South West walks help hikers 'forget worries'

Avid walkers say routes in the South West help them "disconnect from a busy world" - and the region is full of hidden gems off the well-trodden path.

Walking charity the Ramblers recently announced a stretch of the 630-mile (1,015km) South West Coast Path between Bude to Westward Ho! had been named as Britain's favourite path for 2025.

Jack Cornish, head of paths at the Ramblers, said he could see why the section won, describing it as "one of the jewels of the crown of the paths we have got in Britain".

Following the announcement, walking and hiking groups said the variety offered in the region provided something for everyone, whether they be well-known paths or routes far away from the crowds of everyday life.

Kelly Bennett runs Walk Kernow which offers Nordic walking activities across the county.

She said Nordic walking - which uses specially designed poles - offered a whole body exercise which engaged a walker's upper body and also supported joints and improved posture.

Ms Bennett said the benefits walking in general can have on mental health was positive as it helped people "forget about their worries".

Kelly Bennett said a route which Walk Kernow enjoyed was St Michael's Way

Routes Ms Bennett said she would recommend included Trelissick Gardens and a walk along the Lizard peninsula coast from Coverack to St Keverne.

Ms Bennett added Land's End was her personal favourite walking area as the ruggedness of the sea, cliffs and grass growing could "take your breath away".

Another route Ms Bennett said had stunning views was St Michael's Way, which formed part of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail.

"We get the train to St Ives and then walk over the top and as you come down, you see St Michael's Mount in the distance," Ms Bennett said.

North Devon Ramblers members said Malmsmead on Exmoor had good walking options

Gemma Canham, chair of the North Devon Ramblers, said walks could help people "disconnect from a busy world".

She said there was a huge variety of good walks across Devon, including a route from Bideford which runs along the coast heading towards Abbotsham.

Ms Canham said her rambling group also loved Exmoor, with walks around Horner Wood, Alderman's Barrow to Badgworthy Water, the Macmillan Way through The Chains and any route starting in Malmsmead or the Doone Valley proving popular.

Ms Canham added walks on Dartmoor including Postbridge to Dunnabridge Pound and a route at Belstone Tor were enjoyed by the ramblers.

She said accessibility was the most important factor to consider when heading out.

"My favourite walk is the walk I can do out of my front door and I think that everybody's favourite walk should be the walk they can do out of their front door," Ms Canham said.

Dartmoor walks such as Postbridge to Dunnabridge Pound have proven to be popular with walking groups including North Devon Ramblers

John Alden set up the iWalk Cornwall app to help people find different circular and guided routes in the county.

He said walking was a brilliant way to find and look around parts of Cornwall and get a sense if the region's history.

Mr Alden said: "Luxulyan Valley and Minions to Caradon Hill are two really nice examples where many remains of Cornwall's mining history still are present and have been reclaimed by nature."

He added another of his favourite walks went from Porthcurno to Gwennap Head because of the "towering granite cliffs" which overlook Runnelstone Reef.

"The views from the steps to the Minack Theatre are also stunning," Mr Alden said.

John Alden from iWalk Cornwall said the county had lots of routes which allowed people to get in touch with nature and local history

Exeter resident Gavin Robbins, who regularly goes on walks with his partner Holly Jackman, said they found the walks helped them in many way.

"Getting out into nature really does benefit our mental health," Mr Robbins said.

"It also creates a bit of time and space for us to enjoy each other's company without the pressures of everyday life.

"For example, it's hard to check phones when you're walking, and we tend to have some of our best conversations and our best moments when we are out and about walking."

Holly Jackman (left) and Gavin Robbins said going on walks allowed them to enjoy each other's company

Mr Robbins said they went on a variety of routes, but one he and Ms Jackman really enjoyed was a walk starting in Manaton on Dartmoor.

He said the route went over Bowerman's Nose and up to Hound Tor, and then back to Manaton via Becky Falls and the village of Water.

He said the walk offered fantastic views and a wide range of geology to look at, along with having a nice pub to stop off at and a cake stall at the end in Manaton.

Mr Robbins added his main advice for people who wanted to go out and do more walks was to buy a guidebook with routes in it and comfortable footwear.