In our continuing series on the best off-road running routes in Britain, we head to the south west

Distance: 16 miles (25km)
Start: The Quay, Exeter EX2 4AN
Finish: Teignmouth seafront
Terrain: Trail, coast path, road, path
Toughness: Easy to moderate
Ascent: 231 metres
Navigation: Easy
Good for: Coast, families, wildlife
Lat long / Grid ref of start: 50.7171, -3.5305 / SX9204691947

This run follows the Exe from bustling Exeter to Dawlish.

Pleasant canalside running becomes a glorious, winding pathway with stunning estuarine views, ending in an exciting run along the sea wall in Teignmouth.

From Exeter quay on the south side of river, follow the canal towpath south east past the Double Locks pub.

Cross the main road at the pedestrian crossing and continue along the right side of canal to Turf Locks pub.

Follow the estuary to the pedestrian level crossing (caution: fast, frequent trains) and continue through Starcross and Dawlish before following the coast path signs to Teignmouth.

Catch a train ride along Brunel’s masterpiece back to Exeter.

» Jen and Sim Benson are runners, writers and adventurers. This route is from their book, Wild Running: 150 Great Adventures on the Trails and Fells of Britain (RRP £16.99, Wild Things Publishing), which is the essential guidebook for those who love to run and who dream of exploring Britain’s spectacular mountains, forests and coastal trails. wildrunning.net