Devon's Coast-to-Coast : Plymouth to Wembury and on to Lynmouth

The Two Moors Way was officially opened on 29 May 1976. In 2005 the Two Moors Way was linked with the Erme–Plym Trail from Ivybridge to Wembury on the south Devon coast to create a cross-county coast-to-coast route of over 115 miles.

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S

   Stage 1 Devon's Coast-to-Coast : Plymouth Station to Wembury

   17.90 km 206 m 224 m

   This stage is really an add-on to the official route. There is an option to use the Erme-Plym Trail that is, in itself, an add-on to the original Two Moors Way. This will take you straight to Ivybridge through Brixton and Yealmpton. However, this route takes you along the coast to Wembury. The ferry option reduces the road walking considerably.

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2. 2

   Stage 2 Devon's Coast-to-Coast : Wembury to Ivybridge

   23.34 km 461 m 406 m

   Go for a swim, paddle your feet, pick up a stone or just take a photo. Whatever you do at the beginning of the walk, from here on, the route drives inland towards the higher ground of The Dartmoor National Park. It weaves its way through Brixton, Yealmpton and Ermington before reaching Ivybridge, using the Erme-Plym Trail.

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3. 3

   Stage 3 Devon's Coast-to-Coast : Ivybridge to Holne

   21.43 km 541 m 415 m

   Stage 3 takes us right into the Dartmoor National Park and is where the original Two Moors Way starts. Once out of Ivybridge, past the old Stowford Paper Mill and out onto the moors, you really feel that you're on a long-distance trail. Look out for the MW signs as you work your way across the tops, through Scorriton to reach Holne.

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4. 4

   Stage 4 Devon's Coast-to-Coast : Holne to YHA Dartmoor Bellever

   24.72 km 638 m 499 m

   This stage has a sting in the tail as an option for all those YHA lovers. The Two Moors Way goes about 5 miles east of YHA Dartmoor at Bellever but that shouldn't stop you from staying there. The extra few miles at the end of this stage and the journey back to the Two Moors Way at the beginning of the next stage are in no way laborious, rather a bonus.

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5. 5

   Stage 5 Devon's Coast-to-Coast : YHA Dartmoor Bellever to Drewsteignton

   23.63 km 399 m 508 m

   This stage is the last part of the Two Moors Way in Dartmoor National Park. First, it retraces steps back to Bennet's Cross to join the trail and then avoids the high ground to the west by heading for the Teign Valley. There are a mix of landscapes and a real high point at Hunter's Tor near Castle Drogo.

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6. 6

   Stage 6 Devon's Coast-to-Coast : Drewsteignton to Morchard Bishop

   23.96 km 441 m 491 m

   Stage 6 is a tricky navigational test as we leave the Dartmoor National Park and head into Mid Devon. The route crosses the A 30, the main Exeter to Barnstaple rail line and the busy A 377. There's plenty to keep you occupied and some pretty hamlets to go through (avoiding some interesting villages, so you might be tempted to go off-route at some point).

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7. 7

   Stage 7 Devon's Coast-to-Coast : Morchard Bishop to Knowstone

   23.46 km 309 m 264 m

   There are basically two parts to the seventh stage; Morchard Bishop to Witherage and then Witherage to Knowstone, both 8 milers and through interesting Mid Devon agricultural landscape. We follow the River Datch for a while to reach Washford Pyne, then follow the Little Dart River. We meet the Ridge and Valley Walk at Witherage and, cross over the A 371.

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8. 8

   Stage 8 Devon's Coast-to-Coast : Knowstone to YHA Exford

   24.31 km 660 m 610 m

   Stage 8 takes us into Exmoor National Park and back to some high ground but mostly it's a riverside walk along the River Barle that is a tributary to the River Exe that flows all the way to the south Devon coast at Exmouth. The route goes over Tar Steps near Hawkridge and has the option of finishing at Withypool or continuing to Exford to stay at the YHA.

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9. E

   Stage 9 Devon's Coast-to-Coast : YHA Exford to Lynmouth

   30.42 km 638 m 877 m

   The final stage is a bit longer than the others but it is a pleasant walk without too many climbs. First of all, it retraces steps back to Withypool, then follows the River Barle to Simonsbath. From there it's over The Chains to meet the Tarka Trail and descend the Cheriton Ridge and along the East Lyn River to end up in Lynmouth.

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