Part of our ongoing South West Coast Path adventure!

After completing previous sections of the South West Coast Path, we decided it was time for another stretch. This time we walked from the Exeter Swing Bridge near Countess Wear all the way to Dawlish, passing through Powderham, Starcross, Cockwood and Dawlish Warren before finishing beside the famous Dawlish railway line.

At approximately 10 miles, this is a fantastic walk that combines peaceful canal paths, beautiful estuary views, historic landmarks, wildlife, beaches and some of Devon’s most iconic scenery. 🥾🌿

Thankfully, after a spell of very hot weather, we were lucky enough to enjoy a much cooler day with a light breeze and overcast skies – ideal walking conditions!

🗺️ Route Overview

🥾 Walk at a Glance

Before setting off, here’s an overview of the route we followed. This section of the South West Coast Path starts at the Exeter Swing Bridge near Countess Wear and follows the Exe Estuary Trail before passing Powderham Castle, Starcross, Cockwood, Dawlish Warren and finishing in Dawlish. The walk is approximately 10 miles (16 km) and is mostly flat, making it a great choice for a relaxed day out in Devon.

📍 Start: Exeter Swing Bridge (Countess Wear)

🏁 Finish: Dawlish Railway Station

📏 Distance: Approx. 10 miles (16 km)

⏱️ Time: 4–5 hours

🌊 Highlights: Exe Estuary, Powderham Castle, deer park, Cockwood Harbour, Dawlish Warren and the famous Dawlish sea wall.

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Starting at Exeter Swing Bridge

Our walk began at the Exeter Swing Bridge, where the route also follows part of the Exe Estuary Trail. This first section is shared by both walkers and cyclists, and we certainly noticed how popular it was.

There were plenty of cyclists using the path, along with runners enjoying the cooler weather. Although most were considerate, a few cyclists were travelling quite quickly considering the relatively narrow path, so it’s worth staying aware, especially if walking in a group. 🚴

Running alongside the path is the Exeter Ship Canal, where we spotted kayakers and paddleboarders making the most of the water.

Because this walk followed a long period of dry weather, much of the canal had developed a thick layer of green algae. It certainly made life harder for some of the kayakers as they paddled through the floating vegetation!

Wildlife Along the Route 🦢🦆

One of the real highlights of the day was the amount of wildlife we saw.

Swans, ducks and plenty of other birds were enjoying the calm waters, but our favourite moment had to be spotting a mother duck with her tiny ducklings. They were so small that they couldn’t have been very old at all.

It’s moments like these that make walking in Devon so rewarding.

Following the Canal Towards the Exe Estuary

Continuing along the canal, we passed the South West Water works before walking underneath the busy A38/M5 flyover.

Beyond here the surroundings quickly became much more rural, with fields full of cows and sheep stretching away to our right.

Soon afterwards the walking route separated from the main cycle path, creating a dedicated section for walkers which made the route feel much more relaxed and enjoyable.

The Turf Hotel and Canal Locks ⚓

Before long we reached the Turf Hotel, a popular waterside pub that can only really be reached on foot, by bike or by boat.

Nearby is a small mooring area with yachts and other vessels, together with the impressive canal locks that lower boats from the Exeter Ship Canal into the Exe Estuary, allowing access towards Exmouth and out to sea.

From this point onwards we left the canal behind and continued with the beautiful estuary stretching out beside us.

Stunning Estuary Views

The scenery along this section is simply stunning.

Across the estuary we enjoyed views towards Topsham, Lympstone and Exmouth, while on the opposite side we could see Powderham Belvedere standing proudly in the distance.

The nearby railway line also kept us entertained, with plenty of trains passing throughout our walk.

We watched the Turf Ferry arriving with passengers before crossing over a shared pedestrian and cycle bridge spanning the railway line.

This section offers some of the best views of the entire walk.

Powderham Castle and the Deer Park 🦌

After passing a charming little church, the route briefly joins a quiet road.

Although there were very few cars, it remained busy with walkers and cyclists enjoying the lovely weather.

Soon we reached the grounds of Powderham Castle, one of Devon’s most recognisable landmarks.

Looking across the deer park, we were lucky enough to spot several deer grazing peacefully with the castle visible in the distance – definitely another highlight of the day.

Starcross and Cockwood Harbour

Leaving the road behind, we continued into Starcross, where a picnic area was full of people enjoying lunch while cyclists took a well-earned break.

A nearby snack van was doing a brisk trade serving hot drinks and food.

From here we crossed the road towards Cockwood Harbour, passing in front of the historic Anchor Inn before rejoining the South West Coast Path.

Cockwood is always a lovely place to stop for a while, with its peaceful harbour and traditional Devon atmosphere.

Arriving at Dawlish Warren 🏖️

As we approached Dawlish Warren, the scenery gradually changed from peaceful estuary views to a lively holiday atmosphere.

Holiday parks, caravan sites, gift shops, cafés and food outlets lined the route, giving it the unmistakable feel of one of Devon’s favourite seaside destinations.

Rather than continue along the road, we followed the South West Coast Path across another bridge over the railway and returned to a proper coastal path running alongside the sea defences.

Now it really felt like a true coast path! 🌊

The Final Stretch into Dawlish

The final section is particularly impressive.

Passing beneath the striking red cliffs, the path follows the famous railway line into Dawlish, with incredible sea views all the way.

Below the path is a shingle beach which can also be partly walked at low tide if preferred, while the main path continues alongside the railway.

This is also where you’ll see the famous sea wall that suffered extensive damage during the devastating storms of 2014. Large sections have since been rebuilt and strengthened to better protect both the railway and the coastline from the powerful winter seas that regularly batter this stretch of coast.

Our walk came to an end at Dawlish Railway Station, bringing another memorable section of the South West Coast Path to a close.

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Final Thoughts

This was another fantastic section of the South West Coast Path, offering a wonderful mix of canals, estuary views, wildlife, historic landmarks, countryside and spectacular coastal scenery.

The route is mostly easy to follow and relatively flat, making it suitable for most walkers. Just be aware that the early section shared with cyclists can become quite busy.

If you’re looking for a rewarding Devon walk with plenty of variety, this route is well worth adding to your list.

We’d love to hear from you! 💬 If you’ve walked this beautiful stretch of the South West Coast Path, pop over to our Facebook post and leave a comment. Share your favourite views, wildlife sightings or any tips for fellow walkers. 🦌🌊