The best walks and hikes around Exeter

Hiking through history

The Exe Estuary has long been an important maritime trading harbour and the river itself is navigable to Topsham where the Ship Canal takes over, allowing boats to reach Exeter Quay. The historic quayside retains much of its charms from centuries gone by, and it’s not hard to imagine trading ships moored up alongside its cobbled streets. 

Walking through the city centre, you can not only follow the Roman walls and see the remnants of the original 11th-century castle, but also discover the grand cathedral. Standing in the city’s heart, all of Exeter’s hikes will have cathedral views, regardless of whether you visit it or not, so huge is its prominence. And rightly so, it has the longest uninterrupted medieval vaulted ceiling in the world. 

Riverside nature

Some of the best hiking trails in Exeter explore either side of the canal and riverbanks, both of which have plenty of fascinating wildlife to see. From Exeter quayside, you can follow trails on either side of the waterways and feel as though you’re far from the city in mere moments. Moorhens, swans, little egrets, herons and plenty more live within the city’s boundaries as well as south, towards the estuary. 

As you explore further downriver, you can find black-tailed godwit, Canada geese, avocet, Brent geese and widgeon at various times of the year. There are ferries between Topsham and the west banks at two points during the summer, allowing you to complete loop walks downriver too. 

Hiking through the seasons

You can explore walks in Exeter at any time of year. In spring, the waterways see innumerable cygnets and ducklings; summer brings blossom and turns the parks into vibrant shades of green; autumn brings out golden colours and crisper mornings in the surrounding fields; while winter sees the river level rise, transforming the feel of the floodplain further south. 

The city thrives year-round, so hikes can always be accompanied by a pasty, a coffee and a slice of cake.