The Best Autumn Walks in Devon

As well as the 300 acres of forest surrounding the park to explore without the need to take your car, there are plenty of other autumn walks to enjoy in the surrounding area.

Haldon Forest – just the other side of Exeter the forest has plenty of walking and cycling trails and is specially colourful at this time of year. There are paths just for a quiet stroll and more hilly trails for a challenging hike. There is also plenty of parking, a cafe, children’s play areas, picnic spots and an activity trail.

The ancient woodland at Watersmeet on Exmoor is a perfect spot for autumn photos and the forest is full of birdlife. There are several circular walks, ranging from short and easy walking to longer and over more challenging terrain. It’s not far to the coast either, at Lynmouth.

Bellever Forest on Dartmoor is an unmissable stop with glorious views from Bellever Tor and walking trails including a riverside walk. The forest is well-known for its beautiful autumn foliage.

Hembury Fort is a short drive from the park and is great for exploring, with sweeping valley views and wooded ramparts.

There are many parts of the South West Coast Path which are a short car journey away from Forest Glade. Autumn is a lovely time to explore our coastline whilst enjoying the crisp sea air and the changing colours on the trees, bracken and heather.

The Tarka Trail is a 180 mile loop exploring North Devon and includes the UK’s longest traffic-free cycle path as well as footpaths, bridleways and a train ride back to the start. Explore different parts of the countryside by joining the trail at various places along the route.

Explore the lower Otter Valley from Budleigh Salterton with an easy walk which is ideal for younger children. This walk is particularly enjoyable in autum as the leaves on the trees start to change colour, the bushes are alive with birds after the berries and migrant birds start to gather at the mouth of the river.

Park in the village hall car park in Branscombe Village, visit the Old Bakery Tea Rooms for seasonal goodies and then take a walk down through the valley to the beach.

Sidmouth Arboretum is the UK’s only civic arboretum. Guides and trails are available online or from the Tourist Information Centre in the town. There are various tree walks around the town and nearby and autumn is a great time to visit.

The city of Exeter, Devon’s county town has more than 250 acres of public open space including six valley parks managed by Devon Wildlife Trust. Autumn is the time of year for fungi-spotting. Enjoy leisurely walks, places to relax, find views and wildlife.

The National Trust’s Killerton Gardens is lovely at any time of year. There is a recommended walk around the grounds so that you can the best of the autumn colour.

RHS Rosemoor is the perfect place to visit to appreciate the many different sides of autumn in the garden – seedheads of many shapes and sizes, glorious grasses, flaming Acers and produce in the kitchen garden. For young children there are educational walks run by the ranger team. There are a range of half term activities too.

The Garden House has been described as one of the finest gardens in England, is run by a charity and is open all year round. There’s an acer glade and an autumn trail for the children.

Stone Lane Gardens is a five acre woodland and water garden on the edge of Dartmoor. It is famous for its National Collections of birch and alder trees, which are white barked and turn butter-yellow in autumn. Their annual sculpture exhibition closes at the end of October.

Autumn wouldn’t be autumn without fungi of all shapes, sizes and colours. Wherever you are walking, keep a look out on the ground, on rotting wood and on trees.