South Devon Adventure Walking Tour: Coastal Paths & Seals

Seals live in the cove you'll walk to, not behind glass.

A two-hour guided walking tour of South Devon's UNESCO Geopark combines coastal paths and woodland trails with a local guide who shares geology and local stories. The walk includes seal spotting at a secluded cove and moderate-paced exploration of wildlife habitats, starting from a village with nearby amenities. Children from age 4 are welcome. The guide speaks English.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore South Devon coastal and woodland trails

• Meet in picturesque village
• Walk along coastal paths
• Spot wild seals at secluded cove
• Explore woodland trails
• Listen to local stories and geology talks

The Experience

The walk covers moderate-difficulty terrain along coast paths and through woodland, moving at a pace that lets you stop and listen to the geology talks woven through the route. A local guide leads the group through the Geopark, pointing out seals in their natural habitat at a secluded cove and explaining the landscape's formation and the myths attached to it. The starting point sits in a picturesque village, so you can grab a coffee or a meal before or after without needing to travel elsewhere.

What makes this different from a standard coastal stroll is the guide's knowledge of the area (the stories, the wildlife behavior, the rock formations) delivered as you walk rather than from a visitor center. You're moving through the landscape while learning it, not standing still listening to a talk. The seal watching happens at the cove itself, where the animals live year-round, so sightings depend on the day and the tide, but the guide knows the best times and spots.

Bring water and a snack. The walk is two hours and there are no shops along the route. Service animals are welcome. The nearby public transportation options mean you don't need a car to reach the meeting point, though parking is available in the village if you drive.

What’s included

• Guided walk led by a local guide in English.
• geology talks and stories about South Devon's UNESCO Geopark.
• seal spotting at a secluded cove.
• access to coastal paths and woodland trails.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Rock Solid Coasteering

Is this one for you?The walk moves at a moderate pace over two hours with stops for wildlife spotting and talks, so it suits walkers who want to explore without rushing but need a reasonable level of fitness to keep up on uneven coastal and woodland terrain.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How difficult is the walking on this tour?

The walk is moderate difficulty, following coastal paths and woodland trails without scrambling or steep climbs. It suits nature enthusiasts with a reasonable level of fitness. The pace allows for stops to look at wildlife and listen to geology talks.

Will I definitely see seals on this walk?

The tour visits a secluded cove where seals live, and the guide knows the best times and conditions for spotting them. Sightings depend on the tide and the day, but the cove is their habitat, so encounters are common rather than guaranteed.

What's included in the two hours?

The guided walk itself and the guide's stories about the local geology, wildlife and myths of South Devon are included. You'll need to bring your own water and snack. Cafes and pubs are in the village where the walk starts.

Can I bring my child on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 4. The moderate pace and the two-hour duration suit younger walkers, though they should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain and keeping up with the group.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the meeting point?

The meeting point is in a village with public transportation options nearby, so you can reach it without a car. If you drive, parking is available in the village.