Top dog walks in North Devon

Dog walks in North Devon are what doggie dreams are made of – mile upon mile of quiet coastline to explore, rolling fields full of exciting scents, muddy paths dotted with puddles to splash in, and plenty of dog-friendly North Devon pubs to cosy up in after a few hours of fun.

We’ve rounded up some of our favourite routes, perfect for dog walking in North Devon. Not only do they provide the perfect terrain for exercising your pup, they promise wonderful scenery around every bend, making them just as enjoyable for us humans, too.

Grab a lead and walking boots (mud is a key feature of these trails!) and put your best paw forward on these North Devon dog walks (which are even more enjoyable when experienced on a little cottage break …).

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Watersmeet – a woodland dog walk

An idyllic wooded valley, at the confluence of two rivers – Watersmeet is accompanied by a soundtrack of rushing water, the breeze through the trees, and the crunch of leaves underfoot. Owned by the National Trust, it is one of their two-paw-print-rated destinations, meaning there are water bowls, dog bins and dog-friendly walks.

Water-loving hounds will enjoy a splash in the calm sections of the river, while humans will relish the fresh air and serene seclusion of this special place, followed, of course, by a cuppa and a bite to eat in the dog-friendly cafe.

There are several walks of varying lengths to choose from at Watersmeet – we’ve picked out a pleasant one for an afternoon stroll.

Heddon’s Mouth – a gentle dog walk

Amble through ancient woodland alongside the River Heddon, as it meanders down to the sea between some of the highest cliffs on the South West Coast Path. As well as being a lovely spot to walk our four-legged friends, the Heddon Valley is a haven for wildlife, with sightings including the rare high brown fritillary butterfly and otters.

Down on the beach is a 19th-century lime kiln, where lime brought across the Bristol Channel was burnt to make an acid-reducing soil treatment.

The scenic route follows the river back up the valley to your starting point where the conveniently positioned and happily dog-friendly pub, The Hunter’s Inn, awaits to offer post-walkies sustenance.

Abbotsham and Westward Ho! – a coast and country dog walk

If you’re looking for a peaceful trail that’s not too far from civilisation, this lovely circular route is ideal. It takes in the cliffs and beach at Abbotsham, and the west side of Westward Ho!, where it’s worth a detour into the seaside village to sniff out a pasty or pub lunch.

The area was frequented by authors Charles Kingsley and Rudyard Kipling, and offers unparalleled views of the Westward Ho! coastline. Pretty pink coastal flowers blow in the wind at certain times of year, and striking yellow buds brighten up the gorse hedgerows.

Part of the route takes in a small plantation of young trees and open fields down to the sea at Greencliff, while the rest hugs the South West Coast Path, with a steep hill and unpaved trail merging onto a surfaced path as you near Westward Ho!.

Arlington Court woods – a National Trust dog walk

National Trust-owned Arlington Court is surrounded by beautiful, wooded grounds and gardens. While dogs can’t accompany you for a nosy around the stately home, we’re certain that they’ll be more than happy to mooch around the Carriage Museum (where they are allowed), followed by long walkies imagining they’re pooch of the manor.

Family home of the Chichesters (who loved dogs), Arlington is well set up for four-legged visitors and is one of the National Trust’s three-paw-rated places. There are several walking routes to choose from through the grounds and beyond; the one we’ve detailed below takes in the ancient woodland, an attractive church, a wilderness pond, and Cott Brake – where red deer can often be spotted.

Please be mindful that there are some areas where dogs must be kept on leads, due to livestock and wildlife.

Baggy Point – a spectacular coastal dog walk

A dramatic headland jutting out into the sea, Baggy Point offers no end of views (and hills!) to take your breath away. Walk along cliff-top paths, towering above crashing waves; watch sea birds wheel and soar; and admire not one, but two gorgeous North Devon beaches: Croyde and Putsborough.

The attraction of this walk is the fresh sea air and spectacular coastal views, but mention must also be made of the pitstop options on offer in both Croyde and Putsborough. A small detour will have you cradling a hot chocolate in a dog-friendly cafe or biting into a tasty breakfast bap – with titbits for Fido – to rejuvenate you for the rest of the walk.

This is one of the best dog walks in North Devon for coastal views, so don’t miss adding it to your itinerary.

Wistlandpound Reservoir – a sedate lakeside dog walk

If you’re searching for waterside dog walks in North Devon, but fancy exploring further inland, away from the coast, head for Wistlandpound Reservoir. A sedate, circular walk around this curiously named body of water leads you through the peaceful woodland of the established nature reserve. There are two trails to choose from, one of which is accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs (details below), the other following a higher, more uneven path, which requires suitable footwear when muddy.

There is nature aplenty here, making it a lovely walk for families, with bird hides to shelter in while watching out for wading birds and wildfowl. Those who like angling can also make a day of it, purchasing a ‘catch and release’ ticket to fly fish for brown trout.

The reservoir provides fresh water to the local towns of Combe Martin, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple, making it both an indispensable asset, and a lovely spot for a North Devon dog walk.

Valley of Rocks – an accessible coastal dog walk

If you and your dog have a head for heights, there’s no North Devon dog walk better for getting the adrenaline going than a stroll along the coast at Valley of Rocks. At a dizzying height above the sea below, the clifftop route traces the coast to the west of Ilfracombe.

The scenery is craggy, rugged, jaw dropping, majestic … and you’ll be using all the superlatives as you take care to plant one foot firmly in front of the other while daring yourself to look down at the jagged rocks, just a few steps beside you.

The surface is paved, so suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, but its narrow and precipitous nature will mean you’ll have to take care when passing other walkers.

Braunton Burrows – a dog walk through the dunes

Including part of the South West Coast Path, and one of the longest North Devon dog walks on our list, this is a lovely route to take in lots of fresh air and coastal scenery on a fine day with an energetic hound. Passing through the UK’s largest sand dune system, Braunton Burrows – a designated National Nature Reserve – the trail takes you and your pet through a peaceful landscape, past Royal Marine Base Chivenor, taking in the wet pastureland of Braunton Marshes, and then Braunton Great Field.

The latter is of historic significance, as it has been farmed since medieval times, separated into unhedged strips of land, with named furlongs belonging to different farmers, demarcated by ‘landshares’ (unploughed turf ridges) and ‘bondstones’ (large pebbles).

History aside, this North Devon dog walk is scenic and varied, with views of the Taw and Torridge Estuary, and points of interest which include the Crow Point Lighthouse, the flora and fauna of the dunes, and views of Horsey Island Nature Reserve.

Tarka Trail – a level and scenic dog walk

We can’t talk about dog walks in North Devon without mentioning the popular Tarka Trail. The section from Barnstaple to Meeth is a surfaced, multi-user path, suitable for walkers, bikes, prams and pushchairs, so whether you’re looking for a family dog walk in North Devon, or a day-long ramble, it’s perfect for both.

The scenic, accessible section between Bideford and Instow is the ideal distance to enjoy breakfast in the Little White Town (Bideford), making it to Instow for a play on the dog-friendly beach before lunch in one of the many seafront eateries.

The Tarka Trail was inspired by the route followed by Tarka the Otter from Henry Williamson’s 1927 novel. A figure of eight, it takes in 180 miles of beautiful North Devon coast and countryside. Why not have a browse of the Tarka Trail website, and find a few sections to explore with your pup?

Stowford Farm Meadows – a waymarked nature dog walk

North Devon woodland walks are rather overshadowed by their coastal counterparts, but the region has its fair share of beautiful leafy trails for adventures with your pup. One such place that’s off the beaten track is the woodland at Stowford Farm Meadows, 70 acres of oak and larch forest, where it feels you could be in another time, or even a fairy-tale realm.

There is a network of paths to choose from, all waymarked and laid out to help you explore the Bittadon Valley to its fullest. Keep your eyes on the treetops and sky to spot the buzzards that frequent the woodland and see squirrels darting up trunks and leaping between branches.

The babble of the stream and the breeze tousling the leaves provide a natural soundtrack to this serene North Devon dog walk, just 6.5 miles from the town of Ilfracombe.

North Devon dog walks on a map

View our handy map to find the location of all the North Devon dog walks featured above.

Find a dog-friendly cottage in North Devon

If dogs could nominate their favourite dog-friendly place in the UK, North Devon would be right up there. With its fabulous dog walks, numerous dog-friendly places to eat, and fantastic dog-friendly attractions, there really is no reason your pooch should be left behind when you take a holiday in this picturesque region.

We have oodles of dog-friendly holiday cottages in North Devon to choose from, suiting families, couples and groups. Think coastal views, cosy country hideaways, spectacular large homes, and simple get-away-from-it-all lodges – whatever you’re after, you’ll find it amongst our North Devon collection, or expand your search to view all of our Devon cottages.

Dog-friendly cottages in North Devon