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Down St. Mary walks
Stage 7 Devon's Coast-to-Coast : Morchard Bishop to Knowstone
Association / Club / Walk leader
14.58 mi
+1,014 ft
-866 ft
7h 35
Moderate
Departure from Morchard Bishop (Devon)
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.
Stage 6 Devon's Coast-to-Coast : Drewsteignton to Morchard Bishop
14.89 mi
+1,447 ft
-1,611 ft
8h 05
Moderate
Departure from Drewsteignton (Devon)
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).
Cosdon Beacon from South Zeal
Visorando Member6.52 mi
+1,184 ft
-1,175 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from South Tawton (Devon)
A Dartmoor walk that includes the most north-easterly summit in the National Park which offers some fine views especially to the north. The route needs careful navigation at the start and in poor weather you need a good sense of direction and compass skills.
Fingle Bridge
5.37 mi
+797 ft
-807 ft
3h 10
Easy
Departure from Drewsteignton (Devon)
Lovely walk to discover the Dartmoor National Park. This walk starts from Fingle Bridge National Trust and has great view on Castle Drogo.
Clifford Bridge to Fingle Bridge and Butterdon Down
7.70 mi
+1,237 ft
-1,214 ft
4h 35
Moderate
Departure from Moretonhampstead (Devon)
A wonderful circular walk from Clifford Bridge to Fingle Bridge on a gentle path along the River Teign before heading steeply onto Butterdon Down and descending back to Clifford Bridge. Beautiful woodland views.
Throwleigh Church loop
4.04 mi
+253 ft
-262 ft
2h 05
Moderate
Departure from Throwleigh (Devon)
A beautiful walk past granite Devon longhouses and open moorland on the edge of Dartmoor. It's recommended to do this walk clockwise as the last footpath is difficult to find going in the other direction.
Cosdon Hill & Oke Tor from Belstone
10.36 mi
+1,745 ft
-1,729 ft
6h 15
Difficult
Departure from Belstone (Devon)
A demanding Dartmoor walk that requires careful navigation and preferably good weather. The route uses a section of the Tarka Trail, visits some ancient monuments and visits the summits of a number of granite tors.
Belstone near Okehampton to Princetown - Dartmoor Perambulation
15.95 mi
+2,372 ft
-2,024 ft
9h 25
Very difficult
Departure from Belstone (Devon)
This is the third and last stage of the Dartmoor Perambulation.
This route follows the western section of the original route; key checkpoints are used.
This route is completed, following the Visorando App, but may need local variations due to weather conditions and access. Read the Notes for more guidance
Stage 8 Devon's Coast-to-Coast : Knowstone to YHA Exford
15.10 mi
+2,165 ft
-2,001 ft
8h 50
Moderate
Departure from Knowstone (Devon)
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.
Bennett's Cross to Grimspound and the Golden Dagger mine
3.53 mi
+597 ft
-623 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from Chagford (Devon)
This route starts at Bennett's Cross, a moorland cross marking a boundary, then circles an area on Dartmoor, where over many centuries, Tin was mined. Leading onto the Two Moors Way and Grimspound, a well-preserved Bronze Age Settlement, it is thought that the occupants mined in the area. The route then leads through the heart of the mined area, with Headland Warren, another area on the moors where rabbits were farmed. To finish back at the cross, which is near the highest Inn in Southern England, where the fire in the hearth has reputedly stayed lit since the 1800s.
Dartmoor Warren House Inn to Chagford Circular
14.78 mi
+1,883 ft
-1,886 ft
8h 25
Difficult
Departure from North Bovey (Devon)
A circular walk in the east of Dartmoor following roads and paths, including sections of the Two Moors Way. The walk includes a mix of open moorland, footpaths and quiet roads where the farming hinterlands meet the moor. Except for the section north of the road near the Warren House Inn, all the paths are well-trodden and waymarked. There are some steep sections. Apart from the high moors, this walk is fairly sheltered from the prevailing SW winds.
Around the Hound (The Bluebell Walk)
3.65 mi
+702 ft
-682 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Manaton (Devon)
This is a short, circular walk on established paths around a popular and accessible part of Dartmoor. Great at any time of year, but look out for the outstanding display of bluebells in late April and early May; hence the alternative name of the walk. Finish with a well deserved pint at the Rugglestone Inn in Widecombe.
East Dart River, waterfall, and the Beehive hut
4.91 mi
+495 ft
-492 ft
2h 40
Moderate
Departure from Dartmoor Forest (Devon)
The moorland hamlet of Postbridge in itself is always worth a visit, with it's 12th century clapper bridge, believed to have been built by the tinners. Venturing up to see the East Dart waterfall makes the visit to the area worthwhile. The route follows the river upstream to the waterfall, and if conditions are suitable, crosses the river and returns, passing some Bronze Age Settlements.
During adverse weather, and if the river is in spate (flood), see Notes.
Sittaford Tor and Hartford Tor
6.75 mi
+640 ft
-666 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Dartmoor Forest (Devon)
This is an unmarked hike (but mainly obvious paths during clear days) located on the easter side of Dartmoor National Park. During this trip, you will enjoy peaceful moors, great views from tops and stone circles historic site.
Stage 5 Devon's Coast-to-Coast : YHA Dartmoor Bellever to Drewsteignton
14.68 mi
+1,309 ft
-1,667 ft
7h 55
Moderate
Departure from Dartmoor Forest (Devon)
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.
Codden Hill
2.33 mi
+351 ft
-358 ft
1h 25
Easy
Departure from Bishop's Tawton (Devon)
This short circular walk with ascents and descents close to Barnstaple provides a good way to explore Codden Hill which overlooks the surroundings valleys and River Taw Estuary.
Lane End, Tavy Cleave, Dead Lake Ford, Hare Tor, and Ger Tor
4.47 mi
+725 ft
-725 ft
2h 40
Moderate
Departure from Peter Tavy (Devon)
This circular walk leads up through the valley of Tavy Cleave, where the river Tavy cascades down, and the Cleave towers above. Following the Wheal Jewel Leat, before making a path over and around the boulders along the riverbank. At Dead Lake, the route makes its way up and along the top of the Cleave, with impressive Tors, and spectacular views down the valley.
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