Out and About with Tavistock Ramblers

A 5-mile walk in the Plym Valley with Bruce Pryde of Tavistock Ramblers.

Walk down the River Plym from Cadover Bridge (SX555646) through woodland to Shaugh Bridge. Across the river are the Dewerstone rocks, always a favourite with climbers. We return on high ground with wide moorland views and a chance to look at the industrial remains on the way.

1. Walk downstream from the bridge passing through a swing gate, followed by two further gates. Continue on the path with the river in view on your right. The pipe you see on the path was once used to carry china clay to Shaugh Bridge.
2. After a mile go over the stile where there is a National Trust sign for West Down. A third of a mile further on there is an old concrete tank on your right and the path divides. Take the right-hand path and when you reach the gate, follow signs to Shaugh Bridge. The path descends, going over a stile.
3. Just before reaching the road, stay on the path as it turns right and go down the steps. On your right are the old settling tanks for the china clay, where the water was drained off before the clay was transported away.

Bear right through the car park and over the wooden bridge. Follow the path as it bends around to the right by the wooden fence and climbs up a paved track. Ignore any paths off to the right.

1. Near the top, the paved track takes a sharp left bend. Continue to follow the track and as it flattens out ignore the paved track that bends off sharply to the right. You will pass between large granite slabs ahead of you.
2. Stay on the level path, once an old tramway, until it divides. Take the right fork up the inclined plane where granite from the quarry was lowered down on trucks which ran on rails. You can see the remains of the stones used to hold the rails as you climb up.
3. At the top are the remains of the housing for the cable drums. Here turn sharp right along the old track bed. This eventually narrows and climbs to the left to reach the top of Dewerstone Rock.
4. Admire the view before taking the middle of the three paths across Wigford Down, with the river valley far below on the right. Head for the high point to the left of the trees ahead. A field stone wall will come into view on the right. The path follows this around and eventually the car park can be seen. Pass by the ancient stone cross to the road and over Cadover Bridge. 

Why not join Tavistock Ramblers for more Dartmoor walks? Go to www.tavistockramblers.org.uk for more details of walks in the area.