Yelverton, along the West Devon Way, and Drake's Trail

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Yelverton is a junction for many moorland trails; this route follows some of the West Devon Way and the Drake's Trail. Following a section of the disused railway and an old mining track. A circular route with a convenient 'watering hole' at the halfway point.

This route can also be completed by bicycle; it also has the potential to extend along the Plym Valley Trail to Plymouth and beyond.

Details

n°90078870
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–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.15 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 89 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 83 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 196 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 114 m
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Description of the walk

Start: The small parking area by the church - W3W>>>

(S/E) Continue south down Station Road, the lane to the old railway station. The trail will leave the old disused rail line and follow signage for the West Devon Way. At (1) Option to shorten this route: turn right as the sign for West Devon Way, and follow. To continue, in a southerly direction, crossing over the old track, continuing south. At the hamlet of Clearbrook, cross the lane (2), through a gate, into a horse's field and follow the river downstream.

(3) At the junction for Lower Goodameavy, the West Devon Way doubles back, under and over the bridge to continue and join the Plym Valley Trail in a northerly direction. Continue up the track, nearing the top of the hill, the route meets an access track. Veer left and west, joining the country lane.

(4) Clearbrook and the Sky Lark public house. Continue up the lane skirting the properties on the right, with the field and trees. As the route turns northwards, it meets another trail, The Drake's Trail. Continue northwards along Drake's Trail all the way back to Yelverton. The old Drake's Leat (A) runs parallel with the path and becomes more visible nearer to (E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 190 m - Car Park by St Paul's Church, Yelverton
  2. 1 : km 0.64 - alt. 165 m - West Devon Way (Short Route)
  3. 2 : km 2.36 - alt. 117 m - Road crossing
  4. 3 : km 3.54 - alt. 115 m - Turning Point onto Plym Valley Trail
  5. 4 : km 4.89 - alt. 147 m - The Sky Lark Public House
  6. S/E : km 8.15 - alt. 189 m - Car Park by St Paul's Church, Yelverton

Notes

Before the walk

  1. Ensure the walk matches your needs.
  2. Check the weather forecast.
  3. Be prepared with suitable clothing and footwear.
  4. Personal medication.
  5. Consider something to eat, and always keep hydrated; take a drink.
  6. Use the Visorando app, download the walk to your mobile. Consider a battery backup and or a printed route.
  7. Let someone know where you are. The app has a share route function, ‘Share my Location’.
  • Transport: There is a regular bus service passing through Yelverton. Timings of the buses should be confirmed.
  • Parking: Vehicle parking - there is convenient vehicle parking in the area, and additional parking across the A386 Leg 'o' Mutton car park.
  • Timing: The estimated time allows for extra time, when appropriate, for exploration and personal pace.
  • Accessibility: This route has been assigned "Easy" due to a reasonable footpath and the distance.
  • Facilities: There is a public convenience at the start, and other refreshments at (3).
  • Option: This is a circular route that can be walked either way. There is an option to shorten or lengthen this route if wanted.

Start: This walk's starting point, by the church - W3W >>>

During the walk

  • The Route: Is used by both walkers and cyclists.
  • Follow the Highway and Country Codes: The Countryside: Respect its inhabitants, and other countryside users.
  • Leave no trace: leave only footprints, but take away great memories.
  • Dogs: Keep under control, and bag it and bin it, don't sling it.
  • Self-care: Know your own limitations; walking is an adventure and can involve risks. Be responsible and know when to turn back, rather than get into difficulties.
  • First Aid: Treat blisters before they occur.

Enjoyed the walk:

  1. Where you can: Support the local economy: have a pint, a pasty, or a cuppa.
  2. Feedback from this walk: Please leave your thoughts

Report any findings; see app!

Worth a visit

Along the route

  • Yelverton railway line, an old railway station between Plymouth and Tavistock, and the branch line to Princetown >>>
  • Sky Lark, a moorland public house (3)
  • Drake's Trail: 21.5-mile cycle and walking route from Plymouth to Tavistock >>>

(A) Plymouth Leat or Drake's Leat. Built by Sir Francis Drake, to supply water to the old town of Plymouth >>>

Nearby

Other walks in the area

Walking Burrator Reservoir from Yelverton (Dartmoor)

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Walking Confluence of the rivers Tavy and Walkham from Yelverton

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Confluence of the rivers Tavy and Walkham from Yelverton
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A circular walk in woodlands along River Walkham until the confluence and then, in meadows with beautiful views over Dartmoor Tors far away.

Walking Shaugh Bridge, Cadover, and The Old Pipe Track

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Walking Around Denham Bridge and Wood

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↔4.92 km ↗+110 m ↘-117 m ◔1h 45 ▲Easy
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This small and easy walk mainly in Denhman wood lets you discover old Denham bridge (17th-century) and the banks of the River Tavy.

Walking Cadover, Ditsworthy Warren House, and Ringmoor Down

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Cadover, Ditsworthy Warren House, and Ringmoor Down
↔9.13 km ↗+126 m ↘-125 m ◔3h 00 ▲Moderate
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This is a walk up and along the river Plym, leading to Ditsworthy Warren House. A remote, now disused farm. The house was used during the filming of War Horse, a film directed by Steven Spielberg. Around the area, there is still evidence of old mine workings and Rabbit Warrens. Then walking across Ringmoor Down, across old field systems, and then onto Brisworthy Plantation, before meeting the country lanes back to the start.

Walking Norsworthy Bridge, Older Bridge, Eylesbarrow Tin Mine (disused)

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Norsworthy Bridge, Older Bridge, Eylesbarrow Tin Mine (disused)
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⚑Departure from Walkhampton (Devon)
Burrator Reservoir, on the Western fringes of Dartmoor National Park, is a local beauty spot in itself, which has many guided routes through the trees and water line. This walk follows a well-defined track up onto the higher moors, then makes its way back on another well-defined path, through the village of Sheepstor, and finally follows the lane around the Reservoir, passing many interesting artifacts along the way to see and wonder.

Walking Black Tor Falls, a Dartmoor Waterfall, and nearby Bronze Age Stone Row

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Black Tor Falls, a Dartmoor Waterfall, and nearby Bronze Age Stone Row
↔4.21 km ↗+53 m ↘-61 m ◔1h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Walkhampton (Devon)
Dartmoor, as many rivers rise high up on the moors, they cascade down through the moors and valleys. There are not many waterfalls on Dartmoor that can be accessed so easily, but this route offers a short, easy access route to a popular waterfall on the River Meavy, and it also has the added attraction of a nearby Bronze Age Stone Row and Cairn.

Walking Sharpitor, Leather Tor, and Peek Hill

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↔2.99 km ↗+85 m ↘-80 m ◔1h 05 ▲Easy
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This is a short route that leads onto moors, up to Sharpitor (A), and then onto Leather Tor, two rocky tors, with views overlooking the Burrator Reservoir. Around this area the moorland ponies tend to gather, as nice as they be, it is best to NOT pay them attention, as they can bite, as they have learned, hanging around near the road, they may get fed. What is not considered is getting hit by a car.

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