The Archangel’s Way is a pilgrimage route of 35 miles across the north of Dartmoor from Brentor to Chagford. It’s an ancient and remote landscape that connects you to the people who have lived here via the buildings and artefacts they have left behind.
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A Scenic Figure of Eight’ from Bridestowe
This route follows quiet lanes and footpaths to the west of the moor. It takes in part of the Archangel’s Way where it follows the Granite Way walking and cycle track. This was once the Southern Railway to Plymouth and it includes the impressive Lake viaduct. The walk can be shortened if required by taking just one of the two loops.
Distance: Approximately 6 miles
Difficulty: For once (!) the route is largely flat (although there are a couple of tricky stiles)
Time: 2.5 hours
Start point: You can park in the disused section of old A30 near Bridestowe Village Hall.
Grid reference: 515896
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From the carpark walk down the hill into Bridestowe, passing St Bridget’s Church with its distinctive Norman gateway on your right hand side. In the centre of the village, just past the church, take a quiet lane to your left. This is part of the Two Castles Trail running for 24 miles between Launceston and Okehampton. Follow this for about a mile towards the small village of Lake, keeping right where the road forks, and cross straight over the A386. Follow the signed bridleway uphill just to the left of the 13th Century Bearslake Inn. Originally a Devon longhouse, it is worth a visit for the lovely garden alone.
The path heads up towards the moor, climbing gently through a wood alongside a stream. It then passes directly underneath the impressive Lake Viaduct on the old railway track to Lydford, which is now the Granite Way. The viaduct was completed in 1874 and its curve extends for 140 metres with 9 arches, 70 feet above ground level. After a few metres take a right turn to climb up onto the viaduct, from where there are great views in all directions. Turn right again to follow the Granite Way in a northerly direction for about ¾ of a mile. Leave the track at the 14th Century Church of St Thomas a Becket with its interesting labyrinth in the graveyard, and head down the approach road towards Sourton village. Turn left and almost immediately cross over the A386 again, where on the far side you’ll see a bus stop and footpath sign pointing west, next to a small group of houses.
Follow the footpath through fields to reach the ‘old' A30. Turn left along the grass verge and after about 200m you’ll see another footpath to your left. Follow this to skirt the old Sourton Quarry, which is now a picturesque lake owned by the Devon Wildlife Trust. You can’t access the site directly, but there is a viewing point out over the lake from the footpath as you reach the far side. With the quarry now behind you, the path winds through a pretty wooded valley before emerging on the same lane that you started out on. By turning right, you can shorten the walk and return to Bridestowe, or by turning left you’ll set out on the second loop of the full walk’s figure of eight.
This time, shortly before reaching the main road, turn right down a track signposted the West Devon Way. Follow it for half a mile, crossing a stream via a footbridge, until you see a footpath sign off to your right. This takes you through farmland in a north westerly direction towards the 17th Century Leawood House and its extensive parkland. Carefully follow the diverted but well signed path around the edge of the property (there are a number of gates and changes of direction) but eventually you will emerge on the far side, still heading north west through more fields. The footpath soon comes out on a lane where you turn right to head back into Bridestowe village. Retrace your steps past the village shop and church to return to your car.
Written and walked by Lisa Harris