running head Out & About Those boots are made for walking
Now that the days are longer it’s the time to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful range of walks in the area. The South Devon Area of Outstanding Beauty has many routes to enjoy for walkers of all levels and with maps to download from
www.southdevonaonb.org.uk or
www.southwestcoastpath.com.
Miles & miles of walks in AONB The South West Coast Path provides good walking and stunning views for all – particularly from Salcombe to Brixham. Some routes are strenuous but you can pick and choose sections depending on the ability of the walker.
Photo credit: Nick Sheherd Photo credit: Phillip Halling
Hallsand
The Salcombe to Torcross section of the South West Coast Path is over 12 miles long but the spectacular views are very rewarding, particularly from Prawle Point and Start Point. The section between Beesands and Hallsands is highly recommended and holds the Number 2 spot of the annual Top 10 dog walks on the South West Coast Path. As a circular walk of 3 ½ miles which starts and finishes at the Seafront Car Park in Beesands, the walk takes in the dramatic remains of the historic village of Hallsands and passes around the ley which houses many migrant grebes, coots and warblers. Beesands itself is also a welcome stop with several cafes and The Cricket Inn to satisfy the pangs of hunger and thirst.
Beesands Photo credit: Steve Daniels
Slapton Ley is one of the finest areas of the British Coastland and as a National Nature Reserve is brimming with wildlife and flora at this time of year. The Field Centre in Slapton produces a great Walks and Trails map (downloadable from their website
www.slnr.org.uk) suitable for all the family which highlights what to look out from Great Crested Grebes to bats, butterflies, orchids and otters. They also run a number of free events (many highlighted on the By the Dart Website) and courses. For more information check
www.field-studies-council.org/slapton or
www.slnnr.org.uk or telephone 01548 580685.
Slapton Ley Photo credit: Steve Daniels Berry Head
Berry Head Nature Reserve On the other side of the Dart is the other local National Nature Reserve at Berry Head run by the Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust.
www.countryside-trust.org.uk Here the limestone cliffs are home to the largest guillemot colony to be found along the south coast of England. The surrounding limestone meadows also support a number of nationally rare plants and are full of beautiful wildflowers from May to August. From the tip of Berry Head you can see harbour porpoises and seals, although you are unlikely to spot any of the threatened Greater Horseshoe Bats who live in caves in this area. From here, it is a gentle walk around St Mary’s Bay to Sharkham Point and on a clear day there are panoramic vistas right across Lyme Bay towards Portland.
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