November Walk:

On Thursday 20th November a group of 12 set off to enjoy a rapidly rearranged Belstone walk. Following dire warnings about the weather for the previous 24 hours and threats of snow, we were worried as to what the conditions might be like. The roads were all fine and there was the lightest of dustings of snow in Belstone and on the tops. It must be said some of the cars arriving at the car park for their walks, showed evidence of a heavier fall of snow not very far away.  The temperatures were cold, but this was only really apparent on the sections of the walk where we lost our shelter and had to brave the chilling breeze. It was bright throughout and when the sun came out it illuminated the whole panorama.

The group followed the main path by the river to the east of Belstone Common, then tackled a long steep path tracking the Irishman’s Wall ( so called after the Irish labourers who were believed to have built it ) to the top of the ridge, before enjoying a well-earned coffee break on Higher Tor. In the climb down we did feel the effects of the icy wind, but we worked our way back along the valley of the East Okemont river before dropping down to our picturesque picnicking spot by the footbridge, which brought back memories of warmer days. After lunch the group particularly enjoyed the beautiful river path that leads to Okehampton. The first section needed a bit of scrambling but the occasional shafts of sunshine dappling across the water were lovely. Having crossed and recrossed the A30, various minor roads and footpaths led us back to the starting point.

October Walk:

Fourteen of us had a lovely autumnal walk today with splendid weather. It was a bit misty to start but then clear later on when we were able to admire some lovely autumn colour, trees and bracken. Temperature was perfect for walking. After the stone circle and crossing the North Teign we walked up the triple stone row and across to Kestor rock for our coffee stop. Wonderful views. Some ventured to the top of the tor to view the rock basin of which there are several on Dartmoor. After that we went to Middle tor, Frenchbeer Rock and then on the Mariners Way which is also the 2MW to Teigncombe where we sat on a bank for lunch, again with stunning views. En route I made sure everyone inspected all the different varieties of fungi we came across.  So interesting and some very beautiful. Steep downhill after lunch to the North Teign river and steep back up through an atmospheric, mossy wood past Gidleigh Tor. At this point we realised the walk was going to be rather short- 6 miles - so I offered an extension but we all copped out and headed back to the cars. Apologies for my faulty measurement. I can only think that my dividers had got squeezed while I was measuring the route. Hopefully someone will sent some good photos of the fungi.

September walk: Unfortunately the weather was a bit worse than predicted, unless we just misread the forecast which is possible. We had mist and heavy drizzle blowing horizontal the entire walk.  In a way that was lucky as we could hide behind the enclosure walls at Grimspound for coffee stop while the rain blew over the top of us and then the remains of stone walls at Vitifer tin provided a bit of shelter for lunch. I shortened the walk by omitting the Challacombe circuit so walked 6 miles in the end. Started at Shapley Common, Hookney tor, Grimspound, Vitifer tin mine and back the same way to Headland Warren farm, (omitting Birch Tor) then up the path to meet the 2M way, up some more and then a relief to walk downhill back down to the cars.There are some interesting remains of stone enclosures on the route to the car park. Luckily there were so many hills I think most of us stayed reasonably warm. Not sure everyone would see it that way re; the amount of climbing. I have a friend who enjoys those conditions on the moors, not the rain  but all that atmospheric mist. 

August Walk: Otterton and Ladram Bay Thursday 21 August 2025 An intrepid group of 19 walkers set off from Otterton in bright and sunny conditions tracking down the west side of the River Otter by the nature reserve. We crossed the river and made the gentle climb to reach our coffee stop with great views over Budleigh Salterton.  We then followed the South West coastal footpath to Ladram Bay.  At our lunch stop at the bay we shared the beach with a large number of holiday makers. The sun encouraged some of the group to venture into the sea and others decided for the more laid back option of ice cream! After lunch we followed the path detour and made our steep and long climb out of the bay, where we grateful for the shade of the trees. It was then a matter of zigzagging across country before rejoining the River Otter further upstream and following that back to our start point. After what was a very enjoyable 8 mile walk the group retired to Otterton Mill for some much needed refreshments.

July 2025 12 of us drove over to Northcott Mouth in dismay because of the persistent rain and fog but luckily it cleared quite quickly once we had arrived. We started off with jackets on for protection and warmth but walking up the steep cliff from the beach we quite quickly removed layers. A bit of uphill quickly gets the circulation moving. It had cleared enough once we were up to enjoy the lovely views. In no time at all we were at Sandymouth beach cafe for coffee and cake. Another few steep downs and ups and we were at Duckpool for lunch on the beach. A few of us had to change where we had sat because of a nasty smell. I tried to convince myself it was seaweed but was defeated finally. Strangely you only had to move a short way to avoid the stink! Then it was steep back up and more ups and downs before arriving at  Sandymouth cafe again. It was after half tide by now so a wide expanse of beach was exposed. Some people braved the sea while the sissies not swimming had tea/ice cream /cake etc. We had driven in two cars- swimmers in one and non swimmers in the other so the non swimmers  finished off the walk back to Northcott leaving the swimmers to have their tea and cake. The sun did not shine so the water was not so sparkling as sometimes but we were all rather hot so glad the sun did not show itself. Altogether it was a lovely day out. 

June 2025 Mike had offered to host the walk today giving Kathy a much needed break and the opportunity to mingle with the rest of the group and enjoy the chat. So 14 of us left Sourton Carpark and headed directly to Sourton Tors hanging 700ft above us. After a break to catch our breath we headed for Branscombe Loaf which was another 300ft further up bypassing a Neolithic Tomb in the process. A well-earned coffee break was had whilst enjoying views of Nth devon and much closer the Meldon Reservoir. We carried on along the Corn Ridge towards Logan Rock passing a WW2 Bomber crash site.

Due to the very boggy conditions at Logan Rock we bypassed this and enjoyed bit of a Yomp across uneven ground eventually arriving at Steng-a-Tor on which there is a lookout post to keep walkers out of the Okehampton Firing Range. A large red flag was flying meaning the range was in use today, but never the less we stopped here for our well-earned lunch break before we followed the path away from the Range and on down to the Rattle Brook Peat Production Works and then on to the now defunct Rattle Brook Railway Track. We were now on our return leg passing below Great Links Tor, Woodcock Hill, Logans Stone and Gren Tor   We passed a 2^nd bomber crash site to our right in Tiger Marsh which is incidentally the head water of the River Lyd of Lydford Gorge fame. After topping out over Lake Down we dropped down to pick up the Devon Way passing below Sourton Tor on our right and then down to the car park. The sun had shone nonstop, but there was a moderate to fresh breeze for the entire walk which despite the heat made it a comfortable walk.

General consensus was ‘a good time was had by all’

May 2025 June 19th After meeting a road closure so we had to change course poor Linda had a stressful drive cross country to Manaton. We arrived late so did not start walking till 10:30 AM. I must say she is a very good driver and did not appear stressed! Fourteen of us set out in full sun, clear blue skies and a bit of a northerly wind which kept us cool all day. Absolutely perfect. We stopped early for coffee after a long climb to the top of Hayne Down as it was either early there or late further along. " Early" always wins.Also there is a stunning view from there. From there over to Natsworthy, (past Jay's grave), then along the lane towards the three Tors- Honeybag, Chinkwell and Bell. We over lapped with a large group of  Newton Abbott Ramblers who first said their walk was 10 miles but it transpired it was 6 miles .They were surprised that some us went across the cattle grid instead of queuing at the gate. They have rules! It is a steep climb up to the tors but well worth it- 360 degree views.  (The N.A. group stayed down on the path below the tors- wimps!) We had lunch (and a rest) at Chinkwell.  After that we were entranced by wonderful brilliant indigo bluebells from the time we started through Emsworthy Mire till we reached Greator rocks.  There were carpets of them everywhere. After Greator rocks and a glance at the medieval  village it was  quite a struggle not to slip onto one's backside going down the steep and dusty path to the river Bovey. From there it was "when will we be back?" so rather a slog back to the cars as the walk ended at 8.75 miles instead of the 8 miles I had measured with my dividers.  Obviously I left out all the corners...not intentionally! Big apologies to everyone. It was a very strenuous walk. I will make sure we do not do that distance again!

Jerry has sent some lovely photos which Ian will put on the website.

April 2025 Nineteen of us set off from Manaton with a bit of drizzle which fortunately did not last long. I changed the course of the walk because I thought the steep path from Water down to the river  Bovey might be slippery and difficult. Instead we went down to Foxsworthy Bridge but even though it is such a beautiful spot it was a bit early to stop there for coffee and annoy the owners of the lovely stone and thatch cottages. We walked on up and up to Hunters Tor for our well deserved coffee stop. There were lovely views the whole way with plenty of primroses still flowering, celandines, lots of feathery blackthorn and wood anenomes in places. We then walked along the ridge and steep down to an enormous stone circle where we stopped for lunch in the sun. The next bit of the walk through Lustleigh Cleave in the woods was a bit torturous.  Although the woods were pretty with the sun shining through there were bits of bog and in places the path had vanished which was very annoying. When I looked afterwards at our track on my GPS it showed that we were on the path for most of the time veering off to the right occasionally but finding the path again.  We made it back to Foxsworthy Bridge for a short rest and drink and the owners of the cottages did not bother us. We walked back to the road where some returned to the cars while some of us carried on to Manaton Rocks and back. Only two went up the rocks for the view. The rest of us have done it before and decided once was enough and especially so as the years have passed and the climb is quite taxing and especially scary coming back down. Although the walk was only 7 miles it was quite tiring as there was a lot of up and down, more than I had remembered!

We had two new walkers, Paul and Alan. Hope to see you both again.

March 2025: Thursday 20th March saw a bumper sized group of 24 enjoy the Belstone walk that had been rejected in the place of the Upton Hellions walk a few months ago. The walkers were blessed to find a day of glorious sunshine ( a rare commodity this year). The group followed the main path by the river to the east of Belstone Common, then tackled a long steep path tracking the Irishman’s Wall ( so called after the Irish labourers who were believed to have built it ) to the top of the ridge, before enjoying a well-earned coffee break on Higher Tor. The next mission was to locate the Nine Maidens a stone circle marking the sight of a Bronze Age burial site. Despite being there at the appointed time of noon, we were not joined by any spectral visitors (noon is the time that nine maidens are said to appear each day for perpetuity as a punishment for dancing on the sabbath!) It was then a descent down to the East Okemont river for a picturesque picnicking spot by the footpath. After lunch the group particularly enjoyed the beautiful river path that leads to Okehampton. Having crossed and recrossed the A30, various minor roads and footpaths led them back to the starting point. It was a lovely walk, greatly enriched by the perfect weather and perfect company. It was lovely to have Kathy with us for the first part of the walk and we look forward to her being fully back in harness next month (maybe we will have 30 walkers then !!!)

Feb 2025 Because of the poor forecast I changed the walk location to Steps Bridge where I thought we would be sheltered from wind and rain. Twelve of us started along the north side of the Teign to the meadow at the far end where we had a coffee stop and the possibility of some shelter under the trees. It is a beautiful valley and there were a few of the wild daffodils flowering but I think the glorious display will be towards the end of March. Best  to visit on a weekday. Interestingly there were what looked like several weirs along the river which had not been there previously. They were caused by the abundance of trees which have been blown over into the river. From there  we walked to Clifford Bridge along the road and then along the south side of the river, through another beautiful meadow and valley up to the road. Uphill again to Westcott hamlet, then the lovely stone built farm Middle Heltor and down through the deciduous woods to the car park. In spite of the weather it was a lovely walk. The saving grace was that it was 12 degrees rather than the 5/6 degrees we have been having recently and we were sheltered for most of the walk.

Jan 2025

Seventeen walkers set out from Sandford in foggy, but still conditions. Although the ground was wet and there was some mud, the footpaths had stood up well to the winter’s rain. We made our way to our first stop at Upton Hellions church via  Shaky Bridge, as a nod to all those lovers of the Sandford Orchard cider of the same name. After that we traversed a combination of paths and country lanes to Haske, unfortunately the mist deprived us of what can be lovely views. There were, however, a few spasms of sunshine, which were a welcome deviation from the weather forecast. Next we cut across the fields to Shobrooke Church for lunch, where the diners found it warmer outside, than in the church itself. Following some refreshments the final phase of the journey took us through Shobrooke Park, although nobody could be persuaded to take a dip in the lake! By the time we returned to Sandford we had covered about 8.5 miles. Although the walk included no really steep climbs or descents, by the time we had finished our total ascent was not far short of what we do in our more normal moorland environment. The group seemed to enjoy doing a more local walk, just for a change.