Dog Friendly Walks & Beaches in Devon
Everything we've reviewed in Devon. Walks, beaches, and everything in between, built for dog owners who don't leave their dogs behind.
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Bolt Head to Bolt Tail Coastal Walk
DevonA strenuous South Hams coastal walk between two dramatic headlands with big sea views and remote cliff scenery.
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Hartland Quay to Speke’s Mill Mouth Walk (North Devon)
DevonOne of Devon's most dramatic coastal walks along a wild, dark cliff section with sea stacks and a spectacular waterfall descent.
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Heddon’s Mouth Trail
DevonA gentle NT valley walk to a dramatic rocky cove with high off-lead potential and excellent facilities at Hunter's Inn; one of the most rewarding short walks on Exmoor.
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Rough Tor and Brown Willy (Bodmin Moor)
DevonA proper moorland adventure to Cornwall's two highest peaks, with open, exposed terrain and a real sense of wildness on the summit.
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Saunton Sands
DevonOver three miles of open sand with no seasonal ban, backed by a UNESCO-listed dune system that makes it one of Devon's most reliable dog friendly beaches.
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Teign Gorge Circular Walk
DevonA Dartmoor gorge walk through ancient oak woodland above the River Teign, with one of the best riverside pubs in Devon at Fingle Bridge.
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Woolacombe Beach
DevonA massive Atlantic beach with a zone system that still leaves miles of unrestricted sand for dogs to run year round.
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Avon Dam Reservoir Circular Walk
DevonA Dartmoor reservoir walk climbing through river valley and open moorland, with wild granite scenery throughout.
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Beer to Branscombe Coastal Walk
DevonA Jurassic Coast walk between two characterful Devon fishing villages with significant cliff climbing and sea views throughout.
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Beesands Beach
DevonA quiet, year-round shingle beach with a working fishing village, two excellent dog friendly eateries and coast path access in both directions.
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Bellever Forest and Bellever Tor Circular
DevonA brilliant mix of forest and open moorland with river access. Dogs should be kept on leads around the picnic area near the car park where ponies graze.
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Burrator Reservoir Circular
DevonOne of Dartmoor's most accessible and rewarding water-edge walks. Dogs must be kept on leads throughout as a South West Water requirement.
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Camel Trail
DevonA flat, easy trail along a disused railway beside the Camel Estuary, shared with cyclists but wide enough to feel relaxed with dogs.
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Haytor Quarry and Tramway Trail
DevonA short, accessible circuit with real historical interest and enough open space for a confident dog to stretch its legs. Good option for a shorter outing or as a warm-up walk.
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Lantic Bay Coastal Walk
DevonA short but steep coastal walk down to one of Cornwall's most beautiful hidden beaches, quieter than the headline bays.
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Otterton Mill and River Otter Walk
DevonA riverside walk following the Otter from the working mill at Otterton through watermeadows to the coast and back.
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Pentire Headland Walk
DevonA punchy headland walk above Polzeath with wild coastal views and clifftop drama, short but exposed and rewarding.
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Sharpham Estate and River Dart Walk
DevonA Dart Valley walk through the Sharpham Estate with vineyard views and river stretches that feel genuinely removed.
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Soar Mill Cove
DevonA wild, foot-access-only cove near Salcombe with year-round dog access, soft sand, and a remote feel that rewards those prepared for the coastal walk to reach it.
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Teign Valley: Dogmarsh Bridge and Fingle Bridge Circular
DevonOne of Dartmoor's finest riverside walks, almost entirely shaded by ancient woodland and with excellent water access for dogs throughout.
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Thurlestone Sands
DevonYear round access on a National Trust beach with rock pools, clear water and a direct link to the South West Coast Path in both directions.
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Watersmeet to Ash Bridge
DevonA gentle riverside walk through ancient oak woodland with excellent National Trust tea-room; the easy terrain and good water access make it ideal for relaxed dogs.
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Ayrmer Cove
DevonA remote, year-round dog-friendly cove with no facilities and no easy access, making it one of the quieter spots on the South Devon coast for dogs and owners who prefer solitude.
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Babbacombe Beach
DevonA sheltered shingle cove below steep wooded cliffs near Torquay, year-round dog friendly and quieter than nearby Oddicombe, with the Cary Arms pub directly overlooking the beach.
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Barricane Beach
DevonA tiny, shell-strewn cove half a mile from Woolacombe, famous for cowrie shells washed in from the Caribbean and a beloved beach curry cafe, though dogs must be on leads when the cafe is operating in the warmer months.
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Bigbury-on-Sea
DevonA stunning sandy beach with views of Burgh Island and seasonal dog restrictions on the main beach, though the year-round section to the west of the causeway is a solid consolation for dogs all summer.
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Blackpool Sands
DevonA privately managed Blue Flag beach near Dartmouth with exceptional facilities and clear water, though dogs are banned from the beach and car parks entirely from May to October -- one of the longer seasonal bans in Devon.
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Cardinham Woods
DevonA Forestry England woodland walk with well-marked trails, a cafe and dog wash on site - the reliable option when weather pushes you off the coast.
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Compass Cove
DevonA secluded, year-round dog-friendly sandy cove near Dartmouth with Grecian-style water, accessible only via the South West Coast Path and with interesting history as a Victorian telegraph cable site.
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Fernworthy Reservoir Circular Walk
DevonA Dartmoor reservoir and forest circuit with stone rows and Bronze Age monuments nearby, good in most weather conditions.
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Great Staple Tor and White Tor Circuit
DevonRemote, exposed and genuinely wild walking in western Dartmoor, with excellent off-lead potential on open moorland but significant livestock throughout and a military firing range to be aware of.
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Haldon Forest Discovery Trail
DevonA Forestry England trail through Haldon Forest above Exeter with well-maintained paths and good facilities on site.
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Haytor and Hound Tor Circular
DevonWide open moorland, wild ponies and ancient woodland make this a memorable route, though the lack of signage means navigation requires attention and exposed sections can be very windy.
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Hele Bay
DevonA year-round dog-friendly sand and shingle cove just outside Ilfracombe, hugely popular with dog walkers escaping the town beach restrictions, with a pub and car park right behind the beach.
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Hope Cove
DevonTwo sheltered sandy coves in an old smuggling village, with year-round lead-on access at Harbour Beach and seasonal restrictions only on Mouthwell Sands.
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Lynmouth Beach
DevonA shingle beach at the foot of Exmoor in the dramatic village of Lynmouth, year-round dog friendly and directly below the famous Victorian Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway with pubs and shops just steps away.
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Lynton, Lynmouth and Watersmeet Circular
DevonA spectacular Exmoor river valley walk with dramatic gorge scenery and excellent National Trust facilities; the steep terrain and livestock require care throughout.
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Mothecombe Beach
DevonA privately-owned, beautifully unspoilt sandy beach on the Erme estuary with no summer dog access, but an exceptional off-season destination for dogs and their owners.
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Putsborough Sands
DevonThe quieter southern end of the Woolacombe beach system, Putsborough has partial year-round dog access with restrictions on the left section from Easter to November -- a solid year-round choice if you head to the right.
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Salcombe North Sands
DevonA shallow, year-round dog-friendly sandy beach a mile from Salcombe, popular with locals and visitors, with a well-regarded dog-friendly restaurant directly overlooking the beach.
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Strete Gate Beach
DevonA year-round dog-friendly continuation of the Slapton Sands shingle bar, with a car park, toilets, and a seasonal food van right at the entrance, making it one of the most practical dog walking beaches in South Devon.
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Tarka Trail: Fremington Quay to Instow
DevonA flat estuary trail along the Taw Estuary with big sky views across the water, excellent for dogs and straightforward year round.
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Teign Gorge and Castle Drogo Circular
DevonOutstanding scenery and excellent river access, but dogs must be kept on leads throughout the Castle Drogo estate and wherever livestock are grazing along the route.
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Torcross Beach
DevonPart of the Slapton Sands shingle bar, this is a year-round dog-friendly beach backed by a freshwater nature reserve, with pubs and a cafe in the village and easy road access.
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Torrington Commons Circular Walk (Great Torrington)
DevonA commons and riverside walk on the edge of Great Torrington, with views across the Torridge Valley and good off-lead stretches.
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Valley of Rocks Coastal Loop
DevonSpectacular rock formations and feral goats on a dramatic coastal loop; moderate off-lead potential but sheep and cliff edges require attention.
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Watcombe Beach
DevonA beautiful crescent of sand enclosed by red cliffs and woodland north of Torquay, year-round dog friendly and popular with walkers and dog owners who do not mind the steep access path.
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Westward Ho! Beach
DevonThe north end stays open to dogs year round and backs onto Northam Burrows, giving reliable access even when the main beach is restricted in summer.
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Wistman's Wood and Longaford Tor Circular
DevonAncient, atmospheric and genuinely unlike anywhere else in England, though the boggy moorland and rocky terrain around the wood require care underfoot.
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Bantham Beach
DevonThe main beach is closed to dogs all summer, but the year-round estuary beach at low tide is a sandy, sheltered alternative with views across to Burgh Island.
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Broadsands Beach
DevonA long, gently sloping sandy beach on the English Riviera between Paignton and Brixham, popular with families but with a summer dog ban, though a dog exercise area on the green behind the beach is available year-round.
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Croyde Beach
DevonOne of the UK's most celebrated surf beaches, Croyde is stunning but off-limits to dogs entirely from May to September -- an autumn and winter destination only for dog owners.
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Dawlish Beach
DevonA long sandy beach in a traditional Devon seaside town with seasonal restrictions on the main stretch, though dogs are allowed year-round from the slipway by the station heading north towards Langstone Rock.
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Dawlish Warren
DevonA groyne-based zone system keeps a decent stretch of beach open to dogs year round, but the nearby nature reserve means leads and awareness of wildlife are essential.
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Elberry Cove
DevonA quiet shingle and rock cove tucked between Broadsands and Brixham, year-round dog friendly with no facilities but accessible via a pleasant coastal walk from either direction.
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Goodrington Sands
DevonA popular family beach in Paignton with two sections: North Sands is year-round dog friendly, while South Sands has a summer ban -- knowing which section to head for is essential.
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Oddicombe Beach
DevonA sandy beach at the foot of red sandstone cliffs near Torquay, accessible by the Babbacombe Cliff Railway, but with a summer dog ban making it an autumn and winter destination for dog owners.
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Salcombe South Sands
DevonA Blue Flag beach a short walk or ferry ride from Salcombe, dog-friendly outside the summer months but with a complete ban from May to September -- one of the stricter South Devon restrictions.
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Sugary Cove
DevonA tiny, remote shingle and rock cove just below Dartmouth Castle, year-round dog friendly and accessible only via steep coast path steps, visible only at lower tide states.
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Teignmouth Back Beach
DevonThe estuary-facing Back Beach in Teignmouth is year-round dog friendly, offering a quieter and more characterful alternative to the busy town beach, with working fishing boats and a different view of the town.
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Wonwell Beach
DevonA quiet, year-round dog-friendly estuary beach on the River Erme, popular with locals for its peaceful character, though limited parking and no facilities keep the crowds thin.
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Challaborough Beach
DevonA sheltered horseshoe cove backed by a holiday park, with seasonal dog restrictions in summer but good access to the coast path for year-round dog walking nearby.
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Combe Martin Beach
DevonA narrow beach at the foot of dramatic cliffs near the village of Combe Martin, with summer dog restrictions making it a winter and shoulder-season option for dog owners visiting North Devon.
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Combesgate Beach
DevonA secluded cove near Woolacombe popular for rock pooling and surfing, but with a full summer dog ban from late April to September meaning it is an autumn and winter option for dog owners.
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Langstone Rock Beach
DevonA quieter stretch of beach at the northern end of Dawlish near Langstone Rock, offering year-round dog access on the tidal section and sitting between the town of Dawlish and Dawlish Warren.
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Tunnels Beaches Ilfracombe
DevonA unique Victorian beach experience accessed through hand-carved tunnels in Ilfracombe, with a tidal bathing pool and exceptional rock pooling, but sadly dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time.