Exeter Green Circle Walk

The Exeter Green Circle is a twelve mile walk that provides a great walking experience within the boundaries of Exeter - from green countryside valley parks to the pavements of quiet leafy suburbs.

-------- The walk is made up of the following five sections --------

* The Alphin Brook Walk (about three miles) - follows the valley of the Alphin Brook. The upper section of the brook flows through rich agricultural land separated from the city by a ridge of hills. As it reaches the Exe valley the brook is tamed in a modern channel to prevent it flooding the old village of Alphington and its modern neighbour the industrial estate of Marsh Barton. Discover views and locations that are all part of Exeter but which often seem miles from a city.

* The Hoopern Valley Walk (a little over two miles) - winds close to the City Wall and through the centre of St David's revealing the now dry valley under the Iron Bridge. Elsewhere it follows parts of the picturesque Hoopern Valley through the University of Exeter's Streatham Estate with its arboretum. Near the high point of the route, there are views to the sea in one direction and Dartmoor in another over Duryard Valley Park.

* The Ludwell Valley Walk (almost three miles) - explores the Riverside Valley Park, passing over the historic Exeter Ship Canal and the River Exe with its weirs and former mills. In contrast through the Ludwell Valley Park the walk follows the quiet Northbrook overlooked by sloping meadows. Quiet roads and lanes link Wonford and Whipton with names that echo the former rural nature of the area such as Sweetbrier Lane and Woodwater Lane.

* The Mincinglake Walk (a little over two miles) - follows Mincinglake stream between its source in the rolling farmland north of Sylvania Park and on to the former village of Whipton. The walk includes Mincinglake Valley Park, a former landfill site, now an attractive countryside park with butterfly-rich flower meadows. There are superb views down the Exe estuary to the sea from viewpoints near the route in the Valley Park.

* The Redhills Walk (about two and a half miles) - explores the green areas and viewpoints in Redhills and the western fringes of Exeter. There are one or two steep climbs between the River Exe flood plain, with its allotments and playing fields, and these leafy hills. The Millers Crossing bridge over the Exe is one of the highlights of the walk, especially when the river is high.

Thanks to a joint initiative between Exeter City Council, Great Western Railway, the Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon County Council and the University of Exeter, the Green Circle was relaunched in September 2025 as part of the national Railway 200 celebrations, spotlighting the synergy between sustainable transport and green spaces.

Key railway stations - Exeter St Davids, Marsh Barton, and Polsloe Bridge – have been transformed into gateways to green adventure, with new map and information boards installed showing the route to the Green Circle, and highlighting points of interest along each section of the route.

Find out more at: Exeter Green Circle - Visit Exeter