Walking in West Devon updates and information
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9/11/2023
Since creating the web site its hasn’t stopped raining consequently even when there is a brief interlude of dry weather the paths are so wet and boggy it not worth going out and exploring new paths and new routes
However I did manage a walk with Tavistock Ramblers https://www.tavistockramblers.org.uk/
on Sunday and can report that there is a very fine newly replaced bridge at Double Waters. I will update the Double Waters walk with a new photo but here is one with Ramblers on it.
Pleased to say that the boulders are holding back the Walkham from flowing around the bridge and cutting it off from the bank on the Buckland Monachorum side but it still would be good to have a dry causeway built to get across the rock pools.
16th November
I have put a new walk on starting in Milton Abbot and walking to Marystowe and back via Chillaton it’s about 8 miles. https://walkingwestdevon.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Milton-Abbot-walk.pdf I walked it at the end of October and have only just got around to photographing a necessary diversion. I wanted to go through Meadwell and take the green lane that passes to the south of Cleave but nearly at the end of this very nice sunken lane there is such a lake it was impossible to get through. At the time I managed to get around by negotiating a barbed wire fence and adjacent field edge but had to go back yesterday to photograph a route change via Billacombe instead which meant a half mile walk along the road. I have told DCC about the lake but as it’s not a footpath I doubt it will be on there to do list. I will visit again and if and when the lake has been drained then I will incorporate the green lane into another walk.
Walking in West Devon a New Dartmoor Walk
There is a new walk in Dartmoor Walks called Merrivale Antiquities and Quarries. A walk of just over 4.5 miles that takes you to see the stone rows hut circles stone circles and standing stone a short distance from Four Winds Car park. The walk then continues on to Swelltor Quarry and Foggintor Quarry before returning via Yellowmead to your car. An easy walk mostly using old tracks tramways and disused railway lines.
The link to the walk is: https://walkingwestdevon.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/MERRIVAL-WALK-try-again.pdf
Brent Tor Church walk
There is a new West Devon walk which will take you up to the iconic church and then around the parish returning to the church car park. Managed to do it on a day it wasn’t raining! It’s an easy walk generally level except if you want to walk up to the church which I have made as an excursion. You could get the 118 bus from Tavistock or Okehampton which stops in the middle of North Brentor and start the walk from there.
The link to the walk is: https://walkingwestdevon.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Brentor-walk.pdf
New Walking West Devon Walk: Lyd and Lew Valley Walk
There is a new 6 mile walk for you to try. Its a countryside walk that starts at Burley Down Wood which is about a mile and a half from Lydford.
It initially goes across Galford Down famous for its 9th Century Battle between the British and what was then the English Anglo Saxons. The winning side was never recorded.
There are excellent views from Galford Down. Although there is some road walking you would be unlucky to see more than a couple of cars. You can find it in Village and Countryside walks or try this link: https://walkingwestdevon.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Lyd-to-Lew-valley-walk.pdf
The Crock of Gold a new Dartmoor walk
There is a new walk for you. I went out on to the moor and explored the cairns and burial chambers including the Crock of Gold which is marked on the OS map a bit south of Princetown.
Went up a couple of times to make sure I had enough photos and on my second visit decided to make it an anti clockwise walk as there were more horizon features to head for. It is a bit damp in places so best to pick a day when there hasn’t been much rain for a week. If you want to make it a bus stop walk catch the 98 from Yelverton and scroll down to nearly the end for directions from Princetown.
To go on the walk go to https://walkingwestdevon.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/crock-of-gold.pdf
Walking in West Devon a new walk at Sticklepath
There is now a new walk of approx 4.5 miles that visits the river Taw and the West Devon villages of Sticklepath and South Zeal. Its a bit steep at the start but stick with it as it is a lovely walk and does pass in front of 4 pubs. You can find it in Pub walks as well as Village and Countryside Walks. You can also find it by going directly to https://walkingwestdevon.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sticklepath-and-south-zeal.pdf
Two new West Devon Walks at Fernworthy and Gidleigh
Well walkers I have been busy discovering some new walks for you. This time on the east side of the moor. One walk starts at Fernworthy Reservoir for a 6.5 mile walk the other from the little village of Gidleigh for a 4.75 mile walk. Both go either over or near to Kes Tor Rocks and both pass by some splendid prehistoric features . If you scroll down to the end of the Kes Tor walk I have also described the round Reservoir 4.2k easy walk for you. Not that it needs much describing. It is all well signposted. There is however, a sneaky little shortcut through the woods that you can take instead of using the road.
for the Fernworthy Walk go to https://walkingwestdevon.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/fernworthy-walk.pdf
and for the Gidleigh and Scorhill stone Circle walk go to https://walkingwestdevon.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Gidleigh-and-Scorhill-Circle.pdf
