Cruise the Devon coast path east of Sidmouth and see fields of donkeys on this scenic circle, which is strenuous in parts. It's about 7.25miles / four hours walking. Use the map Explorer 115 Exmouth & Sidmouth, ref: 147 888. Park in Salcombe Regis village, about two miles east of Sidmouth. It is just off the A3052 coastal road from Sidford to Seaton. Park in the church car park where walkers are welcomed, but please leave a donation.

CLIFFTOPS, a pebbly beach, soft Devon countryside, the Jurassic coastline, picturesque cottages and fields of donkeys make this a very varied and beautiful circle.

There is one painful hill along the coast, and a moderate one later, but otherwise the going is easy.

The circle starts from Salcombe Regis village and calls in at a deservedly popular pub on the edge of Branscombe, at Street. Then you can have tea at the Donkey Sanctuary near the end.

The route uses the coastal path as well as quiet lanes.

Generally, it is dry underfoot, suitable for all seasons and ideal for the dog.

Allow plenty of extra time for enjoying the coastline, beach, pub and sanctuary.

START

Walk up through the churchyard via the gate from the car park or turn right up the lane.

Go past the church and turn right up the lane, past village cottages. At the top, continue on.

1. FARM DRIVE

Turn right on the farm drive marked as a footpath towards Lincombe and the coast path. You will soon start to see the sea and as the track bends, continue straight on between hedges. Reach a fork of paths by the National Trust's Lincombe sign.

2. LINCOMBE

Go left through a kissing gate and you will soon reach a "Welcome to Lincombe" board. Continue ahead on the coastal path and you'll pass a flint area on your left which is a day mark used by shipping. Go through bumpy land – this is the results of earlier quarrying.

Follow the yellow arrows and drop down steps to a T-junction. Turn right and the coastal path leads you down through woodland, and then down the edge of a field. Go down in the corner, go right and steeply down on to the pebbly beach at Weston Mouth.

3. WESTON MOUTH

Turn left along the beach – it's a good place for a rest before the steep climb! After only a few yards, turn up left again still following the coastal path. A challenging climb up the cliffs now follows on the other side of the stream and then up to the top.

4. WESTON CLIFF

Here on Weston Cliff (at 162m above sea level) is a well-sited bench seat to enjoy the views. It is now flat, high coastal walking for well over 1.75 miles. On the way, pass Weston Wildflower Meadow. Shortly after this the path veers away from the cliff edge and bears across a field.

5. SMALL VALLEY

Go across a small valley and continue up the other side and through another kissing gate. Carry straight on, parallel with the coast, down the centre of a field. Pass an old Romany van in a small garden which is just back from the cliff edge. Continue along in the direction of Branscombe Mouth, ignoring side-turns at two marker posts. Soon, over on your left, you pass the low outer banks of old Berry Camp fort. Reach a new wooden seat on the cliff edge and the path soon bears away and drops down into a valley. Turn left, still towards Branscombe Mouth, and then leave the coastal path and follow the signs to Fountain Head. Make sure you don't miss the right turn, which is still signed to Fountain Head. Go through woodland.

6. FOUNTAIN HEAD

You eventually drop down to the picturesque hamlet of Street, on the edge of Branscombe, and the Fountain Head Inn, which probably dates back to the 14th century. Part of the pub used to be a forge. It has a tempting menu and is comfortable, both inside and out.

Turn left on the lane from the inn and pass a line of houses in Cotte (unmarked).

7. FOOTPATH

Take the first footpath on the right – it's a bit of a squeeze at the start – alongside a house. It then climbs steeply and winds its way up. Reach a field and turn up right and then bear across and over to the right fence.

Cross a stile and turn left with the hedge on your left. Cross another stile and continue on across a long narrow field, which is sometimes used as an airstrip, to one more stile on to the very quiet narrow high-hedged Northern Lane.

8. NORTHERN LANE

Turn left. After half a mile, cross a road and continue on for well over another half a mile until you join up with the road that leads down to Branscombe. Continue on for a few more minutes in the same direction.

9. LANE

Take the first lane on your left, signed to Higher Coxes Farm. Reach a junction and turn right, shortly coming into the hamlet of Weston.

10. WESTON

Go through and turn left. This is signed to the Stones Family Park. On the corner as you turn is a small rest area with seats. Pass the family park and pub, being renovated this winter (2008/9). You will begin to see donkeys in the field and then arrive at the renowned Donkey Sanctuary.

11. DONKEY SANCTUARY

Before you reach the entrance to the sanctuary, turn left on the fenced footpath down the side of one of the fields, signed to Weston Mouth. There are gates to negotiate on the way. Turn right half- way down over a stile following the footpath towards Salcombe Regis and climb up to the main buildings of the Sanctuary.

To continue our circle, turn up left, walking on a grassy swathe alongside another donkey field parallel with the main drive, and passing the car park over on your right. Look back as you go and see the donkey designed in chalk on the side of one of the fields.

At the top, cross the lane and turn left for a yard or two.

12. FIELDS

Turn right through a gate following the footpath arrow. This next section is quite well marked, passing fields of donkeys, and leading back to the lane above Salcombe Regis where you were earlier. Follow the footpath through an avenue of fairly young memorial trees. Go through a gate and continue on, with a grassy bank or bund on your right. And as you carry on pass many more grazing donkeys.

At the end, cross a stile and go left over another stile signed to Salcombe Regis. Once over it, immediately turn right (don't continue on) with the hedge on your right. In the corner, cross a marked stile and maintain direction through another field.

After crossing a stile in the corner, head diagonally across the next field. A stile in the far corner leads on o the lane. Turn right, retracing your steps back into the village.

The Fountain Head is open daily. Tel: 01297 680359 for more information.