Brixham is a seaside town on the coast of Tor Bay, part of what’s referred to as the English Riviera, including Torquay and Paignton. The best place to run in Brixham is along the water, between Brixham Battery and Berry Head — it’s not the typical wide seafront promenade, more like a series of paths and roadside sidewalks. The full route is ~6 miles, but can be shortened.
Google Street View
Starting at the marina just off Fore St., head north for 0.8 miles to the Brixham Battery, a former WWII artillery compound. Retrace your steps, and head south around the marina, including an 0.5 mile jaunt down the Brixham Breakwater (pier). Continue along Berry Head Rd., taking the S W Coast Path to the Shoalstone Seawater Pool (seasonal). Here, there’s an 0.3 mile steep climb to Berry Head(note: no shoulder/sidewalk here). Join the S W Coast Path for 0.5 miles, and then a flat dirt road that leads to the Berry Head Lighthouse/Compass Statue. Retrace your steps to the start.
Add-Ons: Additional S W Coast path trails around Berry Head, and continuing south (more challenging). Or, S W Coast Path north of Brixham Battery.
Brixham is a seaside town on the coast of Tor Bay, part of what’s referred to as the English Riviera, including Torquay and Paignton. The best place to run in Brixham is along the water, between Brixham Battery and Berry Head — it’s not the typical wide seafront promenade, more like a series of paths and roadside sidewalks. The full route is ~6 miles, but can be shortened.
Google Street View
Starting at the marina just off Fore St., head north for 0.8 miles to the Brixham Battery, a former WWII artillery compound. Retrace your steps, and head south around the marina, including an 0.5 mile jaunt down the Brixham Breakwater (pier). Continue along Berry Head Rd., taking the S W Coast Path to the Shoalstone Seawater Pool (seasonal). Here, there’s an 0.3 mile steep climb to Berry Head(note: no shoulder/sidewalk here). Join the S W Coast Path for 0.5 miles, and then a flat dirt road that leads to the Berry Head Lighthouse/Compass Statue. Retrace your steps to the start.
Add-Ons: Additional S W Coast path trails around Berry Head, and continuing south (more challenging). Or, S W Coast Path north of Brixham Battery.
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Essentials
Up to 6 miles (9.7 km) out and back
500 feet (152m) -- most of it in the short, steep hill up to Berry Head
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.
Two good running options in this port town at the mouth of the River Exe: a 3.7-mile waterfront path around the Marina and along the Channel east to Orcombe Point; and a 3.5-mile off-road cycle path headed east to Budleigh.
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.
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
Up to 6 miles (9.7 km) out and back
500 feet (152m) -- most of it in the short, steep hill up to Berry Head
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
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!