This trail is a great way to explore the Wray Valley, following in the footsteps of the Victorians who built the Newton Abbot to Moretonhampstead railway in 1866.
The 11km, mainly traffic free, route links Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead. It follows the line of the old railway, which was closed to passengers in 1959, taking you through the National Trust Parke Estate and past the picturesque villlage of Lustleigh.
The trail has been several years in the making and has involved major works including 2 new bridges across the A382. Devon County Council has worked with local landowners and Dartmoor National Park to ensure the trail will benefit everyone.
https://visitdartmoor.co.uk/get-active/the-best-dartmoor-walks/wray-valley-trail
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The Dartmoor Way cycle route is a 95 mile-long circular route which winds its way around the natural beauty of Dartmoor National Park, linking hamlets, villages and towns along its length.
This recreational route takes cyclists through the varying landscape surrounding the High Moor, visiting attractive and interesting locations which offer a wide choice of places to eat, drink and stay for the night. The well-signed Dartmoor Way Cycle Route follows quiet Devon lanes and minor roads, and uses traffic-free cycle tracks wherever possible.
In addition to the main circular route, there is a 27 mile-long High Moorland link. This allows you to follow a 'figure of eight' route, or alternatively enjoy either of the shorter north or south circular routes.
The Dartmoor Way offers many possibilities for a break away - from a day trip or weekend, to a full 5 - 7 day holiday. From winding, secret, Devon lanes, to airy moorland roads with panoramic views, this route has interest packed into every mile.
Cyclists will discover full days of pedalling, and wonderful places to stay a while, and explore.
http://www.dartmoorway.co.uk/home.php
The Dartmoor Way walking route is a waymarked 108-mile (173km) long circular route around Dartmoor.
The route explores wooded valleys; sparkling streams that tumble off the moor; deep drove-roads and bridleways used for generations by farmers and travellers.
The route can be enjoyed all year round from the freshness and colours of Spring, through the glories of high Summer and wonderful colours of Autumn, to the stark beauty of Winter.
The High Moor Link crosses the moor from Tavistock through to Buckfast, enabling two smaller circles of either the Northern or Southern Moors to be completed. The route links up with the Two-Moors Way long-distance footpath offering a wide variety of route options.
The Dartmoor Way offers many possibilities for a break away - from a day-trip or weekend to the whole route as a 10-day holiday.
https://www.dartmoorway.co.uk/ww/index.php
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Drake’s Trail in West Devon is a 21-mile, multi-use route linking Tavistock with Plymouth. I've cycled Drake's Trail three times as part of longer rides. My first time was Tavistock to Plymouth (mostly downhill), the other times were Plymouth to Tavistock (mostly uphill). The trail follows the route of the old GWR Tavistock to Plymouth railway (apart from a section between Horrabridge and Clearbrook). Expect viaducts with magnificent views across to Dartmoor, wooded cuttings and the occasional tunnel from this age of grand engineering.
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One of the UK’s most spectacular bus rides, traversing the beautiful and extensive Dartmoor National Park.
Dartmoor National Park is one of the UK’s most stunning open wildernesses. Explore the moorland views and towns, spot the ponies and cattle wandering freely and catch a glimpse of the austere Dartmoor prison. Our Dartmoor Explorer provides the experience from both Exeter and Plymouth, as well as towns and villages across the moor.
Summer Service 9 July 2023 - 26 August 2023. Three buses a day Live Map - bustimes.org
Route
Exeter Bus Station - St Thomas Railway Station - Longdown, Lamb Inn - Dunsford Meadhay - Doccombe - Moretonhampstead Court Street Car Park - Batworthy Miniature Pony Centre - Warren House Inn - Postbridge Post Office - Powder Mills - Two Bridges Hotel - Princetown Fox Tor Cafe - Yelverton Roundabout - Southway - Milehouse - Plymouth Railway Station - Plymouth Viaduct - Plymouth Royal Parade
https://www.firstbus.co.uk/adventures-bus/services/dartmoor-explorer
https://bustimes.org/services/dart-postbridge-opp-national-park-visitor-centre-m
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This cycle route explores the back lanes between Eggesford and Lapford. I used an eBike to help me up the hills. You can hire an eBike from Barnstaple or Exeter and catch the hourly Tarka Line trains to Eggesford. You don't have to reseve a bike space and all of the trains stop at Eggesford.
Try the route clockwise or anti-clockwise and enjoy the ever-changing views of the Mid-Devon countryside. The clockwise route gives you better views of Dartmoor as you
descend towards Lapford. I prefer the anti-clockwise route as the steepest hill, from Hawkridge Bridge to Clotworthy Farm, becomes downhill rather than uphill.
This is also a great area for walking. The Tarka Trail footpath head south from Eggesford to North Tawton and the Ridge and Valley Walk runs east to Witheridge or north to Chulmleigh. The scattered plantations of Eggesford Forest are Access Land and include Flashdown Plantation where Lord Clinton and his workers planted the first Forestry Commission trees in 1919.
The scenery is beautiful. The waters of the Taw and Yeo push northwards through higher ground, carving a landscape of flat valleys with steep, often wooded slopes. Buzzards circle over the fields and Skylarks throw their liquid melodies on sunny days. Villages perch above the valley, their church towers serving as waypoints for the traveller.
This route explores the Witheridge and Rackenford Moor, Taw Valley, High Taw Farmland and High Culm Ridges Devon Character Areas.
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This circular route from Eggesford Railway Station is a great way to visit the Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserve at Meshaw Moor. I cycled this route from Chulmleigh during BikeWeekUK. I rode back via Chawleigh (and the newly re-opened Earl of Portsmouth pub), Eggesford Station (stopping to buy veg at the Old Nog's Farm Shop) and Heywood Wood.
I didn't allow enough time to search for the rare Heath Fritillary butterflies that love these areas. I did see Meadow Browns, Painted Ladies and a Mother Shipton moth amongst the profusion of wild flowers at this Culm Grassland site.
This route explores the Taw Valley and the Witheridge and Rackenford Moor Devon Character Areas.
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Long Distance Walkers Association A link between the Tarka Trail and the Two Moors Way in North Devon. The route combines footpaths and minor lanes following the picturesque valley of the Little Dart River and the surrounding higher land. The walk is accessible by public transport at both ends.
https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Little+Dart+Ridge+and+Valley+Walk
A three mile link to the quiet country market town of Chulmleigh can be taken from just beyond Eggesford
GPS Routes Follow the valley of the Little Dart River on this lovely walk through Devon.
The walk starts at Eggesford Barton near the train station and heads towards Chawleigh and then Leigh Bridge where you join the river. The route continues to West and East Worlington before finishing at Witheridge.
http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksWalks/ridge-and-valley-walk-walking-route
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The 5C was a Stagecoach bus service that ran from Chulmleigh to Exeter via either Chawleigh or Eggesford.
It was replaced in the autumn of 2022 by the 377 service
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables
http://www.stagecoachbus.com/regional-help-and-contact/south-west
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Throughout the pilgrimage route flow the interconnected themes of prayer, work and study. St Boniface would have been familiar with these as they formed the rhythms of his life as a Benedictine monk. Prayer is reflected in the churches visited en route and also by the inclination of the pilgrim as they undertake the pilgrimage. Along the route, the pilgrim will reflect on work especially as they journey past working farm land. Study is represented by the University chapel and in the heart of the pilgrim as they grow in their understanding of God.
Route: Crediton - Exeter Distance: 12.5 - 14.5 miles / 20 - 23.5 km
https://www.devonpilgrim.org.uk/route/st-boniface/
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Monday to Saturday, hourly Live Map - bustimes.org
Bus Stops:
Chulmleigh New Health Centre (N-bound) - Chawleigh Earl of Portsmouth (SE-bound) - Lapford, opp Shelter - Lapford Cross, opp Industrial Estate - Morchard Road Devonshire Dumpling (SE-bound) - Copplestone Stone (E-bound) - Crediton opp Tesco Metro (E-bound) - Fordton Railway Station (SE-bound) - Newton St Cyres, nr Belluno - Duryard Cowley Bridge (S-bound) - Exeter Sidwell Street (Stop 40)
https://bustimes.org/services/377-exeter-crediton-chumleigh
Plymouth Citybus is part of the GoAhead Group
https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/
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