Walks with Winnie

A circular walk from Fatherford Bridge, along the East Okement River and up towards East Hill.

This walk has been kindly written (and walked) for us by Denise Horner of Dartmoor Nordic Walking with her dog Winnie

www.dartmoornbordicwalking.co.uk and www.petranger.co.uk

Approximate time 1 hour, but does involve hills.

1:25000 Outdoor Leisure Map 28. SX 603 949

The ladies from Dartmoor Nordic Walking have named this walk ‘The Goat Track’ - for some obvious reasons! The walk starts at the car park by Fatherford Bridge. There’s a flat start along the river, but narrow paths and a climb up towards East Hill. It can be hazardous after heavy rain as part of the path becomes stepping stones and may be impassable. However, during the summer, it is a great walk for the dogs as there are plenty of places to swim.

From the car park, pass through the gate towards the river taking ‘Charlotte's Bridge’, then left through the gate towards the East Okement Valley. Pass under the bridges, taking either the left path walking directly next to the river, or the right hand path through the woods. (Ignore the sign pointing up towards a steep hill beside the bridge, we will be coming back down this way) This is a mostly flat walk at this point, following the river, which will always be on your left. You will come across a very large fallen tree log, a great place to sit and rest while you watch the dogs swimming.

From here you now approach the stepping stones — be careful as they can sometimes be slippy. You may meet Dave here with his two dogs, Briavel the Collie and Miles the Border Terrier. Dave keeps an eye on the tadpoles along the right hand side of the stepping stones. Continue along until you reach a bridge and at this point take the right hand path up the hill and over the stile.

The path now becomes more uneven and steeper which is not a problem if you have your Nordic poles with you! The woods here are full of amazing colours all year round but at this time of year may well have lots of bluebells on show. The path becomes narrow with the river on your left, and then a stone wall, which you will follow until it ends. You will now see a sign pointing up the hill to the right. Follow this up into the open, stopping as you reach the corner of the wall to admire the views all around you towards Okehampton and Belstone.

The path from here is out in the open to your right. Continue towards a gate where the path heads down the hill to your left (don’t go through the gate) and reaches a second path (there will be another gate on you right, don't go through this one either). Turn left and after a short 20 feet, turn right down the hill — this bit is steep. At the bottom of this hill, go through the gate on your right and back down to where you started. Turn left under the bridges and back to the car park.

If you would like to take this as an escorted walk, meet on Thursday, 18 May at 10.30am and I will show you the way. Please book via the website www.dartomoornordicwalking.co.uk