Exe Valley Way
Exe Valley Way: Estuary-to-Exmoor River Walk
The Exe Valley Way is an 84 km point-to-point walk in England, following the River Exe through Devon and onto Exmoor in Somerset. It runs from Starcross on the Exe Estuary to Exford, with an optional 12 km extension to Exe Head, the river’s source. Most hikers take 5–6 days. The route is moderate: largely valley paths, canal towpath, farmland and lanes, but with steep wooded climbs north of Tiverton and exposed moorland near the finish.
Route Overview
Walked south to north, the route starts at Starcross, where it meets the South West Coast Path, then follows the Exe Estuary and Exeter Ship Canal towpath into Exeter. It continues via Brampford Speke, Thorverton, Bickleigh, Tiverton, Bampton, Brushford and Hawkridge to Exford on Exmoor. The official Explore Devon stages split the walk into nine sections, but most people combine them into 5–6 walking days. Starcross and Exeter St Davids have railway stations, and buses serve many southern sections. For other easy waterside walking, compare the Ashby Canal Trail; for a longer coastal option, see the Anglesey Coastal Path.
River, canal and wool-town history
The Exe Valley Way was devised and waymarked by Devon County Council’s Explore Devon project with Exmoor National Park, linking the River Exe’s source country with the sea. Exeter has been a regional centre since Roman times and still has Roman walls, a medieval cathedral and a historic quay. The lower route follows the Exeter Ship Canal, which dates from the 1560s and includes England’s oldest pound lock. Tiverton grew wealthy on the medieval wool trade and has a Norman-founded castle.
Notable highlights
- Exe Estuary and Exminster Marshes: The southern end crosses estuary and marshland known for wading birds and wildfowl. It gives a level, open start with broad water views.
- Exeter and the historic Quay: The trail passes through Exeter, a cathedral city with Roman walls, a medieval cathedral and a revived quayside on the River Exe.
- Exeter Ship Canal towpath: A flat waterside section links the estuary with Exeter. The canal dates from the 1560s and is one of the easiest walking stretches of the route.
- Bickleigh: This mid-Devon village sits where the Exe valley narrows below Tiverton, with a well-known bridge, thatched cottages and Bickleigh Castle nearby.
- Tiverton: A practical midpoint for food and accommodation, Tiverton is a historic wool town on the Exe with a castle and access to the Grand Western Canal country park.
- Dulverton, Withypool and Exford: The northern end enters Exmoor, following the River Barle area and open moorland towards Exford, with a link to the Two Moors Way at Hawkridge.
Challenges to expect
Do not treat this as a flat river stroll. Meadows and woodland paths can be muddy after rain, and there are short busy-road sections in Exeter and Tiverton. North of Tiverton the valley sides become steeper, with strenuous climbs, and the Exmoor end is more exposed with sparser waymarking on open moor. If you want a more consistently upland walk, compare the Beacons Way.
United Kingdom 
England - Coastal
- River Valley
- Forest
- Moorland
- Farmland
- Paved
- Dirt
- Gravel
- Hotels
- Guesthouses
- Inns
- Campsites
- Family Friendly
- Pet Friendly
- Water Sources
- Campsites
- Picnic Areas
Starts at Starcross on the Exe Estuary, where the route connects with the South West Coast Path, then follows the estuary and canal towpath into Exeter.
Leaves Exeter and continues north through the lower Exe valley towards Brampford Speke.
A shorter valley stage following the Exe corridor through farmland and riverside paths.
Continues through mid-Devon countryside to Bickleigh, where the valley narrows below Tiverton.
A short section into Tiverton, a useful resupply and accommodation stop on the River Exe.
The route becomes hillier north of Tiverton, with wooded valley sides and more undulating walking towards Bampton.
A shorter stage continuing towards the Exmoor fringe and the River Barle area.
Climbs into steeper, wooded Exmoor-edge country and reaches Hawkridge, where the route links with the Two Moors Way.
A moorland finish across the upper Exe country to Exford. From here, walkers can add the optional extension to Exe Head.