Walks around Torquay

At the northern end of the English Riviera lies Torquay with its magnificent horseshoe-shaped bay, swaying palm trees, elegant Victorian villas, pretty marina, sweeping sandy beach and its fascinating Agatha Christie connections. Stunning headland and countryside views await you in all directions from Torquay.

With a range of walks from easy to challenging there is something for everyone. A particular favourite starts in Torbay and heads inland to the River Dart, taking in one of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's viaduct along the way. Enjoy this selection of walks around the local area.

• Daddyhole Plain - 1.9 miles (3.0 km)

  

  Moderate

  This walk around one of Torbay's three limestone plateaux gives great views of the Bay and the harbour. It travels through an area once formally cultivated by Victorian gardeners but now preserved as a wildlife conservation area, rich in rare plants and with its own colony of the nationally endangered horseshoe bats in a former wartime lookout post. Children will love the dramatic outlook over the cliffs and the London Bridge rock arch, as well as the adventure playground feel of the route. Watch out...

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• Greenway, Broadsands & Galmpton Creek - 6.9 miles (11.0 km)

  

  Challenging

  A town and country walk with breathtaking views over Galmpton Creek and out across Tor Bay. And who can resist Agatha's Christie's house at Greenway, the River Dart from high above at Maypool, or Isambard Kingdom Brunel's railway viaduct? A good walk in autumn, when the trees are turning and birds and small mammals are busy rummaging through the leaves below, laying in supplies for the winter.

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• Labrador Bay - 4.3 miles (7.0 km)

  

  Challenging

  This high-level walk has a lot of ascent and descent, some of which is steep and can be slippery, but the stunning coastal views in all directions make it worth the effort. Starting at the Ness headland, planted to mark Queen Victoria's coronation, it loops through the RSPB Nature Reserve at Labrador Bay. Look out for the rare cirl bunting or a shy roe deer. 

  A good walk in springtime, when the rattling call of the RSPB reserve's cirl buntings can be heard across the...

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• Maidencombe Circular - 3.3 miles (5.3 km)

  

  Moderate

  A moderate walk with a few short stretches of steep ascent and descent, including steps, this adventurous route passes through woodland dotted with glimpses of the red rocks of a one-time equatorial desert landscape, into the picturesque thatched village of Maidencombe, with its medieval courthouse and the famous Judas Tree. Visit in springtime to see the ancient tree in bloom. Children will love the spectacular rocks and stunning sea views of the several sheltered coves en route, and the prehistoric-jungle atmosphere of the woods with...

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• Meadfoot & London Bridge - 4.0 miles (6.4 km)

  

  Moderate

  A walk based on Torquay harbour, with splendid views out across Tor Bay. The harbour was used by the British Navy as an anchorage during the Napoleonic Wars, and as a result it became a fashionable resort, popular with naval officers. Torbay is known as the English Riviera, thanks to the balmy climate brought about by its southerly aspect and the shelter provided by the granite bulk of Dartmoor, to the north east, and tropical plants flourish in the numerous parks and many of the...

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• Paignton and Preston Seafront - 1.3 miles (2.0 km)

  

  Easy

  A short wheelchair-friendly route along Paignton's Victorian esplanade, where there are fossils in the sea wall, and the pier and the two seafront greens still provide an assortment of traditional seaside entertainments. 

  There is disabled access to Hollicombe Beach by means of a slipway. Dogs are banned here in the summer but there is a dog exercise area in Hollicombe Gardens.

  To download our Access guide, click here where you can find additional mapping and photographs showing gradients, path surfaces and other detailed information such...

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• Riviera Line - Torquay Station - Agatha Christie Mile - 3.4 miles (5.4 km)

  

  Easy

  Immerse yourself in the world of the best-selling author, Agatha Christie. Starting at Torquay Railway Station, travel along Torquay’s seafront passing some of the places associated with her life and works. Each location is marked with a unique plaque.

  To download our Access guide, click here where you can find additional mapping and photographs showing gradients, path surfaces and other detailed information such as parking and toilet provision.

  Checked by SWCPA Volunteer Tino Savvas - July 2021.

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• Roundham Head - 0.9 miles (1.4 km)

  

  Easy

  A wheelchair-friendly walk around Paignton's Roundham Head, the hub of the town's sixteenth-century fishing industry. The headland's rocky red layered cliffs are topped with pines and sycamores, and there are extensive views, across Tor Bay to Torquay to the north and over Goodrington Sands to Brixham in the south. On a good day you can even see across Lyme Bay to Portland; but this is an equally captivating walk in poor weather, when the waves are dashed against the rocks and send plumes of surf...

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• The Wildlife & Forts of Berry Head NNR - 1.6 miles (2.6 km)

  

  Easy

  Berry Head National Nature Reserve is Torbay's most important wildlife site, with many rare plants dependent upon the thin soils, mild climate, and exposed conditions of the headland.

  This walk is part of our "Summer Strolls". Although there are no beaches en route (Torbay and all its amenities are close by!) this is a walk to be enjoyed by everyone on a summer's day. It is also good in autumn when the many migrant birds that gather can sometimes include rare breeds, such...

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