the route. Avoids a closed section of the South West Coast Path between Dawlish and The Rockstone. The walk ends with a ferry across the river to Topsham; cycle-friendly using National Cycle Route 2 for a short stretch at the start.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Time: 3h30–7h30

Lunch: Pubs, shops and ice cream along the way.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Quite delightful. A delightful, longer alternative that uses the Mountbatten Ferry then follows the coast path and the Erme Plym Trail through varied scenery - coast, farmland, riverside paths, quiet lanes and pretty villages. Mostly footpaths and very quiet lanes (or with a pavement), hilly in places and with many steps at Mountbatten Point and some muddy footpaths after heavy rain. Involves the Mountbatten Ferry from Plymouth Barbican (about every 30 minutes). Follows the coast path and the Erme Plym Trail. Good transport links from the rest of Devon.

Time: 6h30–13h

Lunch: Pubs at Brixton and Yealmpton, with a cafe at Yealmpton.

Warnings: Many steep steps at Mountbatten Point. Some footpaths were muddy after days of heavy rain. A long road section between Yelmbridge and Burraton, though quiet or pavemented.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Hill and moorland paths and with substantial climbs; surfaced.

Time: 8h–16h30

Warnings: Short stretch on a fast-traffic road with limited verge.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Time: 6h30–13h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Coastal path.

Time: 3h–6h

Warnings: Sections can be overgrown.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Some beautiful streams and woodlands; great views. A fairly direct but hilly route, mainly on very quiet back roads and traversing small valleys with beautiful streams and woodlands. Includes one stile (avoidable via a short detour). A short stretch beside the busy B3359 and a section without pavement in and out of Lostwithiel. No supply stops along the route, so stock up at Lostwithiel or Liskeard. The section between Scorn Mill and through the Deerpark is a delight.

Time: 6h–11h30

Lunch: No places to stop for supplies along the route, so stock up at either end.

Warnings: A 100-metre stretch beside the busy, fast B3359 (good verge and visibility), and a section of Lanwithan Road with no pavement, especially care heading south on the hill.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

The scenery and wildlife is stunning. A quiet riverside route following the West Looe river, with rock, mud and moss underfoot in places. The path can be overgrown and wet and is slippery on the rocky and muddy stretches. Abundant wildlife along the river, including herons.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 6h–11h30

Lunch: No places for refreshments along the route.

Warnings: The section between Herodsfoot and Church Bridge can be very overgrown and wet, with the route not always clear; stay on the east side of the West Looe river. Parts of the path closer to Looe can flood on the tidal river. Proper footwear recommended on slippery rock and mud. No mobile signal at points along the river.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Walking along the tidal zone was beautiful, exciting; It's a special and beautiful route; a lovely walk mostly along the River Teign. A unique intertidal foreshore walk along the River Teign, with significant stretches between tidal high and low water that are covered by the sea for several hours each tide. The surface is predominantly shingle, frequently damp, often covered in slippery eel grass and seaweed and with a slight camber and sharp shells and debris underfoot. The Shaldon-to-Teignmouth stretch is on pavements and good paths. Includes the lower third of the Templer Way from Newton Abbot Town Quay to Shaldon, with Templer Way signs to follow. Tide tables are posted on Town Quay in Newton Abbot and in Teignmouth and Shaldon, and available online (use Teignmouth as location). A ferry runs from Shaldon to Teignmouth. Toilets in Newton Abbot, Shaldon and Teignmouth.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Time: 2h30–5h30

Lunch: Cafes at Shaldon allow a more leisurely stop without tide worries.

Warnings: This is a tidal route that is dangerous if you have not checked tide times: the intertidal stretch between the A380 bridge and Shaldon should not be attempted above half tide (ideally within 2 hours of low water). Never walk out onto the exposed mud banks or short-cut across coves such as Netherton, Coombe Cellars or Arch Brook, where the soft mud is easy to sink into and very hard to escape. The surface is slippery and uneven with many trip hazards; wear walking shoes or boots with good soles.

Walk details: Slow Ways.