Connect Exeter with Slow Ways

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Exeter

Devon


Slow Ways linking Exeter and Chudleigh, Crediton, Moretonhampstead, Ottery St Mary, Silverton, Topsham

England / Devon / Exeter

Exeter’s six Slow Ways are 71% checked

Drawn: 6/6
reviewed: 6/6
verified: 4/6
and surveyed: 1/6

Help connect Exeter

Many Slow Ways have several route options. Some will be better than others, or good for different reasons.

Our goal is for each Slow Way to have at least one route that is verified and surveyed. To be verified – and get its snail badge – a route needs at least three positive reviews.

Give a hike and help get a for every one of Exeter’s Slow Ways.

Walk to Exeter from further afield

Slow Way Route To do
Chudleigh—Exeter
Chuexe one

Double check Distance 22km/14mi Ascent 467m Descent 498m
Chudleigh—Exeter
Chuexe two Survey me Distance 21km/13mi Ascent 532m Descent 563m
Crediton—Exeter
Creexe one

Enjoy me Distance 18km/11mi Ascent 285m Descent 325m
Crediton—Exeter
Creexe two Survey me Distance 21km/13mi Ascent 408m Descent 378m
Crediton—Exeter
Creexe three Survey me Distance 19km/12mi Ascent - Descent -
Exeter—Ottery St Mary
Exeott one

Double check Distance 28km/17mi Ascent 379m Descent 367m
Exeter—Ottery St Mary
Exeott two Review me Distance 29km/18mi Ascent - Descent -
Exeter—Ottery St Mary
Exeott three Review me Distance 24km/15mi Ascent - Descent -
Exeter—Silverton
Exesil one

Double check Distance 14km/9mi Ascent 203m Descent 252m
Exeter—Silverton
Exesil two Verify me Distance 15km/9mi Ascent 251m Descent 208m
Exeter—Silverton
Exesil three Review me Distance 15km/9mi Ascent 200m Descent 245m
Exeter—Silverton
Exesil four Survey me Distance 15km/9mi Ascent - Descent -
Exeter—Topsham
Exetop one

Survey me Distance 8km/5mi Ascent 92m Descent 63m
Exeter—Topsham
Exetop two

Review me Distance 8km/5mi Ascent 98m Descent 69m
Exeter—Topsham
Exetop three Survey me Distance 9km/6mi Ascent - Descent -
Exeter—Topsham
Exetop four Survey me Distance 9km/5mi Ascent - Descent -
Moretonhampstead—Exeter
Morexe one

Double check Distance 23km/14mi Ascent 1,088m Descent 925m
Moretonhampstead—Exeter
Morexe two

Review me Distance 22km/14mi Ascent 769m Descent 930m
Moretonhampstead—Exeter
Morexe three Review me Distance 25km/16mi Ascent - Descent -
Moretonhampstead—Exeter
Morexe four Verify me Distance 24km/15mi Ascent - Descent -

Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?

If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Exeter and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?

This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!

Collective progress

61% of Exeter’s six route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified

20/20

drawn

20/20

reviewed

1/20

surveyed

8/20

verified

26 people have contributed to Exeter’s Slow Ways

2 people have pledged to walk and review a route

1 people have surveyed a route in Exeter

366km out of 366km have been walked and reviewed

889km of reviews have been shared in Exeter

Latest Updates

This route is not walkable, unless you can walk on water - the route crosses rivers with no bridge, stepping stones or ford....

Jarrod

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danravenellison took this photo on Creexe three

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It's by far the hilliest of the three routes - it's also got the best views and the least busy roads....

danravenellison

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But overall a very pleasant walk with some lovely countryside, clear route and quiet minor roads....

Andrew Davies

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After Newton St Cyres train station the footpath that comes off Lake Lane was overgrown and I was forced to push through the edge of a crop field....

DarkDreams

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This route is OK but the footpaths can be quite hard to follow as they aren't that clearly marked. A couple to the East of Dunsford require faith and to go along the side of fields rather than follow the marked ways. Not recommended after heavy rain or when visibility is bad because some of the paths near Longdown turn into very muddy rivers....

Slow Ways Darren

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This is generally a beautiful route, avoiding the main road where possible....

Andrew Davies

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Exeter

Aimée Hall surveyed Exeter

View facilities

At the Exeter end it mostly follows the Sustrans E3 cycle route, which is well signed. Although the excellent route description given by Carine, the route designer is clear and describes the way well, and well worth using....

Tim Ryan

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In that the section between Exeter and Newton St Cyres is, once over Millers crossing, entirely on the west side of the Exe. Care is needed on the unpaved road between the village and the train station at Newton St Cyres....

Tim Ryan

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Crediton—Exeter

Tim Ryan added Creexe three, a new walk from Crediton to Exeter

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The only reason for not giving this a 5* is the long road section between Haldon Forest and Chudleigh. The route through Haldon Forest was easy to follow, even in the snow....

Tim Ryan

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There are options for those wheeling or maybe have mobility on a couple of short tight sections. But overall this is a lovely and easy route....

Tim Ryan

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Exeter—Ottery St Mary

CarineSilver added Exeott three, a new walk from Exeter to Ottery St Mary

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It is not safe (walking along the main A3052 is for the foolhardy), nor especially scenic (other than the early river section and crossing Venn Ottery common) nor is it direct. The section through Exeter, whilst direct, is tedious. There are many better options that win either on being scenic or on being direct....

CarineSilver

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Still a very good route that I enjoyed walking and would recommend....

Charles Hedley

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When I walked it, these roads were very quiet, and the walking was always safe and pleasant....

Tim Ryan

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Need to cross the main line railway at an unmanned crossing but on a long straight stretch of track...

Isobelle Belcher

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There's a level crossing a mile south of Silverton which demands some care and attention, as it's an uncontrolled crossing straight across the tracks used by HST trains....

Bob G

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Moretonhampstead—Exeter

danravenellison added Morexe four, a new walk from Moretonhampstead to Exeter

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I agree with Tim....

danravenellison

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I've shared Morexe Four as a strong alternative that's great to walk, but has a pinch point on the B3212 under the A30 that some people will not feel comfortable walking....

danravenellison

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The footpath is overgrown here and it's necessary to walk down the road for 50 metres or so. The council should really cut back the vegetation and make this crossing safe as there is no other way (that I can see) to walk between Firs Park and Pocombe Hill or Exeter....

danravenellison

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A great route which avoids the main road....

Tim Ryan

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Exeter—Silverton

Tim Ryan added Exesil four, a new walk from Exeter to Silverton

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Overall a lovely walk with lovely views and even includes wallabies! The previous comments about the crossing of the A377 are accurate. This was an unpleasant 1 min of walking when I was there at rush hour....

Charles Hedley

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The Beer Engine in Newton St Cyres is a great option for a stop and the path along the Creedy a nice easy way to restart afterwards....

Emily Howells

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Emily Howells took this photo on Creexe two

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It continues through Ludwell Valley Park where it seemed a shame to be sticking to the tarmac and not going onto one of the tracks through the park itself but I agree with the first reviewer that this makes it very suitable for anyone wanting to cycle and there are still some good views of the park....

Rhiannon

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HOWEVER, one of the paths alongside the railway isn't for bikes so one would have to travel through Newcourt instead....

Daniel Mcloughlin

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Daniel Mcloughlin took this photo on Exetop three

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As the path meets the road by Stoke Post is the first small section of the road which feels a bit less safe - 30mph is not religiously adhered to. This looks on the map as if you start from the cross roads, but you need to follow the road for a few extra metres past the house Westings and then take the signposted path (see picture 4)....

Emily Howells

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Emily Howells took this photo on Exesil three

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Moretonhampstead—Exeter

Tim Ryan added Morexe three, a new walk from Moretonhampstead to Exeter

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This was a very enjoyable route, which I found quite easy to walk - no difficult assents, obstacles or uneven ground. The route takes you through gorgeous and leafy sections of the Devon countryside, and the river Exe is frequent company. Around the Woodrow barton area the route directed the walker along a public byway, but as the photo blow shows there were signs explicitly stating 'no throughway' and 'cows only'. If somebody can explain how I perhaps misread the signs/directions, then the route should be kept at 4 stars, if not, it perhaps should receive a lower rating?...

James Green

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I thought I'd break in my first Slow Ways submission with a walk that is right on my doorstep - I am reasonably familiar with the route, but it was a good opportunity to trial the process of downloading a .GPX, uploading to OS Maps and navigating offline. I found this to be an easy walk, the only section that may prove to be difficult for some is around Old Sludge Beds Nature Reserve (the M5 bridge, for a more clear reference). Top tip - towards the start of the walk, I would encourage a short detour through Belle View park for vibrant biodiversity, it reconnects with the mapped route. Music listened to on walk, artist & album:...

James Green

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James Green took this photo on Exetop one

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Exeter—Ottery St Mary

danravenellison added Exeott two, a new walk from Exeter to Ottery St Mary

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It would be great if the council created a safe walking route parallel to the A3052 to unlock a route via The Cat & Fiddle....

danravenellison

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Followed this route on a bike (tarmacked paths/lanes/roads all the way) and enjoyed exploring the cycling & walking infrastructure around eastern Exeter. Route description is accurate, although the route is a bit wiggly (I took many a wrong turn on my first attempt). Enjoyable nonetheless and would work well as a commute....

Ciara

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The only reason I don’t give it 5 stars is because it does rely on a seasonal ferry, although getting the ferry does add to the overall experience....

Helen C

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This is an excellent route and really should be getting 5 stars....

Tim Ryan

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better than Creexe One which involves some road walking that I'd prefer to avoid. I'm not sure if there is currently a better way to walk between these places....

pilea

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The route follows the river Exe through marsh, woods, fields and historic ports with views to the hills, river and city....

pilea

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I recommend combining it with Exetop one if you want create a loop... just make sure the ferry is running!...

pilea

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I have to give it one star solely to post this review. the route should be removed....

Tim Ryan

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The route is a little difficult to navigate at the initial stage once you leave the city centre and we made a few wrong turns. However, once you're outside of the Exeter city area, it's very easy just to follow the river. There are a few more busy roads than I would wish for on a walking route of this length, but otherwise, there's a lot to see....

Edred Whittingham

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For people who are in Exeter I recommend catching a train or bus to Crediton and walking home....

danravenellison

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danravenellison took this photo on Creexe two

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You will need to get the ferry across the Exe to complete the journey, but this only adds to the pleasure if you've got the time and can afford the ticket....

danravenellison

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The route is pleasant and mostly on footpaths and minor Devon roads unpaved, but generally quiet....

Tim Ryan

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The route starts following pavements through Crediton before following a long stretch of footpaths and road walking alternating. None of the road walking segments were bad when I walked on a Sunday morning - fairly short and very quiet....

mtormey

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There are lots of good routes and ways to get between Topsham and Exeter - and this is one of them!...

pilea

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Crediton—Exeter

Tim Ryan added Creexe two, a new walk from Crediton to Exeter

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This is a good walk if you are able-bodied however the last part from Glasshouse Lane to Topsham is not suitable if you have mobility issues as it includes a narrow goat walk and tidal reedbeds....

Liz Halliday

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Liz Halliday took this photo on Exetop one

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Care needed on a very short section of busy road on the A377 near Half Moon Village, as the route crosses the road....

Tim Ryan

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A lovely countryside walk, with an excellent safe and mostly traffic free route into and out of Exeter city centre....

Tim Ryan

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Exeter—Silverton

danravenellison added Exesil two, a new walk from Exeter to Silverton

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Exeter—Silverton

danravenellison added Exesil three, a new walk from Exeter to Silverton

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Most of this route is beautiful and enjoyable, but unfortunately it depends on extended walking on the A396. This is a busy road with no paths alongside it for extended sections. I am uploading an alternative route that I walked and some other suggestions....

danravenellison

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Chudleigh—Exeter

danravenellison added Chuexe two, a new walk from Chudleigh to Exeter

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I created this route and really enjoyed walking it. It falls short of five stars because of some walking on narrow lanes and it being longer than it should be.... that all said, I'll certainly be walking it again....

danravenellison

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danravenellison surveyed Creexe one

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The Beer Engine brewery and pub is half way along the route and was a welcome pit-stop during our hot walk. The route does not get 5 stars from me because, as other reviewers have noted, there's a couple of bits of road walking that are not ideal....

danravenellison

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danravenellison took this photo on Creexe one

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Easy to navigate and lots of good places to rest and grab a drink at either end. Others may know of better routes. Another reviewer has noted issues with potential flooding....

danravenellison

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The only downside are two unsafe bits: along the A377 near Half Moon Village, and crossing the bridge between Exeter and Cowley, where there is no footpath and high traffic....

aro

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I just wanted to flag that there's one very small section of this route that is on the A377, just before Half Moon Village (coming from Crediton towards Exeter). Although it's a very short part of the walk, the road is so busy and narrow and this part has poor visibility for crossing - it feels very unsafe, especially with children. Unfortunately there is no obvious alternative - it'd be great to solve this problem as this was part of a lovely circular walk we enjoyed during lockdown when there was much less traffic!...

Jemma

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Mostly a good route, though from Countess Weir onwards to Topsham I'd use Topsham road as this route suggests a river path which has a very narrow segment (and steps) and can flood at high tides....

devonshireboy

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Exeter—Topsham

devonshireboy added Exetop three, a new walk from Exeter to Topsham

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Exeter—Topsham

devonshireboy added Exetop four, a new walk from Exeter to Topsham

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This area is subject to a massive housing development, with the road being re-aligned and the footpath suggested further along on the left will disappear. One look at the map shows the circuitous route for this detour with re-aligned roads to make way for the 6-8 lane trunk route the A38 which is a continuation of the M5. Eventually the route re-crosses the A38 and turns left on a path and finally road to Chudleigh which is OK.4...

Trainman8

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I have not walked this route but looking at the route in the mapping software it crosses many fields with no rights of way and appears to cross the river Exe in Exeter where there is no bridge, I don't believe this route can be walked....

Tim Spray

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Exeter

GeeJayHaitch surveyed Exeter

View facilities
Chudleigh—Exeter

Slow Ways added Chuexe one, a new walk from Chudleigh to Exeter

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Crediton—Exeter

Slow Ways added Creexe one, a new walk from Crediton to Exeter

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Exeter—Ottery St Mary

Slow Ways added Exeott one, a new walk from Exeter to Ottery St Mary

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Exeter—Silverton

Slow Ways added Exesil one, a new walk from Exeter to Silverton

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Exeter—Topsham

Slow Ways added Exetop one, a new walk from Exeter to Topsham

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Exeter—Topsham

Slow Ways added Exetop two, a new walk from Exeter to Topsham

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Moretonhampstead—Exeter

Slow Ways added Morexe one, a new walk from Moretonhampstead to Exeter

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Moretonhampstead—Exeter

Slow Ways added Morexe two, a new walk from Moretonhampstead to Exeter

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1

Exeter, Sat 20 April

14°

Sunny day

Exeter’s Slow Ways starting point

Grid ref

SX9185692947

Lat / Lon

50.72604° / -3.53355°

Easting / Northing

291,856E / 92,947N

Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?

If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Exeter and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?

This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!

Facilities

Users have reported that the following facilities can be found within 1km of Exeter's meeting point

Public toilet

Wheelchair accessible toilet

Supermarket or convenience shop

Restaurant, cafe or pub

Accommodation

Accommodation for under £50 a night

Campsite

Bothy

Free wifi

Mobility scooter hire

Off-road wheelchair hire

Disabled Parking

Train station

Bus stop

Ferry

Official ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town

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