Walking Routes

Walking Routes - a compilation of eight walks on Dartmoor

Dartmoor National Park is a great place for walking with a variety of landscapes and vistas.

The Dartmoor Walks booklet contains a selection of walks to suit.

For linear walks, go to the Self guided bus walks section.

When the weather takes a turn for the worse, try our wet weather walks.

If you fancy learning about the landscape and its fascinating history, join one of the many Guided Walks.

Welcome to walking on Dartmoor. Walking is probably one of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of Dartmoor National Park. On foot, you can explore areas that you might not otherwise know existed. This booklet has been compiled to offer a range of walking opportunities through stunning Dartmoor scenery.

Inside you will find a selection of self-guided bus walks, which have been planned so that you can catch a bus to the start of the route and walk back, exploring places of interest along the way.

Bearing in mind the changeable Dartmoor weather, we have also included some wet weather walks to enable you to still get out for a walk, but in a more sheltered environment (woodlands, river valleys, towns and villages) causing less discomfort for you and less erosion for Dartmoor.

Our guided walks, run throughout the year, giving you the opportunity to learn more about Dartmoor and its fascinating cultural heritage, wildlife and landscape. By catching the bus to the start point of the guided walk and showing your ticket to the guide, you will qualify for a free walk. Full details of the walks programme can be found in the free Dartmoor Visitor newspaper, available from Information Centres.

It is suggested that the maps and route directions presented here are used in conjunction with the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 Dartmoor map.

In addition to the walks accessible by bus, you can also enjoy linear walks in the Tamar Valley and from Okehampton, when you combine your walk with a train journey. Read information about the Tamar Valley Line, Dartmoor Railway Line at Okehampton and Granite Way.

Walking Advice

The walks include a variety of terrain and you may encounter muddy paths and occasional rocky outcrops, so be sure to wear stout footwear with good ankle support, and always carry waterproof clothing and refreshments.

Please note that all linear measurements contained in this booklet are approximate. Be aware of your rights and responsibilities on public rights of way - to help you we have included the Countryside Code on this web site..

Bus Services

There is plenty of information available to help you get the most out of Dartmoor without using the car - pick up a copy of the Discovery Guide to Dartmoor by Bus and Train from National Park Authority Information Centres.

Look out for the Dartmoor Sunday Rover leaflets, providing suggested itineraries to help you travel around Dartmoor by bus on any Sunday for just £5.

When using public transport, it is advisable to check bus times in advance. For details of all public transport services throughout the South West, telephone Traveline 0870 608 2 608

Walk 1 - Bus Walk: Sharpitor to Princetown

A diagram of Walk 1
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Length (approx): 5.5 miles (8.5 kms)
Estimated Walk Time: 2 1/2 hours
Start Point: Sharpitor Car Park OS Grid Ref SX 561 707
Public Transport: 82, 98, 172* (* summer only)
Parking: High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown (car park charges apply)

A walk along the dismantled Great Western Railway (GWR), crossing open moorland; firm underfoot with gentle gradients.

This walk follows part of the route of the first railway to Princetown. The railway covered a distance of 25 miles (40 km) and was opened in 1823 as a horse-drawn tramway, transporting granite extracted from the quarries. The GWR branch for steam trains opened in 1883, following the route of the old tramway and serviced the granite trade and tourists. The line was finally closed in 1956.

Starting from Princetown’s High Moorland Visitor Centre, catch the 82 bus from the Fox Tor Cafe bus stop. Ask the driver to stop at Sharpitor ‘bottom car park’. From the bus stop at Sharpitor, follow the grassy path at the top corner of the car park leading north west, away from the road. As the track descends you will see the Walkham Valley ahead and to your left, and Ingra Tor to your right. After 0.5 mile (1 km), the track joins the railway line; turn right and walk along this towards Ingra Tor.

As you walk around the track to the north of Ingra Tor it is worth exploring the old quarry, identifiable by a waste heap beside the line.

Continue on the railway, passing beneath a bridge (note the remains of a medieval settlement alongside the line). Where the line bears to the left, you can take a short cut, missing out the King’s Tor loop, by taking the track that ascends steeply to your right (opposite a field gate). If you decide to continue on the main route, you will notice a slight gradient as the track climbs up to King’s Tor. As you pass Swelltor Quarries, look out for a row of granite corbels, originally cut for London Bridge but still lying beside the line.

Continue on the main track around King’s Tor. On emerging from the cutting, you will see Merrivale Quarry in the distance to your left. The large clump of trees in the distance, now sheltering a car park, was once the site of Foggintor School. This served the communities working the various granite quarries in the area. At a distance of 0.5 mile (1 km) from the top of King’s Tor loop, you will see a turning on your left to Foggintor Quarries. At this point the track, used by those who chose the short cut, comes up to your right. Continue along the main track for a further 1 mile (1.5 km) to reach the edge of Princetown. Follow signposts for the Tyrwhitt Trail back to Princetown.

If you would like to find out more about the things you have seen on the walk, call in at the High Moorland Visitor Centre.

Walk 2 - Bus Walk: Teign Gorge

Diagram of Walk 2
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Chagford to Fingle Bridge

Length (approx): 4 miles (6.5 kms)
Estimated Walk Time: 2 hours
Start Point: Chagford Square
OS Grid Ref SX 701 875
Public Transport: 173
Parking: Fingle Bridge (free) (then a short walk to Drewsteignton square to bus stop)

This walk follows the River Teign, from Chagford to Fingle Bridge, then climbs up through young oak woods and farmland to the village of Drewsteignton. Look carefully on this walk and you may see some of the famous granite sculptures created by Peter Randall-Page.

Starting from Drewsteignton Square, catch the 173 bus to Chagford. From Chagford square turn right, then right again, down Mill Street. At Factory Cross turn right and pass over Chagford Bridge. Immediately after the bridge turn right along the public footpath.

At Rushford Bridge, turn left and follow the road to Rushford Bridge Farm. Just past Chagford swimming pool turn right, down the public footpath, to Drewsteignton and Fingle. Continue to follow the river. Where the footpath divides, continue alongside the river, following the path to the ‘Road at Dogmarsh Bridge’.

At the road go straight across and follow the public footpath to ‘Fingle Bridge, Drewsteignton and road near Castle Drogo’. You are now in the fields where Chagford Show is held annually in August. Continue to follow the river. If you look up to your left you will get a glimpse of Castle Drogo.

At the end of the fields pass over the footbridge and continue to walk down river. Where the path divides, keep straight on, following the ‘Fisherman’s Path public footpath to Fingle Bridge’. At Fingle Bridge turn left along the road to the ‘Hunter’s Path’. After approximately 55 yards (50 metres) turn sharp left along the ‘Hunter’s Path - Bridleway to road near Castle Drogo and Drewsteignton (indirect)’. Follow this path steeply up through beautiful oak woods. Looking back you will be able to see the round topped mound of Prestonbury Castle (hill fort) directly behind you. Continue to climb steeply. When you rise clear of the trees you will have beautiful views towards Gidleigh and Throwleigh Commons.

When you come to a T-junction, turn right, along the ‘Hunter’s Path to Drewsteignton’. Where the path divides again, on the edge of the conifer plantation, go straight on. Following the path, along the edge of the plantation, you will see glimpses of Drewsteignton, across the valley to your right.

Where the path divides, keep right down the track and when it divides again, keep straight on to Drewsteignton. Take a look at the sculpture by Peter Randall-Page standing in the stream that crosses the path. This section can be quite muddy in winter.

When you come to a T-junction, turn right and follow the ‘Public Bridlepath to Drewsteignton.'

At the road turn right.

Walk 3 - Bus Walk: West Devon Way

Diagram of Walk 3
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Sourton to Okehampton

Length (approx): 5.6 miles (9 kms)
Estimated Walk Time: 2 hours
Start Point: Highway Inn, Sourton
OS Grid Ref SX 534 903
Public Transport: 187 (Sundays) 86, 118 (Summer Sundays)
Parking: Okehampton town centre car parks (car park charges apply)

Moorland, tracks, woodland and a golf course are all incorporated into this varied walk.

Starting in Okehampton, catch the 187 bus from West Street. Get off the bus at the Highwayman Inn, Sourton, and take the track away from the main road opposite the pub. Go uphill past the church, through the gate and, keeping the wall on the left, follow the track on to the moor. Continue straight on following the track through a shallow cutting to reach a crossroads of paths. Turn left and follow the path roughly parallel to the stone wall on your left.

On a clear day, the views from this path are superb - a large area of west and north west Devon is visible, and even the edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. Continue on the path, which is sometimes a little faint, ignoring side paths. When the path approaches another wall, it bears to the right to reach a distinctive, conical-shaped rock. Turn left, go through the gap in the stone wall, next to the upright, granite post (not through the wooden gate). Follow the stone wall, keeping it to your right, to a gate by a clump of trees. Go through the gate and follow the track ahead (reputedly part of the main route between Okehampton and Tavistock in medieval times). Keep on this route, passing through two more gates. This ancient route, the eastern end of which is surfaced, descends to a junction by an old railway bridge.

The lane to the right leads to scenic Meldon Reservoir, but the route to Okehampton continues ahead, under the bridge. At the hamlet of Meldon, turn right to Meldon Farm, past the village hall. Pass the farm and go through the gate into a lane. Soon the lane bears to the right; follow the signed public footpath. Descend the slope to a wooden gate, follow the path down, into the West Okement River Valley, and cross the river by a footbridge. Take the path to the left, alongside the river. At the main road, follow the path as it bends round to the right, keeping the A30 on your left, to emerge at a metalled road.

Take the track leaving the road to the right, just beyond the bridge. Follow waymarks for ‘West Devon Way’ then follow the fence to arrive at Okehampton Golf Club. BEWARE OF GOLF BALLS ON THIS SECTION. Entering the golf course, follow the faint path ahead, towards a tall, white pole. This leads to a clearer, gravel path and then onward to the golf club access road. Continue ahead and, where this road enters an avenue of trees, take the signposted path that forks downhill to the left. The ruins of Okehampton Castle can be seen through the trees to the left. Follow the path downhill to the river (the West Okement again) and trace the riverside path past the hospital to Castle Road. Continue ahead to the junction and turn left (George Street) to Okehampton Town Centre.

Walk 4 - Bus Walk: Cream Tea Walk

Diagram of Walk 4
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Dunnabridge - Dartmeet

Length (approx): 6.5 miles (10.4 kms)
Estimated Walk Time: 4 hours
Start Point: Dunnabridge
OS Grid Ref SX 645 746
Public Transport: 172 (summer only)
Parking: Badger’s Holt, Dartmeet (free)

This walk offers a range of scenery from open moor through forestry plantation.

Ask the driver to stop at Dunnabridge Pound and go through the gate into the newtake. Here you will see a public bridleway signed to Laughterhole Farm. Follow the track until you come to the gate into Bellever. Go through the gate and where the track divides keep right (signed ‘path’).

Go past Laughterhole Farm and straight on along the bridleway to Bellever ignoring all side turnings until the track begins to swing left down the hill. Here you will see a narrow gate on your right again signed ‘path’. Go through this gate and follow the track past the picnic area, car park and toilets on your left.

Cross the bridge and turn right onto the road and follow this round the base of Riddon Ridge. After approximately 1 1/4 miles (2 km) this road becomes part of the Two Moors Way (Western Route).

Go past the turning on your left for Middle Cator and at the bend in the road, take the track to the right so you are now off-road again.

Follow this track until it joins the road at Sherwell. Turn right and walk on the road for 100 metres. Go over the ladder stile. Keep to the left hand edge of the field and head towards the gate at the bottom of the field. Go through the gate and cross a small footbridge over a stream.

Follow the track as it climbs up through the trees to another gate and into the next field, keeping the hedge line on your right hand side. At the gate, go through onto the open moorland of Yar Tor and follow the track back to Badger’s Holt car park/bus stop.

Note: the track may not be very visible in the summer due to the growth of bracken.

Alternatively, drop down to the right and take the lower track alongside the river back to the car park/bus stop.

And reward yourself with a cream tea!

Cream Teas are also available from nearby Brimpts Farm.

Walk 5 Wet Weather Walk: Ashburton, Whiddon and Waye

Diagram of Walk 5
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Ashburton, Whiddon and Waye

Length (approx): 4 miles (7 kms)
Estimated Walk Time: 2 hours
Start Point: Ashburton Library
OS Grid Ref SX 757 699
Public Transport: X38, 88, 170*, 172*, 672, 893 (* summer only)
Parking: Kingsbridge Lane car park, Ashburton town centre (car park charges apply)

A moderate walk exploring the environs of Ashburton. Some paths may be muddy after periods of heavy rain.

From Ashburton Library and Information Centre, turn left into North Street and head northwards, away from the town centre. Towards the end of North Street (shortly before a hump backed bridge) turn right, onto the Terrace Walk steps, opposite Crockaton Cottages.

Follow the lower path towards Cuddyford Cross, for 0.5 mile (1 km) along the stream. Cross over the lane at Cuddyford Cross and pass through a kissing gate. Take the left hand fork, (to the right of the hedge, with the stream on your left), cross a stile and carry on along a hedge lined trackway. Cross another stile, onto the edge of Woodencliff Wood, and then into Whiddon Scrubbs (owned by the Dartmoor National Park Authority). Follow the footpath signs straight ahead. Turn right, before a wooden footbridge and stream (towards Owlacombe).

After another 0.5 mile (1 km) cross a farmyard (Lower Whiddon Farm) and continue straight ahead uphill, along the lane to a T-junction.

Turn right and follow the road. Keep left at the fork in the road After 0.5 mile (1 km) turn right onto the footpath towards Waye House. Follow the tarmac track as it bears round to the left and down hill, passing Waye Farm on the right. After 1 mile (1.5 kms) you will come to the end of the track. Follow the footpath signs, through a kissing gate, and through an open space to another kissing gate. On reaching the lane, turn right and continue straight ahead. Follow the road, past the front of Ashburton Community College. After a short distance turn right into Balland Park and continue to the top of the street, before turning left at the T-junction. Proceed uphill, before turning right along the Terrace Walk footpath (opposite Higher Roborough). Follow the Terrace Walk back to North Street and Ashburton Town Centre.

Ashburton is an ancient Stannary Town in the valley of the River Ashburn. The settlement grew up around the tin, copper mining and woollen industries. Many of the older buildings were built by wool merchants. The Ashburn River provided water for washing wool and power for many of Ashburton’s mills.

Walk 6 - Wet Weather Walk: Buckfastleigh, Buckfast and Hembury Woods

Diagram of Walk 6
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Buckfastleigh, Buckfast and Hembury Woods

Length (approx): 7 miles (12 kms)
Estimated Walk Time: 5 hours
Start Point: Valiant Soldier Information Centre, Fore Street, Buckfastleigh
OS Grid Ref SX 742 662
Public Transport: X38, 88, 165, 170* (* summer only)
Parking: Buckfastleigh town centre car parks (car park charges apply)

A moderate walk from Buckfastleigh town centre, visiting Buckfast, Hembury Woods, and Mill Leat.

From the Valiant Soldier Information Centre in Fore Street, turn into Station Road, passing a car park on your right. After a short distance turn left at the end of a row of houses, onto a flight of steps (Church Steps). At the top of the steps, a path will take you up to the remains of Holy Trinity Parish Church. Turn left and continue along a lane. As the lane forks, bear right and then turn right through a kissing gate, following the signs to Buckfast. Just before reaching Buckfast, the path emerges onto a tarmac drive. Continue down hill to the main road. Cross over the road, towards Buckfast Post Office, and pass through an archway*. Carry straight on, with Buckfast Abbey on your right. Pass the Methodist Church and continue under a second archway. Turn left into Grange Road and continue straight ahead for 0.5 mile (1 km) to Fritzgrave Cross. Turn right and follow the lane signed Hembury Woods. Continue along the lane down to a bridge. Continue uphill, along the road as it bears left.

Turn right opposite the entrance to Hembury Woods, National Trust car park and picnic site, onto a track. Follow the track (ignoring other paths) through the woods. After 0.5 mile (1 km) you will reach a waymark post, signed towards the fort and the river. Turn left towards the fort, following the path uphill.

Carry on (ignoring other paths to the left) and you will reach a hedge boundary, with a field on the other side. Turn left, and continue uphill, crossing a stile.

Follow the path as it bears right, away from Hembury Fort, up to another gate, leading onto a road. Turn right and head along the road for 545 yards (500 metres). Turn left and head downhill to Shuttaford and then uphill to Ridgey Cross. Turn left, and after a further 545 yards (500 metres) fork left towards Higher Mill Leat. Continue downhill, passing Mill Leat Farm, to the river. Cross the bridge and turn left onto a bridlepath via a wooden footbridge. Continue along the bridlepath for 1 mile (1.5 kms) before emerging onto a road. Turn left and continue towards Buckfastleigh (this road stretch may be busier than the quieter lanes, so take extra care along this section). Go straight on at the next road junction and then after 272 yards (250 metres) fork right and continue along to the next junction (opposite the entrance to Buckfastleigh Sports Club).

Turn right and follow the footpath downhill. As the path descends the wooded slope, carry straight on (ignoring the path that doubles back down to the river). Follow the path downhill and eventually onto a lane. Turn left and follow the lane back to Buckfastleigh town centre.

(*Please note that dogs are not permitted in the Abbey or its grounds. Dogs should be kept on a lead along this section and should not stray from the path).

Walk 7 - Wet Weather Walk: Yelverton and Clearbrook

Diagram of Walk 7
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Yelverton and Clearbrook

Length (approx): 4 miles (6 kms)
Estimated Walk Time: 2 hours
Start Point: Yelverton Village
OS Grid Ref SX 521 678
Public Transport: 48, 55, 56, 82, 83, 84, 86, 98, 118* (* summer only)
Parking: Yelverton Village long stay car park (free car park and toilets)

An easy walk from Yelverton, visiting the village of Clearbrook, on the western edge of Dartmoor.

From Yelverton long stay car park (next to St. Paul’s Church) follow a tarmac drive, for a short distance, onto an unsurfaced path along a leat (with the main road on your right, head away from the village centre). Keep following the path onto another tarmac track signed ‘footpath’. This is the line of the Plymouth and Dartmoor Tramway. The tramway opened in 1823 and transported granite from Foggintor Quarries to Plymouth. The granite setts can still be seen in the former track bed.

Drake’s Leat and the Devonport Leat can be seen on either side of the path. Drake’s Leat was built by Sir Francis Drake in the 16th century to provide Plymouth with water from the Burrator area. Devonport Leat was started by the Plymouth Dock Waterworks in 1793, after they were granted a licence to abstract water from Dartmoor watercourses.

At the next path junction turn left, following the signs to Hoo Meavy. Keep following footpath signs towards Elfordtown Farm. Pass under a railway bridge and turn almost immediately right, through a metal kissing gate.

Follow the path down into the river valley. Eventually you will come to a path junction, next to the River Meavy and a railway underpass.

Ignore the path to the right and carry straight on towards Goodameavy, eventually reaching a road. Turn right and head up into Clearbrook village, passing the village hall and a row of houses opposite a common. Continue past the houses and along a track signed ‘residents vehicles only’. Cross the brook and follow the path, running parallel to the field boundary on the right. Follow the perimeter of the field as it bears to the right and continue until you reach a stone stile. Cross the stile and you are now back on the Plymouth and Dartmoor Tramway. Follow this track back to Yelverton, making sure you go straight ahead at any path junctions.

Walk 8a - Wet Weather Walk: Bovey Tracey (Parke Estate) to Lustleigh

Bovey Tracey (Parke Estate) to Lustleigh

Length (approx): 8.3 miles (13 kms)
Estimated Walk Time: 5 hours
Start Point: National Trust Parke estate (Bovey Tracey)
OS Grid Ref SX 805 786
Public Transport: 39, 170*, 172*, 174, 178, 179, 193, 671 (* summer only)
Parking: National Trust Parke estate (free car park and toilets)

A moderate walk with one or two steep climbs through river valleys, starting at the National Trust’s Parke estate near Bovey Tracey.

Parke is owned by the National Trust and is the headquarters of Dartmoor National Park Authority.

The walk can be shortened by parking at the car park near Holne Brake (OS Grid Ref SX 783 794). See directions for walk 8b.

Walk 8a Bovey Tracey (Parke Estate) to Lustleigh
Starting at the Parke estate car park follow the signs toward ‘National Trust Offices’ and ‘Walks’. Once through the stable yard pass through a small gate and turn left. Pass through a second gate and turn right following the signs, towards the ‘Riverside Walk’.

Cross the River Bovey via a small hump-backed bridge and continue straight on to the old railway line. Turn left and follow the railway path for 1 mile (1.5 kms).

At the end of the railway path, just before a bridge, fork right, towards a field gate at the bottom of the path. Turn immediately left, under the old railway bridge, then immediately right. Follow the road along the river. Pass under the railway and carry straight on to the next road junction.

At the road junction, carry on straight ahead, until you reach a byway on your right signed ‘Hatherleigh Farm’.

Follow the sunken track up hill to the road and then turn immediately left, over a stile into Knowle Wood (Woodland Trust). Follow the path signed towards Lustleigh.

Once out of the woods, at the bottom of the track, carry straight on, along the tarmac road, and turn left at the cross roads. As the road forks, bear right (marked as a dead end) towards the village centre. From the village centre (near the church and memorial) head towards the Post Office and village hall and on through to a play area and orchard. Follow the path, past the May Queen Throne, and bear right along the river. Cross a small wooden foot bridge and follow the path for a short distance, before turning right, back over the stream. Go through a kissing gate and cross a field, to the next field entrance. Turn left following a narrow, but obvious, track to a small kissing gate and eventually to a tarmac drive next to a cottage.

Once on the drive, turn left towards ‘Hammerslake for the Cleave’. Follow the steep path, up through the woods and cross a stile, onto a tarmac track before turning left and then immediately right. Follow the bridlepath signs towards ‘Heaven’s Gate and Hisley Bridge’. Walk through the woods until the path forks left, toward ‘Manaton via Water’.

At the next fork follow the signs towards ‘Lustleigh via Pethybridge’, then follow signs to ‘Hisley Bridge’. Carry on through Hisley Woods and Bovey Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve, ignoring other path junctions, keeping the river on your right. Eventually you will reach a field gate through to a meadow.

Carry straight on over the meadow with the river on your right and a field boundary on your left to a metal gate which leads onto a road. Turn right and carry on to the next junction, before turning left over a bridge and under the railway. At the next junction turn right and follow the road to the remains of the old railway bridge.

Turn right to re-join the old railway path back to Parke.

Walk 8b Wet Weather Walk: Holne Brake Circular Walk
(OS Grid Ref SX 783 794)

From the car park near Holne Brake, head down hill, along a narrow track (to the right of a wooden bench). Turn left onto a rough track and continue down hill. After 0.5 mile (1 km) turn right onto a footpath and bridleway signed towards Rudge. Pass through a wooden gate and cross over the stone hump backed bridge (Hisley Bridge). Turn right, following the path along the river bank, passing through Hisley Woods (Woodland Trust) and Bovey Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve (English Nature). Eventually you will reach a wooden field gate which leads through to a meadow.

Carry straight on, with the river on your right and a field boundary to your left, up to a metal gate and onto a road. Turn right and carry on to the next junction before turning left over a bridge and under the railway. At the next junction turn left towards Lustleigh until you reach a byway on your right signed ‘Hatherleigh Farm’. Follow the sunken track up hill to a lane and then turn immediately left and over a stile into Knowle Wood (Woodland Trust). Follow the path signed towards Lustleigh. Once out of the woods, at the bottom of the track, carry straight on, along the tarmac road, and turn left at the cross roads. As the road forks, bear right (marked as a dead end) towards the village centre. From the village centre (near the church and memorial) head towards the Post Office and village hall and on through to a play area and orchard. Follow the path, past the May Queen Throne, and bear right along the river. Cross a small wooden foot bridge and follow the path for a short distance, before turning right, back over the stream. Go through a kissing gate and cross a field, to the next field entrance. Turn left following a narrow, but obvious, track to a small kissing gate and eventually to a tarmac drive next to a cottage.

Once on the drive turn left towards ‘Hammerslake for the Cleave’. Follow the steep path up through the woods and cross a stile onto a tarmac track, before turning left and then immediately right. Follow the bridlepath signs towards ‘Heaven’s Gate and Hisley Bridge’. Walk through the woods, until the path forks left toward ‘Manaton via Water’. At the next fork, follow the signs towards ‘Lustleigh via Pethybridge’ for 273 yards (300 metres) then fork right, following the signs towards Hisley Bridge. Cross the bridge and continue through the gate back to the byway. Turn left and follow the track uphill, to the car park.

Tamar Valley Line walks

The Tamar Valley is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and one of the most enjoyable ways to see the sights is to take the scenic Tamar Valley Line, which runs for 14 miles (22.5 kms) through this beautiful landscape (Plymouth to Gunnislake). Another great way to explore the Tamar Valley is on foot and there is a good network of paths to use. For detailed information, refer to OS Explorer Map No. 108 (Lower Tamar Valley and Plymouth) or No. 112 (Launceston and Holsworthy).

The Tamar Valley Discovery Trail is a long distance route of approximately 30 miles (48 km), passing through the valley from Plymouth to Launceston. The Trail is varied and interesting, crossing both the River Tavy and River Tamar and incorporating a ride on the scenic Tamar Valley Line or a ferry crossing. In addition to the main route, there are also many village circuits along the way, so there are options for those who would just like a short stroll, perhaps with a pub lunch or cream tea, rather than a long walk.

A Discovery Trail information pack containing full details of the route; things to see along the way; train, ferry and tide times; local facilities and village walks, is available from the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown (01822) 890414 or the Tamar Valley AONB Service (01579) 351681 info@tamarvalley.org.uk or visit www.tamarvalley.org.uk (external link, opens new window).

Dartmoor Railway

A series of walks, based around the Dartmoor Railway line at Okehampton, are detailed in the Dartmoor Railway Walks leaflet, available from the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown Tel: (01822) 890414

The leaflet gives suggested walks (short and longer versions) back to Okehampton station from Meldon Viaduct and Sampford Courtenay stations.

From Okehampton, trains run to Meldon Viaduct Station, now the highest in southern England. The Viaduct offers superb views of the Dartmoor landscape and surrounding countryside and there is a Visitor Centre and buffet.

The train is equipped to take wheelchairs, enabling access onto the cycle/walkway at Meldon. In the opposite direction, trains run to Sampford Courtenay station, a small halt in unspoilt Devon countryside.

Granite Way

This excellent, mainly traffic-free, cycle/walkway between Okehampton and Lydford is part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route Number 27, Devon Coast to Coast, between Ilfracombe and Plymouth.

Starting from Okehampton Station, you can join the trail straight away, or catch the train to Meldon Viaduct and walk or cycle as far as Lydford, returning along the same route.

Pick up a Granite Way leaflet from the Tourist Information Centre, Okehampton Tel: (01837) 53020 or The High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown Tel: (01822) 890414

Suggested walks for the less mobile and disabled visitors to the Dartmoor area, are contained in Easy-Going Dartmoor.

This guide can be purchased at the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown or through Dartmoor National Park Authority’s on-line shop.

Page updated 1 December 2005

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