I spent the first three months of 2026 in England (well, apart from a work trip – more on that another day); normally I go abroad for my birthday but honestly everything has been so chaotic that I decided I just wanted to explore some of England instead as I didn’t have the time or energy to plan anything further afield. Our first trip of 2026 was to the south of England, to beautiful Devon for a long weekend. We largely just spent our time out in nature hiking, so let me take you on our first walk.
One of the walks we did is a beautiful woodland hike, known as the Teign Gorge Circular Walk. It’s often talked of as one of the best walks in Devon, and I agree it’s worthy of a spot near the top of your list. With dramatic river views, ancient oak woodland, and peaceful countryside paths, this circular hike offers a perfect blend of nature, history, and gentle adventure.
Whether you’re a local walker or visiting the South West, this guide covers everything you need to know before tackling the Teign Gorge Circular hike; from route details and parking to terrain, difficulty, and seasonal tips. Read on to find out more!
Where Is Teign Gorge?
Teign Gorge is located on the eastern edge of Dartmoor National Park in Devon, carved by the River Teign between the villages of Drewsteignton and Christow. The gorge is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) thanks to its ancient woodland and rich wildlife.
The area feels wonderfully wild, and this hike was one of the highlights of our recent trip to Devon. I quite literally kept saying “wow” as more beautiful views kept coming in to view!
Want to read more about my stay in Devon? You can read my post on Nymetwood Treehouses HERE, and Wistman’s Wood HERE (both coming soon).
Teign Gorge Circular Walk Overview
- Distance: Approximately 7-8km
- Time: 2.5-3 hours at a steady pace
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Terrain: Woodland paths, uneven trails, steep ascents and descents
- Dog-friendly: Yes, but leads recommended near steep drops and livestock
- Best for: Confident walkers, nature lovers, photographers
This is a classic circular hike, meaning you’ll finish where you started; no transport logistics required. The route map is included below, though I recommend parking at Fingle Bridge (point 5 on this map), and starting the walk from there in reverse (i.e. 5 to 4 to 3 etc).
The Teign Gorge circular hike is moderate rather than easy. While it doesn’t require technical skills, it does involve some steep climbs, uneven and muddy paths, and narrow trails with drops to the river. If you’re comfortable with hill walking and can manage a few sustained climbs, you’ll be absolutely fine.
Parking for the Teign Gorge Walk
The most popular starting point is Fingle Bridge:
- Fingle Bridge Car Park (point 5 on the map above), post code EX6 6PW.
- Parking is FREE.
- If the carpark is full, you could instead park at Castle Drogo (point 1 on the map above), which costs £6.
- Both car park options are National Trust managed.
- Toilets available nearby in the Fingle Bridge Inn pub at the bottom of the car park by the river.
- Good access to riverside paths and hiking trails all around.
Arriving early on weekends is a good idea, especially in spring and summer, as the car park gets quite busy. We chose to walk the route in winter, and the car park had plenty of space. The trail itself was wet and muddy, but we had a great time anyway!
The Route: What to Expect
1. Fingle Bridge to Hunter’s Path
From Fingle Bridge car park, you’ll pick up the Hunter’s Path up a bridleway leaving from within the top area of the car park (don’t walk down to Fingle Bridge and the main river, you’ll come out here at the end of the walk). Climb steadily upwards through the beautiful woodland, with the sound of water down below. The path then eventually opens up out of the woodland, giving striking views out over Teign Gorge.
2. Climbing out in to the Gorge
As the woodland path emerges, you will see a footpath sign pointing left and right to the Hunter’s path. Keep left along the main path which runs along the top of the Gorge. The scenery is truly stunning – the heather, gorse and fern will add colour at any time of year.
3. Castle Drogo & Sharp Tor
Soon Castle Drogo will come in to view on the horizon. As you walk along the Hunter’s Path, ignore the first sign to Castle Drogo/Piddledown Common, but take the next right turn to the castle. It’s a National Trust property (and another Edward Lutyens gem – I’ve visited his buildings from Lindisfarne to New Delhi), and not actually a castle as it was built in the 1900s as a private estate. The interior is a maze of fascinating rooms and the gardens are stunning, with more great views out across the Gorge.
We headed up the steps to the castle, though mainly to visit the cafe for a nice cup of tea and cake! Also up this path, you will see a sign to Sharp Tor viewpoint which of course I couldn’t resist. The 360 degree views out across Dartmoor were beautiful – if a little wet!
4. Castle Drogo to Fisherman’s Path
Retrace your steps back down to the Hunter’s Path and the top of the Gorge, turning right (not back the way you came), continuing to circle around it with some incredible views down in to the valley. Eventually the path starts descending gradually, turning sharply right at Hunter’s Tor, continuing steeply downhill through woodland to a gate which will bring you to the Fisherman’s Path.
5. The Fisherman’s Path: Woodland
Out of the gate, turn left on to the road and the Fisherman’s Path. Bear left at the public footpath sign, and then left again down a track running alongside a house. You’ll then descend steeply through woodland down to the river Teign.
6. The Fisherman’s Path: Teign River
As you emerge from the woodland path with the river in front of you, turn left, so the river is on your right as you’re walking. It’s then a 2 mile walk alongside the river back to Fingle Bridge, from where you turn left back in to the car park and your starting point! The 2 mile walk is probably the most challenging part of the walk as the path has to climb up and down some “steps” across the lower reaches of Sharp Tor. In the wet these steps are very slippy and require some scrambling.
Best Time of Year to Walk Teign Gorge
We walked the Teign Gorge Circular during Winter and did find it pretty muddy and hazardous, but still perfectly do-able with a bit of extra care and attention through the climbs and descents.
- Spring: Bluebells, fresh green woodland, flowing river
- Summer: Lush scenery, but busier and occasionally humid
- Autumn: Stunning foliage and fewer crowds
- Winter: Atmospheric but muddy; take extra care!
After heavy rain, paths can become slippery, and the river may run high. We visited after flooding, and the river was super powerful and full.
Wildlife and Nature Highlights
Teign Gorge is a haven for wildlife. Keep an eye out for:
- Kingfishers and dippers along the river
- Buzzards and kestrels overhead
- Ancient oak, ash, and hazel woodland
- Ferns, lichens, and mosses covering the gorge walls
- The famous Dartmoor ponies
It’s a brilliant walk for slow, observant hikers. I was so lucky to see some Dartmoor ponies grazing up close, they are just so beautiful and I stood there for ages just watching them.
What to Bring
Important note: There is no signal along this route, so if you need to be connected – this isn’t the hike for you.
- Sturdy walking boots with good grip
- Weatherproof layers
- Water and snacks
- An OS map or photo of the route, given you won’t be able to get online to look at one
- Camera; by the end of the walk my husband was rolling his eyes as I took yet ANOTHER photo of the stunning views!!
The Teign Gorge Circular Walk is often cited as one of Devon’s finest hikes, offering a sense of remoteness, beautiful river scenery, and rewarding terrain without needing to venture deep into Dartmoor. It’s easy to see why, and we absolutely loved the walk for its striking views, variety and ease.
I often struggle with complex routes (I’m not directionally gifted), but this one was easy to follow and I didn’t stress I was lost once! If you enjoy woodland walks with character, history, and just enough challenge to feel earned, this one delivers in spades.
What do you think of the Teign River Gorge Circular hike? Have you walked it before, or would you want to if you visit Devon? Let me know in the comments below! And of course, stay safe and happy travelling!
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