HELLO

AND WELCOME TO WALKING IN WEST DEVON

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This is a website entirely devoted to self-guided walking routes in West Devon although there are a few that stray into East Cornwall Plymouth and South Hams. All the suggested routes are fully photographed and accurately described so if you are not that comfortable in map reading these walks are for you. Download the walk to your smart phone and off you go.

The Walks

The walks are all designed to be done using your phone.

If you haven’t used the self guided walks before you need to know that these could be described as Rambler walks.  This is because when you go out walking with the Ramblers you don’t normally take a map to use you rely on the leader to lead you around.  You have to pretend your phone is the walk leader or a friend inviting you out for a walk. Now you wouldn’t normally go out if your friend is generally run down. The same applies to your phone make sure it’s fully charged and raring to go.

 

All the walks are in pdf format  so all you need to do is to download it to a to a folder on your phone and open it up when you get to the starting point. (You won’t need an internet connection). Then follow the instructions and the photographs. Nearly all the walks are circular but there are a couple of linear walks using the bus which you will find on the page called BuStop Walks.

 

There are no maps to follow just photographs many with superimposed yellow arrows and a route description, besides you  wouldn’t normally take a map as your friend or the walk leader is leading you and knows where to go. There is of course nothing stopping you taking a map with you in fact very sensible if you intend walking out on the moor. On most of the  walks I have supplied a small map but these are generally simply to locate the walk and not intended to be followed.

  Thank you OSM contributors for consent to use your maps

Safety

Walking isn’t a particularly dangerous pastime but here are a few hints a tips.

 

Things to take with you.

First don’t forget your fully charged up phone.

If you are walking on the moors perhaps take a map particularly if you decide to make a detour. 

A bottle of water and a snack is quite important.

A hiker’s fold up mat to sit on  particularly if it has just rained.

For those very rare instances when you might slip or fall off a stile a small first aid kit should be carried.

The right clothing.  Remember it is often two degrees colder on top of a tor.

 

Weather It may be  a nice  day in Tavistock but at Princetown it may be thick mist. Do not under any circumstances go walking on the moors in poor visibility. 

Always check the weather forecast before you set off particularly if you are going on a Dartmoor Walk.

 

Roads  Now I have tried to limit road walking to the minimum but you will encounter a bit of minor road walking. When you do then its always best to walk facing the traffic except on a long slow right hand bend when its best to keep on the left so cars can see you in time.

 

Cows   are usually minding their own business and eating grass but young bullocks can be a  problem and may want to follow you.  If you are walking with a dog its the dog they want to see not you so let it off the lead get your self to a safe place and then call the dog to you. Always try and avoid cows with calves as mum can get a bit upset with you if you get too close.

 

Footwear Please don’t go walking in flip flops wear some decent walking boots.

 

Hope you enjoy the walks and if you see a problem then do contact me  using the Contact page.

 

 

Happy Walking