Exmouth is a port town on the east bank of the mouth of the River Exe, and the fifth most populous settlement in Devon. There are two great options for running in Exmouth, which can be combined: a promenade along the water and around the marina, and a cycle path to Budleigh.
Waterfront Run. There’s a waterfront path that spans for 3.7 miles, showcasing the mouth of the River Exe as it flows into the English Channel. Starting just north of the Train Station at King George’s Field and run south, doing a tour of the Imperial Recreation Ground and the marina, with views to the River Exe. At the Ferry Terminal (2-mile mark), head east on the Esplanade, a paved waterfront promenade along Exmouth Beach, with nice Channel Views. This section goes for 1.7 miles to a car park near Orcombe Point, passing the Exmouth Pavillion, Flagpole, and The Maer Nature Preserve (additional paths here).
Beach Run. Exmouth Beach is also quite decent for running. Even better is Sandy Bay Beach, just east of Orcombe Point. This wide, sandy beach has good firm sand and goes for ~1 mile.
Bike Path. Creative Commons: Nigel Chadwick
Bike Path to Budleigh. This is a lovely off-road option on a gravel multi-use path that goes for 3.5 miles east to Budleigh. Built on a former rail bed, the path is nearly all off-road. There are woods, fields, and some beach views. The Exmouth end is at Phear Park, and the east end is just north of Knowle Village at Pooh Cottage Holiday Park.
Exmouth is a port town on the east bank of the mouth of the River Exe, and the fifth most populous settlement in Devon. There are two great options for running in Exmouth, which can be combined: a promenade along the water and around the marina, and a cycle path to Budleigh.
Waterfront Run. There’s a waterfront path that spans for 3.7 miles, showcasing the mouth of the River Exe as it flows into the English Channel. Starting just north of the Train Station at King George’s Field and run south, doing a tour of the Imperial Recreation Ground and the marina, with views to the River Exe. At the Ferry Terminal (2-mile mark), head east on the Esplanade, a paved waterfront promenade along Exmouth Beach, with nice Channel Views. This section goes for 1.7 miles to a car park near Orcombe Point, passing the Exmouth Pavillion, Flagpole, and The Maer Nature Preserve (additional paths here).
Beach Run. Exmouth Beach is also quite decent for running. Even better is Sandy Bay Beach, just east of Orcombe Point. This wide, sandy beach has good firm sand and goes for ~1 mile.
Bike Path. Creative Commons: Nigel Chadwick
Bike Path to Budleigh. This is a lovely off-road option on a gravel multi-use path that goes for 3.5 miles east to Budleigh. Built on a former rail bed, the path is nearly all off-road. There are woods, fields, and some beach views. The Exmouth end is at Phear Park, and the east end is just north of Knowle Village at Pooh Cottage Holiday Park.
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Essentials
Waterfront Route: up to 3.7 miles (6 km) one-way; Bike Path: Up to 3.5 miles (5.6 km) one-way
Waterfront Path: flat. Bike Path: 281 feet (86m one-way, west to east)
A 'runseeing' tour of Plymouth, featuring the main sites of Devon's largest city. Includes the Greenery, Hoe Park, the marina area, Mayflower Steps, and the Barbican district. Can be combined with our west Plymouth route for a longer run.
An exploration of the Devonport area in west Plymouth, including Royal William Yard, Mayflower Marina, Mount Wise Park, and Devonport Park. There's also a running track. Can combine with our main Plymouth route, ~1 mile east.
A true destination run only a 7-minute ferry ride from Plymouth. Landscaped gardens, open parkland woodland paths, gorgeous sections of S W Coast Path in this 865-acre historic coast park Something for all runners!
Sidmouth is a tourist resort and a gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The best place to run is a route combining the Esplanade to Peak Hill, and then a jaunt along The Byes, a lovely park leading to Margaret's Meadow.
This 'runseeing' tour of ancient Roman city of Exeter hits all the major sites: Fore St., Cathedral, Castle, several small parks, and a section of paths on the River Exe. For longer, there are additional paths along the river headed south toward Topsham.
There are some pleasant paths along the River Exe, which flows south into the English Channel. One can run up to 8.2 miles, including 2.5 miles along the Exeter Ship Canal in Topsham. Fun option: do the longer run one-way and return via train!
In this seaside resort town nicknamed The English Riviera, there's terrific running around the marina, a couple of small central parks, and the 5+ mile waterfront path south to Paigngton and more.
There's some terrific running in this seaside town on the 'English Riviera', featuring several small parks and a lovely a lovely waterfront path that goes for ~6 miles between Goodrington Beach, just south of Paington north to Torquay.
The best place to run in Brixham is a series of paths along the water. From town, head north to the Brixham Battery or south toward Berry Head, where there are some great views at the Lighthouse. Additional options on the S W coast path.
In Dartmouth, some waterfront running on both sides of the estuary, including optional climb to Dartmnouth Castle. The National Trust Greenway is a destination run, with gorgeous paths around the grounds of Agatha Christie's summer home.
The South Devon AONB is a vast natural area including rugged coastal stretches, farmland & quaint villages. See some of our running recs from among the 200 miles of right of way and 60 miles of Coast Path. There's an excellent website & interactive map.
Running the 'moors' of Dartmoor National Park, especially on a classically bleak day, is a singular running experience. Choosing from among the list of walks, or some of the bridleways and byways recommended for cycling, are great options for running.
The 11.25 mile canal towpath in Grand Western Canal Country Park is a great running option in Tiverton -- the main commercial and administrative centre of Mid Devon. Flat, easy, and all off-road. Additional running options using the 'walks' in the Park.
Wonderful running in North Devon includes: the cycle trails from Barnstaple north to Braunton and south to Meeth; nice quayside running in Bideford; great beach running on Saunton Sands & Greystone Beaches; and sections of S W Coast Path.
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Essentials
Waterfront Route: up to 3.7 miles (6 km) one-way; Bike Path: Up to 3.5 miles (5.6 km) one-way
Waterfront Path: flat. Bike Path: 281 feet (86m one-way, west to east)
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!