Plan your trip
WALK HERE
Turn to Walk 2 at the back of this magazine for our 11¼-mile route sampling eastern Dartmoor.
GETTING THERE
Our route starts from the car park by St Winifred’s Church in Manaton (donation £1, nearest postcode TQ13 9UJ). The village is a 15-minute drive northwest via country roads from the A382 at Bovey Tracey, which lies 2 miles off the A38 Devon Expressway. Bus 271 from Newton Abbot station (the ‘Haytor Hoppa’) serves Manaton on summer Saturdays (www.bit.ly/haytor-hoppa).
WHERE TO STAY
Country Walking enjoyed a restful stay at the remote Two Bridges Hotel (pictured) near Princetown, which can surely lay claim to the best pre-breakfast walk in Devon. The famously enchanting Wistman’s Wood is practically on the doorstep of this characterful coaching inn by the West Dart River, dating back to 1794. Its 32 spacious rooms combine traditional charms with modern comforts. A night’s stay for two sharing an en suite ‘Country Double’ or twin room costs from £129 (01822 892300; twobridges. co.uk). For a cheap and cheerful hostel break nearby, try YHA Dartmoor, where beds in a bunkroom cost from £15pn or
WHERE TO EAT
Our route passes just the one pub: Manaton’s dog-friendly Kestor Inn. This recently refurbed freehouse has an appetizing assortment of light bites and pub favourites on the menu, including gin battered fish and chips, plus a brace of local ales on pump (01647 221626; thekestor.com). Further on there’s the Woodland Café at Becky Falls, ideal for an ice cream stop (admission charge applies to waterfalls: beckyfalls. com). You could also adapt our route into a longer walk from nearby Lustleigh, home to the excellent Primrose Tearoom and thatched Cleave Inn.
MORE INFORMATION
For a wider choice of tempting tea rooms and cosy inns on Dartmoor, plus the latest travel advice, head to visitdartmoor.co.uk or call the local tourist information centre at Bovey Tracey (seasonal): 01626 832047