WALKING TORBAY

Torbay's continental climate ensures a proliferation of wild flowers in the woodlands, countryside and along clifftops. The clean sea encourages seals and dolphins to visit the bay. The dolphins can often be seen from the shore and sometimes even join the bathers.
Torbay has eleven nationally important Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and a 22 mile stretch of the South West Coast Path (at 630 miles Britain's longest trail - named by The Lonely Planet's as 'one of the world's best walks beside water in remote and beautiful areas'). The area offers excellent coastal and countryside walking to satisfy all levels of fitness.

The Coastal Path between Goodrington and Torquay passes mainly through urban areas, but the section from Sharkham Point to Kingswear affords spectacular coastal scenery (for the energetic, the car can be left at Churston for a walk to Kingswear, and a steamtrain ride back to Churston).

Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust manages the local nature reserves and sites of scientific
interest, and produces a series of leaflets detailing circular countryside walks throughout
Paignton, Torquay, and Brixham. The two areas that visitors should not miss are Berry Head
(a National Nature Reserve with more than 200 different bird species recorded) with its' seabird
colonies, and Cockington with its' varied wildlife, organic garden, and rural skills centre.

The Torbay Dart Link walk joins the Torbay coastline with the lush beauty of the Dart Valley.
For a circular walk, the car can be left at Churston Station. Follow the "Link" route to Greenway where you can join the Dart Valley Trail to Kingswear, and return to the car by relaxing on the steamtrain, back to Churston. The walk can be shortened by taking the river-link ferry from Greenway to Dartmouth/Kingswear.

2006 has seen the opening of the John Musgrave Heritage Trail, a 35 mile walking trail which takes in coastline, picturesque villages, nature reserves, haunted castles, ancient market town, "England's most beautiful river", ancient trading ports, fishing ports

The trail is broken into four sections, with carparks, bus and ferry services options:

Maidencombe to Cockington - 11 miles
Cockington to Totnes - 9.5 miles
Totnes to Dittisham - 9 miles
Greenway to Brixham - 5.5 miles

Further back from Torbay the walker has a chance to explore the remote wilderness that is
Dartmoor. The 365 square miles offers an unmatched choice of walks from short circular pub
strolls to long treks ("The Templer Way" starts at Haytor and follows the River Teign down
the sea at Teignmouth) and unique environments ("East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths National
Nature Reserve" consists of three adjacent reserves: Yarner Wood; Trendlebere Down; and
Bovey Valley Woodlands) and offers a range of rare wildlife and habitats which make this
a very special place.


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