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  South Hams and Teignbridge. 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. If you own a mobile phone battery charger take it with you. For most of the moorland walks you won’t need a map as the walks are on well used paths and tracks but phones do fail so if you have an OS map of Dartmoor take it with you. 

 

All the walks are in pdf format  so all you need to do is to download it 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. However phones do fail so taking a map with you in fact is very sensible especially if you intend walking out on the moor. On most walks I have supplied a small map but these are generally simply only to locate the walk and not intended to be followed.

  Thank you OSM contributors for consent to use your maps

SAFETY WHEN YOU ARE OUT ON A WALK

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

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.

Livestock

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.

Horses are not generally very friendly some are but don’t assume they want to be touched. Keep well clear and and try and avoid them.

Sheep are generally very wary of you and will run away so not a lot to worry about except don’t make them run they may injure themselves trying to get away from you.

Footwear Please don’t go walking in flip flops wear some decent walking boots and I don’t mean walking shoes the moors especially in winter need proper waterproof boots. 

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. If the weather starts to deteriorate while you are out don’t be macho just turn back or find a safe route to a road.

Clothing Even in summer the moors are a degree or two  colder than the town. Layers are good you can strip off as you warm up. Check the weather forecast and the sky before you set off. Take a  waterproof coat in the winter and have a lightweight pac a mac with you in the summer.

Sustenance. A 6 mile walk will take you 3 hours so you will need to take food with you and water. Don’t be mean food is fuel and you may need it if fall over.

PERSONAL SAFETY  99% of the times you go out for a walk nothing happens but just once in awhile someone needs to know where you are and mobile phone signal can be pretty bad on the moors and even out in the countryside. Tell someone or leave a note to say where you are walking. For example Give them the name of the walk Lydford Viaduct Walk  and the website  walkingwestdevon.co.uk.

All the walks are on public rights of way and when on open access land you are normally being directed along moorland paths. Don’t try and take shortcuts or deviate off as the routes supplied have all been checked for ease and safe use.  Occasionally hazards occur like falling trees washed out paths and when this happens take extra care and then inform this web site on the Contact page so others can be made aware and the route changed.

  Walkingwestdevon cannot be held responsible for any loss or injury on any of the walks you are entirely responsible for your own safety.

 

 

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

 

 

Happy Walking