Exe Estuary Trail – Exe Estuary Trail loop from Topsham

Bike touring routes & trails

Exe Estuary Trail – Exe Estuary Trail loop from Topsham

Moderate

5.0

(1)

riders

Exe Estuary Trail – Exe Estuary Trail loop from Topsham

02:29

41.1km

220m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The route includes a crossing by ferry. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 20, 2026

This route includes a ferry crossing

Tips

Includes a ferry crossing

Check ferry timetable.

After 38.8 km for 179 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

805 m

Exminster Marshes

Nature Reserve

3.38 km

Exeter Ship Canal

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

Exeter Ship Canal is a canal leading from (and beside) the River Exe to Exeter Quay in the city of Exeter, Devon.

It was first constructed in the 1560s and was the first canal to be built in Britain since Roman times. It was also the first canal in England to use the pound lock. The canal was built to bypass the weirs that had been erected on the river by the Countess of Devon and later by the Earls of Devon, which prevented ships from reaching Exeter and forced them to unload at Topsham.

The canal was enlarged and extended several times over the centuries and reached its present form in the 1830s. The canal basin was also built at that time and became a busy port with warehouses and workshops.

Today, the canal is mainly used for leisure activities such as boating, walking and cycling. You can follow the Exe Estuary Trail alongside the canal and enjoy the scenic views of the river and the countryside.

Tip by

8.71 km

Exeter Quayside

Highlight • Cafe

lots to do along the Quay, saw ducks, swans great places to eat and drink, there are many different routes you can stay on a path or walk through mud path. wheelchair friendly the Quay got lots of history and gift shops

Tip by

30.9 km

Exe Estuary Trail

Highlight • Viewpoint

The estuary is also a popular destination for sailing, kayaking, birdwatching and cycling along the Exe Estuary Trail

Tip by

31.9 km

Boardwalks at the Exe Estuary

Highlight • Cycleway

Nice quality wooden boardwalk

Translated by Google •

Tip by

32.4 km

Viewpoint

33.8 km

Exe Estuary Trail boardwalk

Highlight • Cycleway

The Exe Estuary Trail is a 22.5-mile (36-km), mainly flat cycle route and walkway that runs around the entire Exe Estuary linking Exmouth, Exeter and Dawlish, with fantastic views along the River Exe. The trail is part of the National Cycle Network Route 2 and is predominantly off-road. It passes through some beautiful riverside towns and villages steeped in maritime history, such as Topsham and Lympstone. The trail also offers a great opportunity to see the diverse and plentiful wildlife that inhabits the estuary, such as birds, fish and seals.

Tip by

34.2 km

View over the Exe Estuary

Highlight • River

Official viewpoint over the Exe estuary

Tip by

37.0 km

Exe Estuary Trail

Highlight • Trail

Lovely bit of traffic-free path between Topsham and Exton on the way to Exmouth seafront.

Well surfaced and ideal for any type of bike as well as walkers and runners. Be mindful of other users, especially when it's busier at the weekends and holidays.

Tip by

37.5 km

Goosemoor Nature Reserve

Nature Reserve

38.4 km

Topsham Town Centre

Highlight • Historical Site

Topsham is a town in Devon, England, located on the east side of the River Exe, between Exeter and Exmouth. It has a rich maritime history and was once a thriving port and shipbuilding centre. Topsham has a cosmopolitan atmosphere with an eclectic cluster of specialist shops and fine restaurants, plus wonderful sunsets above the estuary. You can visit the Topsham Museum, which is housed in an elegant 17th century Dutch-style merchant house and displays interesting exhibitions about the town’s history and culture. You can also enjoy the nature and wildlife of the Exe Estuary Trail, which passes by the Bowling Green and Goosemoor Nature Reserve.

Tip by

41.1 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types