Walking

Exeter's compact size makes it easy to explore on foot - and there is plenty to discover along the way. Explore fascinating Roman vestiges, shopping areas and wonderful architecture.  The city's Quayside area is the ideal destination for a relaxing stroll, whilst taking in the the beauty of the River Exe and Canal.

Join a Red Coat Guided Tour to discover more about Exeter's history and hidden treasures from passionate guides. Exeter is one of few cities in the UK to offer free walking tours, and there are 16 different tours to choose from.

If you prefer to explore at your own pace, follow one of Exeter's self-guided walks to discover the city's rich and varied history, following information boards along the way: 

• Exeter Woollen Trail
• Exeter Medieval Trail
• Exeter City Wall Trail
• Exeter University Sculpture Trail
• Ludwell Valley Park Trail

Its location in Devon means you are never far from the countryside in Exeter. You don't have to go far to reach the rolling hills that Devon is famous for - follow the Exeter Green Circle 12 mile trail around Exeter's boundaries to explore valley parks with far reaching views and quiet leafy suburbs. The Green Circle is made up of the five shorter sections with convenient public transport links, which mean they can easily be done individually if you don't feel like walking the entire twelve miles!

Named after the bird that overwinters on the famous Exe Estuary, the Avocet Line is a busy railway connecting Exeter Central and Exmouth stations. The railway travels down the 11 mile line to Exmouth on the eastern side of the Exe Estuary, offering wonderful opportunities for an amble around this picturesque area. For more information, download the following three leaflets: Leaflet 1, Leaflet 2 and Leaflet 3.

For further information on walking in Exeter, see our walking map for an overview of all the paths and walkways throughout the city and our more detailed walking map of the city centre.