From the rugged coastline to the sandy beaches, from the moors to the rolling hills this corner of the UK provides a stunning backdrop for adventurous travellers. Fans of the water will relish the challenge of surfing, or sea kayaking, in the Atlantic waves, cyclists can take to the rough, heather-clad trails of Exmoor and climbers can tackle sea-swept cliff faces or imposing granite Tors. If you like being outdoors and you like active holidays you’ll like Devon.
Surfing in Devon
Croyde Bay, in North Devon, has become a Mecca for surfers wanting to experience the rolling waves of the Atlantic but there are plenty of other top spots too. Beginners should head to four-mile-long Saunton Beach, a long where the slow rollers are perfect for catching your first waves. Walking on Waves (walkingonwaves.co.uk) offers tuition from an ex European Champ’. Woolacombe and Putsborough beaches are also top spots. On the south coast Bantham and Bigbury-on Sea are popular. Discovery Surf is a good bet for lessons (discoverysurf.com).
Watersports
in Devon
Sea Kayaking is another way to experience the 402-mile coastline. Experienced kayakers will relish the 25-mile trip to Lundy Island, off the North Devon coast. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, puffins and even basking sharks (seakayakingsouthwest.co.uk). If you’ll feeling a little less brave, the estuaries of Salcombe and Dartmouth are more beginner-friendly. A tip for the whole family is to hire a 9-seater canoe and guide who will help paddle you along the peaceful River Dart (canoeadventures.co.uk). Roadford Lake, near Okehampton, on the edge of Dartmoor is Devon's biggest watersports centre with a 730-acre lake where you can try dinghy sailing, windsurfing or kayaking (swlakestrust.org.uk).
Cycling in Devon
Mountain bikers might like to try Gawton Gravity Hub near Tavistock in South Devon (gawtongravityhub.co.uk), where you’ll find a range of easy to advanced single track downhill trails that wind through the stunning Tavistock ‘Tavi’ woods. Take the lift back up to save your legs. A more moderate, family-friendly, bike ride is the Tarka Trail in North Devon, a 30-mile gravel-paved track between Braunton and Meeth, on old railway tracks (sustrans.org.uk/sustrans-near-you/south-west/easy-rides-in-the-south-west/tarka-trail).
Hiking and Walking in Devon
The South West Coast Path National Trail skirts the entire Devon and Cornwall coastlines, north and south. The entire route, from Somerset's Minehead on the edge of Exmoor around to the shores of Poole Harbour in Dorset, is 630-miles but there are many shorter day walks, including pub walks, family walks and multi-day walks (southwestcoastpath.com). Lydford Gorge is the deepest in the south west and within the gorge are walking trails which range from easy and short, to long and more challenging. Take a trail to the bubbling waters of the Devil’s Cauldron, or follow the banks of the River Lyd through the woodland around near Tavistock (nationaltrust.org.uk/lydfordgorge).
Climbing in Devon
The tors of Dartmoor are a big draw rock for climbers of all abilities. Beginners should take a day course with a local climbing company, many are based in and around Okehampton and Yelverton (spirit-of-adventure.com). If the weather comes in, head to the 10-m high indoor climbing wall at Dart Rock Climbing Centre in Buckfastleigh, near Totnes (dartrock.co.uk). Coastal climbing is also popular on Baggy Point in North Devon, and the Jurassic Coast around Budleigh Salterton.
