Family walks in North Devon: pick a route that fits your day
North Devon has outstanding walking country, but the gap between a coastal path marked "family-friendly" on a leaflet and a walk that actually suits your group today can be significant. The right route depends on your children's age and stamina, how exposed you want to be, whether the path is pushchair-viable, and what the tide is doing if you are linking a walk to a beach. This guide helps you match route to day — not walk everyone into the ground by mile three.
Decision framework
Match the route to your group before you choose
Before you look at specific routes, work through five questions. The answers will rule out most options and leave you with something genuinely achievable.
- What age and stamina are you planning for? Younger children tire faster than adults expect, and a beach morning burns energy before a walk starts. Be honest about today's starting energy, not theoretical capacity.
- What is the terrain? North Devon coast path sections involve steep ascents, uneven rocky ground and occasional cliff exposure. These are not suitable for buggies or very young children without a carrier. Inland and valley routes — Heddon Valley, the Tarka Trail near Barnstaple — offer firm, flat surfaces with more manageable gradients.
- How exposed is the route? Exposed headland walks (Morte Point, Baggy Point) are spectacular but wind-buffeted year-round. They demand waterproofs, warm layers, and children who are reliable near cliff edges. Sheltered valley walks are far more forgiving in changeable weather.
- Does the route touch a beach or tidal area? If the walk involves a beach section or tidal flat, check the tide before you leave. A beach accessible at low tide can become a cut-off point two hours later. Build in a generous return margin.
- What is your fallback? The most useful thing to plan is the exit. Know in advance what you will do if someone needs to stop: is there a road within reasonable walking distance, a café to shelter in, a shorter return path? The best family walks have an obvious bail-out rather than a single there-and-back commitment.
Shortlist
Routes worth considering with children
Woolacombe dunes and beach
A flat, low-commitment walk across the sand dunes behind Woolacombe Beach — with no significant ascents, easy to cut short, and naturally interesting for children who want to stop and climb. See the full easy walks near Woolacombe guide for route options from the village.
Morte Point from Mortehoe
A National Trust circular walk of approximately 3km from Mortehoe village to the Morte Point headland and back via the coast path. Rocky underfoot in places, exposed to wind, and not suitable for buggies. The rocky terrain and exposure make it most suitable for those steady on uneven ground — the views and seal potential make it memorable. See the Morte Point walk guide.
Heddon Valley, Exmoor
A National Trust riverside walk in a sheltered wooded valley above Heddon's Mouth beach. The main path to the beach from the car park is approximately 2km each way and is mostly firm and accessible. The final section to the beach itself is stony.
Valley of Rocks, Lynton
A dramatic dry valley above Lynton with a well-maintained level path, goats, unusual geology and good views. Easy walking on a firm surface with manageable distances. Combine with Lynton town for a full half-day. About 40 minutes from Woolacombe by car.
~10 min from Woolacombe, National Trust
Morte Point: what makes it realistic and what to check
Morte Point is managed by the National Trust and reached from the car park in Mortehoe village. The circular route is around 3km on uneven coastal terrain. The path crosses National Trust farmland before reaching the headland, so dogs must be on leads, and the coastal section has no guard against cliff edges — children need to stay on the path and away from exposed rock edges, particularly on the seaward side.
What makes it realistic: there is no major ascent, the path is clear, and the village car park and pub give you an obvious start and end point. What to check before going: current NT access notices for any path closures; weather and wind forecast (the headland is fully exposed); and the time — do not aim to finish as it gets dark in autumn. The full Morte Point walk guide has route and access detail, and Mortehoe with kids covers the village.
~35 min from Woolacombe, Exmoor / National Trust
Heddon Valley: the sheltered option
Heddon Valley works well for families in changeable weather because the main path is a sheltered riverside track rather than an exposed coastal route. The National Trust manages the valley and maintains the car park at the head. From the car park to Heddon's Mouth (the point where the river meets the sea at a pebbly cove) is approximately 2km each way. The path is firm underfoot in dry conditions; the last 200m to the beach becomes rougher and stony.
The sheltered tree cover makes it a useful option in poor weather — the valley sides block much of the wind. It is popular in school holidays so arrive early to secure parking. The NT's current access information should be checked for any path work or closures before visiting, particularly the section approaching the beach.
Based in Woolacombe
Short and easy options from the village
If you are based in Woolacombe and want something low-effort — particularly useful after a beach morning when energy is variable — the dunes and coast path above the south end of the beach give a short, scenic circuit without commitment. The easy walks near Woolacombe guide covers specific options including the walk to Mortehoe village along the coast path (roughly 2km, some uphill, manageable for children aged five or six and over) and shorter dune options that suit toddlers.
The South West Coast Path runs in both directions from Woolacombe and the North Devon coastal walks guide covers longer options once your children can handle more distance.
Before you leave
What to check on any coastal walk
Coastal paths carry genuine hazards that indoor-scale risk assessment misses. A few standard checks before every walk:
- Cliff edge awareness. Very young children do not reliably stop at edges. On headland sections, hold hands or use a harness for children who might run ahead. Do not approach cliff edges for photo opportunities.
- Weather and wind. North Devon headlands are exposed. A pleasant morning on the beach can become cold and wet on the coast path within the same hour. Pack waterproofs and an extra layer regardless of the forecast.
- Footwear. Wellies or hiking boots with ankle support for coastal paths. Trainers without grip are dangerous on wet coastal rock; flip-flops are unsuitable for anything beyond flat beach.
- Tides if beach access is involved. Check the live tide times before any walk that involves a beach approach or a tidal section. The tidal margin changes significantly over a fortnight.
- Path closures. National Trust and South West Coast Path manage significant lengths of North Devon coast path. Both publish current closure and diversion notices; check their websites for the route you plan before travelling.
Checked July 2026
Sources used
- South West Coast Path Association: route information, access notices and family-route guidance for the North Devon section of the coast path (southwestcoastpath.org.uk).
- National Trust: Morte Point, Heddon Valley and related access notices and path conditions (nationaltrust.org.uk).
- Exmoor National Park Authority: Valley of Rocks and Heddon Valley visitor information and access guidance (exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk).
- RNLI: cliff and coastal safety guidance relevant to walking near exposed headlands (rnli.org).
Route access, path conditions and closures change seasonally. Always check the relevant landowner or authority notice before setting off.