Description
The route hugs the flat coastline with much of it being along the sea wall exposed to the English Channel, the flood defensive wall along the tidal estuary or the tow path alongside the canal. It shadows the tracks of the Exe Estuary Trail and the South West Coast Path. Surfaces are generally level, wide, smooth-surfaced, well signed and accessible to both walkers and wheels. Inevitably, therefore, it is very popular. It also runs, for stretches, parallel to the principal coast road and the railway and one is rarely away from noise, traffic pollution and congestion before clearing Starcross. Food and toilet facilities are available in Dawlish Warren and Starcross and several pubs offering food are ‘en route’. Unquestionably it is the most direct and easiest route between the two towns and there is no alternative without significantly adding to the mileage. It meets all Slow Route criteria for inclusion. However, there are stretches which may be considered inappropriate by some mobility users and if Topsham Ferry is not operating it needs to be recognised that a further 1.5 – 3km will have to be walked to reach a main road and bus stop.
Temporary Warning valid until 07 September 2022
Access to the sea wall and beach are currently closed at Dawlish Station as part of the British Rail Resilience Project to strengthen sea defences. This is likely to remain the case until 07 September 2022. This alternative short detour is required at the start:
Follow the shared cycle/pedestrian way up broad steps from Richmond Place, and the footpath skirting Lanherne sheltered accommodation. Immediately on joining the A379 turn right down past Coastguard Cottages and cross the railway bridge to join the Coast Path.
Further route details are available in the route review
The route hugs the flat coastline with much of it being along the sea wall exposed to the English Channel, the flood defensive wall along the tidal estuary or the tow path alongside the canal. It shadows the tracks of the Exe Estuary Trail and the South West Coast Path. Surfaces are generally level, wide, smooth-surfaced, well signed and accessible to both walkers and wheels. Inevitably, therefore, it is very popular. It also runs, for stretches, parallel to the principal coast road and the railway and one is rarely away from noise, traffic pollution and congestion before clearing Starcross. Food and toilet facilities are available in Dawlish Warren and Starcross and several pubs offering food are ‘en route’. Unquestionably it is the most direct and easiest route between the two towns and there is no alternative without significantly adding to the mileage. It meets all Slow Route criteria for inclusion. However, there are stretches which may be considered inappropriate by some mobility users and if Topsham Ferry is not operating it needs to be recognised that a further 1.5 – 3km will have to be walked to reach a main road and bus stop.
Temporary Warning valid until 07 September 2022
Access to the sea wall and beach are currently closed at Dawlish Station as part of the British Rail Resilience Project to strengthen sea defences. This is likely to remain the case until 07 September 2022. This alternative short detour is required at the start:
Follow the shared cycle/pedestrian way up broad steps from Richmond Place, and the footpath skirting Lanherne sheltered accommodation. Immediately on joining the A379 turn right down past Coastguard Cottages and cross the railway bridge to join the Coast Path.
Further route details are available in the route review
Status
This route has been reviewed by 4 people.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Dawtop three
Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.
Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 4
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (4)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 6
Surveys
What is this route like?
Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.
Grade 2X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
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Description | Note | ||
Grade 2: Mostly smooth and compacted surfaces, but there may be some loose gravel, muddy patches or cobbles. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys. | ||
Full grading description |
Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.
Survey Photos
Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
Narrowest part of path: no data
The steepest uphill gradient East: no data
The steepest uphill gradient West: no data
The steepest camber: no data
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Very clear (1)
Successfully completed
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Recommended by an expert
We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.
Terrain
We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.
There is no data on how much of this route is on roads
There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night
60.0% of the route is paved (1)
There is no data on muddiness
There is no data on rough ground
There is no data on long grass
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1 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Dawlish
Grid Ref
SX9639076670
Lat / Lon
50.58053° / -3.46477°
Easting / Northing
296,390E / 76,670N
What3Words
flippers.grove.objective
Topsham
Grid Ref
SX9666288361
Lat / Lon
50.68568° / -3.46419°
Easting / Northing
296,662E / 88,361N
What3Words
riding.couple.expect
Dawlish | |
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Grid Ref | SX9639076670 |
Lat / Lon | 50.58053° / -3.46477° |
Easting / Northing | 296,390E / 76,670N |
What3Words | flippers.grove.objective |
Topsham | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SX9666288361 |
Lat / Lon | 50.68568° / -3.46419° |
Easting / Northing | 296,662E / 88,361N |
What3Words | riding.couple.expect |
Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.
reviews
Tim Ryan
06 Nov 2023The route along the sea wall is closed again, until November 23rd. It is however open between Dawlish station and the footbridge at SX 97087 77365. From here to the footbridge at SX 97960 78332 the footpath is closed temporarily. the alternative Coast Path route is signed and takes the route above the cliffs between the two footbridges. There is substantial road walking which is mostly paved through Dawlish Warren. On the day I walked the route in early November after days of heavy rain the road north of Starcross was closed, as it was flooded. There is no pavement on this road. The water was quite deep. I had to take my shoes and socks off, roll up my trousers and wade through. However these were exceptional circumstances.
Todd S
26 Aug 2023A flat route which can be walked all year round.
Lovely scenery and refreshments on route.
Just check out ferry times as they don’t operate out of season.
I’d walk this route again and suggest it to others.
It’s very safe and accessible for all level of walkers.
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Julie squire
10 Mar 2023Very enjoyable walk.
Scenery is stunning.
A Flat, easy moderate walk.
Toilets and refreshments on route.
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Tony Leigh
09 Jun 2022DawTop 3 divides easily into 3 stages. Note: All distances in brackets are approximate and included for guidance only. These route distances measure from the start at Dawlish Station - that is they display the cumulative distance walked since leaving Dawlish Station.
Stage 1 Dawlish Station to Starcross Station 6.5k
This section hugs the coast as close as possible using the SW Coast Path to Dawlish Warren and Dawlish Warren Road to Cockwood before finishing along the A379 to Starcross.
a) From Dawlish Station pass under the viaduct and turn left along the seawall if accessible or use the temporary alternative detailed in the Route Description.
b) Continue along the seawall (2.3km) and cross the railway at the Dawlish Warren footbridge.
c) After a further 110m heading inland, and by St Mary’s Church Hall, join the shared cycle/pedestrian bridle way and follow it into Dawlish Warren.
d) Continue through Dawlish Warren (signposted “Cockwood and Starcross”) escaping left opposite Dawlish Sands Caravan Park (3.3km) onto the signposted shared cycle/pedestrian bridle way which runs parallel to the road and crosses it on one occasion (3.76km). This leads onto a foot-pathed stretch of the road to Cockwood Harbour (4.9km) around which there is no footpath but traffic is generally very aware of, and considerate towards, pedestrians.
e) Cross the A379 at the pedestrian controlled traffic lights to join a further shared cycle/pedestrian way to Starcross.
f) Keep to the left-side narrow pavement through Starcross until the pedestrian controlled traffic lights opposite the station. Cross the A379 and join the signposted footpath from the Atmospheric Railway pub carpark (6.5km) heading north parallel to the river.
Stage 2 Starcross to Topsham Ferry 6.6k
After the congestion and traffic pollution this stretch brings elements of tranquility and pastoral charm as it passes between the Powderham deer park and the railway and River Exe, and then onwards from Powderham Church along the ship canal towpath until reaching the ferry departure point opposite Topsham on the other bank.
a) Stay with the obvious track, through a public carpark and join the shared (vehicle/cycle/pedestrian) minor road (20mph) between the Powderham Estate and the railway line and River Exe. Caution: the speed limit and priority to pedestrians is rarely observed by either vehicles or cyclists.
b) Just before Powderham Church (8.9km) take the track right signposted “Exe Estuary Trail and Coast Path”, also a shared cycle/pedestrian way.
c) Between the bridge and Turf Lock (10.95km) is an option for walkers only to use the compressed small stone and gravel seawall path. Wheels should remain on the tarmacadam shared track. (Photo)
d) Beyond Turf Lock and its hotel (seasonal) (Photos) a track exists on either bank but it is strongly recommended to use the west bank which is wider and well-maintained. The east bank can be overgrown, ill-defined in stretches, and slippery when damp.
e) The Exminster Marshes to your left are an important SSI managed by the RSPB.
f) The Topsham Ferry Landing is clearly identified (12.82km). (Photos)
Stage 3 Topsham Ferry to Topsham Station 700m (of which walking 500m)
The ferry is a small, landing craft type vessel which takes just a couple of minutes to cross to Topsham carrying pedestrians, pedal cycles and other wheels for a modest charge. It is seasonal and also affected by tidal state. Current service times are displayed on a noticeboard. You are strongly advised to factor in, and check, the operating timetable when planning this walk. (Google: Topsham Ferry). (Photos)
a) Follow Ferry Road, Follett Road and Station Road to arrive at Topsham Station.
Ferry not operating?
You will need to continue walking to the A379.
Shortest (1½-2km) is to join at the Exminster/A379 roundabout (bus stop for Dawlish or Counteswear) by retracing your steps to take Station Road, a narrow, speed-humped, 10mph access road which allows vehicular access to the canal for launching canoes or paddle boards. (Note: the useful short cut, a signed public footpath opposite the Topsham ferry landing, and also shown on the OS map, is blocked-off and in fact inaccessible.
Rather longer (3km) is to continue on the Exe Estuary Trail/SW Coast Path passing under the M5. A metalled service track exits left to Sannerville Way (the A379) and a bus stop OR continue to follow the main canal path to exit onto the A379 at the swing bridge (3km) with a relatively short walk to Countess Wear.
A No.2 or 2B bus will take you from Exminster to Countess Wear roundabout: a No.57 will take you from Countess Wear to Topsham.
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