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Tavistock - Sharpitor

 

• Start: SX482 744 Abbey Bridge, Tavistock
• Finish: SX744 666 Dart Bridge, Buckfastleigh
• Distance: 41.5km/26 miles
• Ascent: 935m/3068ft
• Descent: 987m/3238ft
• Refreshments: Tavistock, Walkhampton, Dousland, Princetown, Hexworthy, Holne, Scoriton, Buckfast
• Public toilets: Tavistock, Princetown, Buckfastleigh
• Tourist information Ivybridge (off route), Princetown, Buckfastleigh (off route, seasonal)

NOTE Most moorland stretches are unfenced: be aware of livestock straying onto the road

Cross the Abbey Bridge and keep ahead up Whitchurch Road. After 250m turn left up Down Road, signed to the golf course (The Cattle Trough Cafe be found on the right just past the junction). Cross a cattle grid; the road levels off on approaching the golf course. Follow the road sharp left then sharp right and continue across Whitchurch Down with glorious views towards Dartmoor`s western tors. Keep straight on at Caseytown Cross, and again at Warren Cross (leaving open ground), signed to Sampford Spiney.

On reaching open ground again fork right, signed to By the Down. Keep on this lane between high hedgebanks until coming to a stone cross at a T-junction. Turn right across the cattle grid, signed Walkhampton and Horrabridge, and drop gently downhill to a crossroads; turn left to Walkhampton. Coast down the steep wooded hill and cross the River Walkham on a narrow granite bridge in the pretty hamlet of Huckworthy. A steep and steady climb gains Walkhampton village. Pass a lane to the church (left) and The Walkhampton Inn. At the war memorial turn left, uphill, to meet the B3212 at Dousland Cross near the Burrator Inn. Beware of fast traffic. Turn left towards Princetown and continue steadily up Peek Hill to pass craggy Sharpitor (right), then descend with wonderful views left towards Kings Tor and the line of the old Princetown railway (now a popular walking and cycling route).