The route links the South West Coast Path, the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and the Exe Estuary. It follows the estuary of the River Exe to Lympstone and then turns east over the commons and rolling hills of the East Devon AONB via Harpford, Sidbury, Farway and Colyton. It can be combined with part of the South West Coast Path National Trail to form a circular walk. There is a wide variety of landscapes: estuary, high open commons, woodlands and quiet river valleys. Walking is generally not difficult but the route does include some quite sharp climbs.

Updated route information. A revised free publication is downloadable free and also available from East Devon Tourist Information Centres as a printed booklet. Walkers may obtain a copy from any of the 100 businesses listed on the East Devon Way website. There are route alterations around Woodbury Common. The new booklet includes the re-routing to visit Woodbury Castle, an Iron Age hill-fort. Existing OS maps show the previous route.