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Buckfastleigh - Tavistock

Distance: 24 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
End points:
- Buckfastleigh (Grid Ref SX740661)
- Tavistock (Grid Ref SX482745)

Virtually every aspect of the Dartmoor landscape is encountered here. Leaving Buckfastleigh the Way follows a small wooded valley before reaching the spectacularly beautiful valley of the River Dart.

The Way continues parallel to the Dart, on moorland high above the river, before descending again to cross the river at Dartmeet.

There then follows a long lonely moorland section, leading to the atmospheric village of Princetown, high on the moor next to the famous prison.

An old railway track takes the Way out of Princetown, before it leaves this to cross another superb wooded valley and then high grass downland to arrive at Tavistock.

A walk never forgotten.

Mileages between towns on route:
Buckfastleigh-Holne: 3.75 miles
Holne-Princetown: 10.5 miles
Princetown-Sampford Spiney: 6 miles
Sampford Spiney-Tavistock: 3.75 miles

Public Transport: Buses at Buckfastleigh, Dartmeet [seasonal], Princetown, Tavistock.

Relevant maps/guides: 1:25,000 scale:Explorer no.OL28 Dartmoor 1:50,000 scale:Landranger no.202 Torbay and South Dartmoor, 191 Okehampton and North Dartmoor

Facilities along route: All facilities at Buckfastleigh and Tavistock; pubs at Holne, Hexworthy, Princetown; shops at Holne, Princetown.

Notes on route: A few substantial climbs, some rugged sections and a long remote stretch of moorland.