Synopsis: Peaceful and tranquil forest walking, despite being between two very busy main roads. Early morning in Haldon Woods was lovely. Sweeping distant views of Dartmoor. Hennock visible on hillside.
One of the beauties of this walk is that it is virtually all downhill. Now, that’s something that one doesn’t often experience. If you’re sceptical and would like to see the evidence for yourself, view the ‘Elevation’ profile for this walk on the Ordnance Survey GetAMap web site (the ‘OS 1’ link above).
Not far into my walk there is a scenic view of the trees of Haldon Forest, a view that I’d taken as a photograph in the snow during last winter. I thought I’d take it again, just for comparison as much as anything. I feel both pictures have their merits, but the warmth and sun I experienced today was most welcome after the long cold winter we’d just had.
Haldon Forest - notice reads "Huskies' Exercise Area"
I walked along a track parallel with the lane until I reached my path into the trees. A notice at this point talks of this being a “Huskies exercise area”. I wasn’t too sure what was meant by that, as what makes that different from any other type of dog exercise area? I continued regardless and came across no huskies.
Haldon Forest - point at which busy A380 is crossed
I wasn’t quite sure how to get to my footpath which I knew to be the other side of the busy A380. I could see and hear the cars speeding along this carriageway, so I broke off from the track I was on and entered into the trees at the point my GPS indicated was correct for me to do so. As soon as I came through the trees there was a footpath sign visible across the road, so all that was required was a careful negotiation of the traffic and I would be on my way again.
Haldon Forest - Harcombe House and chalet village
It didn’t take long before I’d left the roar of traffic behind and I was in a peaceful woodland setting with bird song all around. I could see Harcombe House on the hillside opposite, seemingly skirted by a chalet village. I hadn’t known it was there till seeing it today, as it’s tucked high in the neck of the valley and probably isn’t visible from the crest of the hill. I read from this photo on Geograph that Harcombe House is owned by the Firemens’ Benevolent Fund and the chalets are used as holiday lets.
Haldon Forest - row of lime kilns
I came across this impressive bank of three or four lime kilns on my walk. Not the most usual place to find such things, as they’re normally close to a water course, as this is what would have been usually used to transport the limestone and coal to the kilns for the heating process that turns the limestone to quicklime in readiness for spreading on the land.
Looking back towards Chudleigh
I did wonder whether there were any paths into Ugbrooke Park just past Chudleigh, but there most definitely are not. All along the edge of the lane I walked, that tracked the perimeter of the park, was a stone wall and gates topped with barbed wire. Evidently one is not supposed to enter the park by this route, which is rather a shame, as it could have made a nice extension to my walk. I’ll have to visit Ugbrooke Park by more orthodox methods of entry on another day.
Just beyond Gappah - Looking towards Chudleigh Knighton across A38
Just after Gappah my way branched right from the lane picking up a path into a field. Not far along this path was a nice shady spot under a tree with a view of Chudleigh Knighton below and peaked by the hills of Dartmoor in the further distance. Unfortunately the A38 cuts through this valley, but this didn’t unduly spoil the quality of the rural setting that I chose to make my lunch stop.
This walk was really quite a delight, and especially nice to discover being as it is right on my door-step. There were quite a few wildflowers to be seen today, as spring is now well underway. The day proved a refreshing escape from the city, and was especially enjoyable on such a warm and sunny day.
Walk Statistics:
Total Distance: 9.4 miles
Moving Time: 3hrs 26min
Stopped Time: 27min
Total Ascent: 223 metres
Maximum Elevation: 245 metres
Buses: X38 & X39
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