Active Devon > Walking in Devon > Long Distance Walking Trails in Devon > Devonshire Heartland Way > Okehampton - North Tawton
Distance: 13.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
End points:
- Okehampton (Grid Ref SS590945)
- North Tawton (Grid Ref SS664017)
The Trail's western terminus is at Okehampton Station, on the very edge of Dartmoor.
After following the valley of the East Okement, one of Okehampton's twin moorland rivers, the route crosses a quiet countryside on a succession of footpaths and minor lanes, the influence of the moor gradually becoming less noticeable.
There are no settlements of any size until Sampford Courtenay is reached, a village renowned for its picturesque qualities.
Passing the idyllic location of Honeychurch, the route then crosses the valley of the River Taw to arrive at North Tawton, an historically important market town.
Mileage between towns on route:
Okehampton-Sampford Courtenay: 8 miles
Sampford Courtenay-Honeychurch: 1.75 miles
Honeychurch-North Tawton: 3.75 miles
Public Transport: Buses at Okehampton, Sampford Courtenay and North Tawton; trains at Okehampton [seasonal].
Relevant maps/guides: 1:25,000 scale:Explorer no.113 Okehampton 1:50,000 scale:Landranger no.191 Okehampton and North Dartmoor.
Facilities along route: All facilities at Okehampton and North Tawton, pub at Sampford Courtenay.
Notes on route: A couple of steady climbs of 50-60m/165-200 feet, otherwise reasonably level.