Trees, torrents and tors
Lustleigh Cleave meanders through a landscape steeped in Iron Age history, sweeping moorland views, craggy tors and ancient woodland trails, says Carys Matthews
Lustleigh Cleave, Devon
With its white thatched cottages, narrow leafy lanes and 13th-century church, Lustleigh is arguably one of the prettiest villages in Dartmoor.
This undulating woodland and moorland walk through the national park can be challenging, with uneven terrain and steep climbs as you venture into the heart of Lustleigh Cleave, but your efforts will be rewarded with panoramic views across the leafy Bovey Valley from the peak of Hunter’s Tor.
1 CHURCH TO TREES
Starting in the centre of the village, take the lane uphill past the church to a war memorial. Turn left and follow waymarkers beside a row of houses, then through a gate. Pass two large boulders on your right, then follow the path across the field to enter woodland.
Continue through the woods, passing a farm to reach a small country lane.
2 OVERGROWN PATHS
Head left and walk a few paces into another woodland. Be warned: this section is a little overgrown and involves a scramble over large stones.
3 HILLY WAYS
Go over a stile to leave the woodland and follow the lane uphill, crossing over a second stile. Continue your climb on the bridleway towards Hammerslake and Sharpitor.
4 NUT CRACKERS
Stick to the path, ascending through the woods beyond several large boulders until you reach the summit of Sharpitor.
A large slab of stone known as the Nut Crackers once sat on the edge of the tor but, in 1950, the stone was prised from its pivot by a vandal, sending it crashing into the valley below.
5 BOULDERS AND TORS
Carry on along this path until you reach a distinctive stack of boulders known as Harton
Chest. Spectacular views stretch out over the canopy, with Hound Tor visible in the distance on a clear day.
6 PERFECT PANORAMA
Head along Lustleigh Cleave ridge towards Hunter’s Tor, taking in impressive panoramic views of the valley. Hound Tor and St Winifred’s Church in the village of Manaton are useful landmarks. The remains of an Iron Age fort can be seen near Hunter’s Tor.
7 THROUGH THE CLEAVE
From the tor, head through a gate to begin your descent along a bracken- and fern-lined path, passing Peck Farm on your right. Head along the lane before taking a marked footpath back through woodlands towards
Foxworthy Bridge and a small group of houses.
Just before the bridge, take the marked footpath sign for ‘Hammerslake for Lustleigh’ along an undulating woodland trail through the lower Bovey
Valley. After approximately 1.6km, take a marked bridleway for ‘Lustleigh via Pethybridge’ to pass an idyllic hamlet of thatched cottages, soon returning to the village of Lustleigh for a well-earned Devon cream tea.