Walk 4 – River Dart CROSS over King’s Bridge, turn left into North Street and a 300-yard walk will lead you over Great Bridge into Headborough Road. 400 yards up from the bridge on the left is a very pleasant walk to the River Dart by way of public bridleways and a short stretch of road. The first section Goosepool Lane is extremely muddy, even in summer. When you emerge at Summerhill Cross, go straight over and after approximately 100 yards turn right by Summerhill Farm at a public footpath. At the end, return the way you came. The return distance is approximately 3.6 miles. Alternatively, when regaining the stretch of road alongside the Lavender House return by way of Lavender House and Bowden Hill (a little further down the road and on the left) and eventually down into West Street after enjoying some attractive views towards the South Hams from the top of Bowden Hill, and then into North Street – (3.8 miles). Another choice available on regaining the Summerhill Road from the River Dart is, instead of
Ashburton
returning to cross the Ashburton-to-Princetown Road near the Lavender House, to continue along the old County Road in a south westerly direction to the Buckfastleigh Road. Here turning left will bring you into Ashburton by way of Dartmoor Lodge Hotel, Western Road, West Street and finally into North Street – a distance of about 4 miles.
Walk 5 – Dartmoor and
Buckland Beacon (1mile) DARTMOOR is a compelling magnet for visitors and residents alike. For the first excursion to the moor visit Buckland Beacon, Ashburton’s nearest tor (ie weathered outcrop of rock, usually granite). From this vantage point a magnificent panorama of deep and wooded valleys opens up towards the west, with the River Dart winding away towards Dartmeet and the wild moorland hills beyond. Buckland Beacon is 1,281ft above sea level and cut into the granite rock can be seen the Ten Commandments, the work of a local stone-mason during the 1930s depression. It is only two miles north of Ashburton. Drive out of Ashburton up North Street and follow
the signs for Buckland and Widecombe, left over Great Bridge. At the top of the hill by the wooden bench, turn right for Widecombe and park near the cattle grid. Note the views to the coast and the Teign Estuary to the south. Turn and walk towards higher ground, keeping the wall on your left. After 200 metres turn left again following the wall. It is a fairly level walk to the Beacon and only about 15 minutes each way.
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