A Pooch's Paradise
When it comes to dog-walking locations in North Devon, you’ll certainly be spoilt for choice. With miles of coast paths with breathtaking views to explore, along with a network of footpaths across rugged moorland and forest adventures, there’s no surprise North Devon is known as a destination suited for both dogs and owners alike.
Have we got you reaching for the lead? Why not stay at The Royal Hotel, with dog-friendly rooms waiting to welcome you and your companion on your Devon adventure, with dogs staying for as little as £20 per night.
Take a read of our top-rated dog-friendly walking routes. You won’t be short of wide-open spaces to explore with your four-legged companion.
Heddon Valley
This 6-mile walk starts and finishes at Heddon Valley bypassing Woody Bay. This walking route follows a 19th-century carriageway, taking you along the South West Coast Path across some of the highest and most dramatic cliffs in England, dogs are required to wear a lead on parts of the walk where livestock may be grazing, however, signage is in use. Discover breathtaking views of the coast and gaze across to Wales on a clear day, walk through ancient sessile oak woodlands and hear the faint sounds of sea birds all around. This walk is estimated to take around 3 hours to complete, giving your four-legged friends the perfect opportunity to burn off some energy.
Tarka Trail
The Tarka Trail covers a stretch of 180-miles, with routes guiding you through quaint towns and villages benefiting from the backdrop of countryside and coastal views. The Tarka Trail offers one of the most dog-friendly routes, with paved walking paths, with a 32-mile long stretch from Braunton, Barnstaple, Instow, and Bideford to Great Torrington. This trail is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, but most importantly loved by dogs with its mostly flat terrain. Our regency hotel benefits from the Tarka Trail being adjacent, simply leave our front door and find yourself en route for a pleasant stroll across to Instow where you can indulge with a much deserved Hockings Ice Cream - after all, it would be rude not to.
Baggy Point
With Croyde bay having summer restrictions for dogs, Baggy Point offers the perfect solution to get the views and stretch your legs with a 2.8-mile walk that starts and finishes at Baggy Point car park (EX33 1PA). Discover a walk with jagged cliff lines and spectacular views of the coastline towards Bideford Bay and Hartland. This walk gives you a real sensation of being on the edge of the world whilst being a relatively easy walking route. Along your walk, you will be greeted by multitudes of wildlife but most likely flocks of sheep as you make your way through the path, so please be sure to keep your dogs on the lead around the livestock.
Lynton & The Valley of Rocks
This 2.9-mile walk starts and finishes at Lynton Cliff Railway Station, which is the easiest way to climb up the 500 feet ascent from Lynmouth. Built between 1887 and 1890, with most of the rock having been cut by hand making this an added gem to this walking route. The Valley of Rocks is one of the most popular destinations in the National Park, adored by dogs and owners alike which comes as no surprise with its spectacular setting at the mouth of the wooded gorges of the East and West Lyn rivers, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs not forgetting the friendly feral goats that roam the land.
Lee Bay to Ilfracombe
This 3-mile walk from Lee Bay across to Ilfracombe along the South West Coast Path is one way to enjoy the wonders of the coast, with heathlands, distant lighthouses and expanses of farmland. With varied terrain and coastal views, this walk has many steep sections allowing you to experience the rugged coastline as well as fuchsia lined hedges, quaint coastal cottages and secluded beaches. Dogs are welcome to roam free for the majority of the walk apart from areas where animals graze, we also recommend keeping them on the lead when close to the cliff edge. Along the walk why not embrace the seaside town of Ilfracombe, home to the Verity the unmissable 66-foot sculpture and mooch around locals shops.