Located 14 miles southeast of Exeter, Sidmouth is a tourist resort and a gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The best place to run in Sidmouth is a route combining the Esplanade to Peak Hill, and then a jaunt along The Byes, a lovely park & meadow area.
Start at the Information Center. The paved waterfront promenade goes east along the beach for 0.7 miles to Chit Rocks and nice views of Jacob’s Ladder (some nice stairs to get the heart rate up!). Here, join the South West Coast Path for 0.4 miles to Peak Hill. This involves a steady, 200+ foot climb, but on a good surface. The views are worth the climb. Retrace your steps along the path, or use Peak Hill Rd. (there’s a sidewalk).
Creative Commons: Lewis Clarke
The next section is 1-mile jaunt along the gravel/dirt paths through The Byes park, with some nice landscaped sections leading to the more rugged Margaret’s Meadow.
Located 14 miles southeast of Exeter, Sidmouth is a tourist resort and a gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The best place to run in Sidmouth is a route combining the Esplanade to Peak Hill, and then a jaunt along The Byes, a lovely park & meadow area.
Start at the Information Center. The paved waterfront promenade goes east along the beach for 0.7 miles to Chit Rocks and nice views of Jacob’s Ladder (some nice stairs to get the heart rate up!). Here, join the South West Coast Path for 0.4 miles to Peak Hill. This involves a steady, 200+ foot climb, but on a good surface. The views are worth the climb. Retrace your steps along the path, or use Peak Hill Rd. (there’s a sidewalk).
Creative Commons: Lewis Clarke
The next section is 1-mile jaunt along the gravel/dirt paths through The Byes park, with some nice landscaped sections leading to the more rugged Margaret’s Meadow.
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!
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.
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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