Description
The route hugs the flat coastline with much of it being along the sea wall exposed to the English Channel, the flood defensive wall along the tidal estuary or the tow path alongside the canal. It shadows the tracks of the Exe Estuary Trail and the South West Coast Path. Surfaces are generally level, wide, smooth-surfaced, well signed and accessible to both walkers and wheels. Inevitably, therefore, it is very popular. It also runs, for stretches, parallel to the principal coast road and the railway and one is rarely away from noise, traffic pollution and congestion before clearing Starcross. Food and toilet facilities are available in Dawlish Warren and Starcross and several pubs offering food are ‘en route’. Unquestionably it is the most direct and easiest route between the two towns and there is no alternative without significantly adding to the mileage. It meets all Slow Route criteria for inclusion. However, there are stretches which may be considered inappropriate by some mobility users and if Topsham Ferry is not operating it needs to be recognised that a further 1.5 – 3km will have to be walked to reach a main road and bus stop.
Temporary Warning valid until 07 September 2022
Access to the sea wall and beach are currently closed at Dawlish Station as part of the British Rail Resilience Project to strengthen sea defences. This is likely to remain the case until 07 September 2022. This alternative short detour is required at the start:
Follow the shared cycle/pedestrian way up broad steps from Richmond Place, and the footpath skirting Lanherne sheltered accommodation. Immediately on joining the A379 turn right down past Coastguard Cottages and cross the railway bridge to join the Coast Path.
Further route details are available in the route review
The route hugs the flat coastline with much of it being along the sea wall exposed to the English Channel, the flood defensive wall along the tidal estuary or the tow path alongside the canal. It shadows the tracks of the Exe Estuary Trail and the South West Coast Path. Surfaces are generally level, wide, smooth-surfaced, well signed and accessible to both walkers and wheels. Inevitably, therefore, it is very popular. It also runs, for stretches, parallel to the principal coast road and the railway and one is rarely away from noise, traffic pollution and congestion before clearing Starcross. Food and toilet facilities are available in Dawlish Warren and Starcross and several pubs offering food are ‘en route’. Unquestionably it is the most direct and easiest route between the two towns and there is no alternative without significantly adding to the mileage. It meets all Slow Route criteria for inclusion. However, there are stretches which may be considered inappropriate by some mobility users and if Topsham Ferry is not operating it needs to be recognised that a further 1.5 – 3km will have to be walked to reach a main road and bus stop.
Temporary Warning valid until 07 September 2022
Access to the sea wall and beach are currently closed at Dawlish Station as part of the British Rail Resilience Project to strengthen sea defences. This is likely to remain the case until 07 September 2022. This alternative short detour is required at the start:
Follow the shared cycle/pedestrian way up broad steps from Richmond Place, and the footpath skirting Lanherne sheltered accommodation. Immediately on joining the A379 turn right down past Coastguard Cottages and cross the railway bridge to join the Coast Path.
Further route details are available in the route review
Status
This route has been reviewed by 4 people.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Dawtop three
Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.
Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 4
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (4)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 6
Surveys
What is this route like?
Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.
Grade 2X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
---|---|---|---|
Description | Note | ||
Grade 2: Mostly smooth and compacted surfaces, but there may be some loose gravel, muddy patches or cobbles. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys. | ||
Full grading description |
Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.
Survey Photos
Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
Narrowest part of path: no data
The steepest uphill gradient East: no data
The steepest uphill gradient West: no data
The steepest camber: no data
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Very clear (1)
Successfully completed
We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.
Recommended by an expert
We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.
Terrain
We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.
There is no data on how much of this route is on roads
There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night
60.0% of the route is paved (1)
There is no data on muddiness
There is no data on rough ground
There is no data on long grass
Report a problem with this data
1 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Dawlish
Grid Ref
SX9639076670
Lat / Lon
50.58053° / -3.46477°
Easting / Northing
296,390E / 76,670N
What3Words
flippers.grove.objective
Topsham
Grid Ref
SX9666288361
Lat / Lon
50.68568° / -3.46419°
Easting / Northing
296,662E / 88,361N
What3Words
riding.couple.expect
Dawlish | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SX9639076670 |
Lat / Lon | 50.58053° / -3.46477° |
Easting / Northing | 296,390E / 76,670N |
What3Words | flippers.grove.objective |
Topsham | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SX9666288361 |
Lat / Lon | 50.68568° / -3.46419° |
Easting / Northing | 296,662E / 88,361N |
What3Words | riding.couple.expect |
Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.
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