< Cadover Bridge - Ivybridge >

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Cadover Bridge - Ivybridge

 

• Start: SX524 657 Clearbrook
• Finish: SX640 567 Stowford Bridge, Ivybridge
• Distance: 16.5km/10.25 miles
• Ascent: 319m/1047ft
• Descent: 406m/1332ft
• Refreshments: Shaugh Prior (off route), Wotter, Cornwood, Ivybridge (off route)
• Public toilets: Ivybridge (off route)
• Tourist information: Ivybridge (off route).

NOTE Watch out for china clay lorries on the roads from Cadover Bridge to just before Cornwood. Cross Cadover Bridge and follow the road ahead, gently uphill.
Side-trip to Shaugh Prior and the Dewerstone Take the first turn right, to Shaugh Prior; pass the church and continue through the village to reach Shaugh Bridge. The Dewerstone is easily accessed on foot from the car park.
Side-trip to Shaugh Prior and the Dewerstone. Take the first turn right, to Shaugh Prior; pass the church and continue through the village to reach Shaugh Bridge. The Dewerstone is easily accessed on foot from the car park.
Shaugh Bridge car park is the setting-off point for climbers intent on tackling the Dewerstone. This popular granite crag towers above the wooded Plym Valley and is (of course) home to many legends: the Devil`s hounds are said to round up unrepentant sinners every so often and force them over the edge of the crags. It is also said that a huge red-eyed dog lurks in the woodlands hereabouts. Locally the Devil is known as `Dewer`.

Soon with great views open up ahead towards Plymouth Sound and Rame Head in southeast Cornwall. After for 1.5km / 1 mile reach a crossroads at Beatland Cross. Turn left, signed to Wotter, soon passing The Moorland Hotel. Look out for sheep on the road along this stretch. Pass huge spoil heaps from the china clay works, and a turning left to Lee Moor.
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The last commercial granite quarry (Merrivale) on Dartmoor closed as recently as 1999 but evidence of Dartmoor`s active china clay industry is obvious in this southwest corner of the moor. The traffic on the roads is heavier, and the landscape is scarred by quarrying. China clay (kaolin) is a product of decomposed felspar within Dartmoor`s granite rock, and the industry in southwest England was started by William Cooksworthy from South Devon in the 18th century.

Descend to Piall Bridge, in lovely woodland, and follow the road on to Cornwood (just before the village is reached the road narrows between high stone walls: take care). After 4.5km / 2.75 miles, at Cornwood Cross by the Cornwood Inn, turn left on Fore Street, signed to the hamlet of Torr. Narrow Vicarage Bridge is crossed at Torr, after which there is a long climb. The narrow and very quiet lane takes an undulating course to narrow Harford Bridge, reached 2.5km/1.5 miles from Cornwood, then rises to pass lovely St Petroc`s Church. Keep ahead at Harford Cross, signed Ivybridge, and enjoy a long and gradual descent past Lukesland House to reach the outskirts of Ivybridge at Stowford Bridge.