I found the BEST East Devon hike 🥾

This is one of my favourite East Devon hikes – it’s a good length (enough to get fully into it but won’t take all day!) and takes in some of the county’s most glorious scenery. 

And completing it is easy with this guide!

This 5.5-mile (9km) circular route combines a cliff-top stretch of the South West Coast Path with a peaceful inland return along the River Otter. 

You’ll walk east from Budleigh Salterton to Ladram Bay on a dramatic red sandstone coastline, then loop inland through Otterton before returning alongside the river. 

The route is well-signed, with short steep climbs on the coast and gentler gradients inland.

Key information

• Distance: 7.4 miles / 11.9 km
• Time: 2.5 to 3 hours walking (more with breaks)
• Start/end point: Budleigh Salterton seafront
• Terrain: Uneven cliff paths, steps at Ladram Bay, quiet lanes, flat riverside trail
• Difficulty: Moderate — some steep climbs and descents
• Footwear: Sturdy walking shoes or boots recommended

Walk directions

Start point: Budleigh Salterton seafront (Lime Kiln Car Park)

I’d usually recommend parking in Lime Kiln Car Park in Budleigh as there are so many spaces (Google Maps location). 

This is also the perfect starting point for your hike – although, as you’ll end here, you might want to walk up and back along Budleigh seafront too! 

But head to the northeast corner of the car park where the trail leading up the River Otter begins. 

Walk 1.1 km (0.7 miles) up the estuary – this should take around 15 minutes. Then you’ll reach a bridge to your right – cross over this and turn right again. Follow this path down to the coast. 

Cliff path to Ladram Bay

You’ll reach Otterton Ledge Viewpoint. From here, continue along the South West Coast Path. The trail runs beside open fields and scrub, with occasional benches and waymarkers. It dips and rises gently with views east towards Sidmouth and west over the Jurassic Coast. 

After about an hour, you’ll reach a final descent into Ladram Bay. The curved shoreline below reveals distinctive red sea stacks – remnants of ancient desert sand dunes turned to rock.

The beach is privately owned, and in the summer, it’s only open to residents of the park, although there are permissive paths for hikers. Read more about when Ladram Bay is open here.

Ladram Bay to Otterton village

To continue the loop, head inland through the holiday park. 

Exit via the driveway that leads uphill to the main road. 

At the top, turn left along the lane (signposted to Otterton) and follow the pavement as it curves into the village. 

Otterton has a thatched pub (The King’s Arms), village shop and the working watermill with a café.

Otterton to Budleigh Salterton (via River Otter path)

From the centre of Otterton walk west along Fore Street until you reach this junction with a small path leading off it (Google Maps link).

Turn left here and join the footpath along the River Otter. The final stretch is peaceful and shaded with views of wetlands and occasional glimpses of egrets and kingfishers. 

In spring and summer the hedgerows are full of wildflowers!

The riverside path brings you back to the outskirts of Budleigh Salterton. Stay on the path until it joins Granary Lane then continue to the seafront.

Facilities and tips

• Toilets: Public toilets at Budleigh Salterton and Ladram Bay
• Food: Cafés and shops in Budleigh, pub and tearoom in Otterton, café at Ladram Bay (seasonal)
• Transport: No buses between Ladram and Budleigh — circular walk is the most practical route

For a longer walk, take a look at this Exmouth – Otterton – Ladram Bay loop.