This picturesque walk has something for everyone – quiet lanes, historic tracks, and plenty of fields to cross. And far reaching views in all directions.
Distance: Approximately 6 miles
Difficulty: A few significant climb! There are many gates and stiles on this walk, but nearly all of them are easy to navigate, and most have dog gates.
Time: around 3 hours
Start point: Moreton Hampstead on Pound Lane near the start of the Wray Valley Trail (take the first left as you leave the village on the road to North Bovey).
Grid reference: 753858
W3W: https://what3words.com/costumed.planet.names
Moretonhampstead is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, and it prospered for many years as a centre for wool and cloth production. There are two carparks in the town, or you can park on Pound Lane where it leads downhill towards the start of the Wray Valley Trail. The walk begins by following this trail along the track bed of the old Moretonhampstead and South Devon Railway. The line up from Newton Abbot was completed in 1866, and it must have made a huge impact in terms of tourism and travel opportunities for this remote community on the edge of the moor.
At the bottom of the hill, turn left onto the Wray Valley Trail which runs in a southerly direction between fields behind the old railway station and its sidings. Cross the bridge over the road and keep following the trail along the edge of Steward Community Woodland. Cross back over the main road again over another bridge. Follow the railway track for about half a mile to Wray Barton, where you need to join the road (briefly) for about 50m. Turn right at the brow of the hill onto a narrow lane which climbs steeply out of the valley.
There are lovely views of the Wray Valley as you climb - back towards Moretonhampstead on your right, and down towards Bovey Tracey on your left. After about half a mile the road levels out and you should soon turn right at the T junction. As you walk along this quiet lane, now heading north, different views open up to the wooded slopes of Easdon Tor across the valley to your left. After half a mile turn left through a gate signed “Footpath to North Bovey via Jursdon”.
As the side of a house appears ahead of you, the signed path turns sharp right through a small gate to cross a field. At the far side, go through another small gate, cross a drive into another field, and follow the left hand hedge round to a stile into yet another field. Go straight across to a gate, and in the next field head half right to another stile and double stream crossing. Follow the clear path ahead through two fields, with Easdon Tor dominating the skyline ahead of you.
As the path drops downhill it enters a lane, and at the valley bottom it bends right around a small stone barn. Here you are joining the well-signed Dartmoor Way long distance path for the remainder of the walk. You will soon see the river Bovey flowing through the fields to your left. Keep straight ahead aiming for North Bovey village, passing the ford and stepping stones to your left. Climb the hill ahead, keeping the picturesque village green to your left and the historic Ring O’ Bells pub and village hall to your right. At the road junction bear right and at the top of the hill take a narrow lane to your left.
After 200m turn right over a narrow stile to cross 3 fields and arrive at another lane. Turn right and then immediately left down a rough lane to a gate. Cross yet more fields to arrive at a farm track. There are great views ahead to Moretonhampstead in the valley below. Turn left onto the track and after 50m turn right to cross yet more fields! You then descend steeply to arrive at a stream at the far side of a field. Turn right here and follow the line of the stream out of the field, along a track and up to the road. Turn right and you will soon arrive back in Moretonhampstead, with several lovely cafes or pubs to choose from :-)
Lisa Harris (& Badger)