Synopsis: A long overdue return to Dartmoor. Practice dry run of a potential cycle ride. Used the summer-only “Haytor Hoppa” bus service to reach start of walk. Occasional steep slopes but generally easy going.
Some time ago I had made some preliminary explorations for a possible cycle ride from Hound Tor to Bovey Tracey. I’d put together what I thought was the best route and today was a dry-run walk of the route to check the terrain. The outcome was that I finished the day knowing that this was a very family-friendly, if challenging, mountain bike cycle route, one that should be a lot of fun. As a result of confirming the suitability of the course I’ve re-plotted the route as a GPS route, which can be viewed on Ordnance Survey GetAMap as the Hound Tor to Bovey Tracey ‘Cycling’ Route. Use the ‘Export’ function from here to obtain copy of cycle route for use with your GPS device.
Harefoot Cross - bus stop
I caught a bus to Bovey Tracey from where I was to then catch the Haytor Hoppa bus to get me to my start point which was to be the bus stop at Harefoot Cross, not far from Hound Tor. All went to plan, and I was walking by 10:23 which was right on schedule. For the potential cycle ride this would be the point at which bikes would need to be dropped from where a car would be returned to Bovey Tracey and then the same bus journey as I used today would be used to return to this cycle-start point.
Country Bus 271 "Haytor Hoppa" passes me after visiting Widecombe. Thumbs up from driver.
As an aside, the driver of the Country Bus Haytor Hoppa bus told me that he would look out for me, as he would be passing me shortly, as, after dropping into Widecombe, he would then be returning to this point to drive in the direction of Moretonhampstead, passing Hound Tor. I got this photo as he drove past me, the friendly driver giving me a thumbs-up as he went.
Bonehill Rocks - good family climbing area
It did feel good to be back on Dartmoor. I don’t believe I visited the moor for a walk at all in the previous year, partly because I was concentrating on walking the South Devon Coast Path during last summer. This, combined with the fact that Dartmoor is virtually inaccessible by public transport during the winter months, meant that this was a long overdue and very welcome return to the moor. The wide open space and tranquillity of the place was so refreshing to experience once again. I must try to get up here more often this year.
Looking back towards Hound Tor from medieval settlement
After skirting Hound Tor and the countless families crawling over it, I descended in the direction of the medieval settlement that lies within the shadows of Hound Tor. This is the most impressive ruined medieval settlement that exists on Dartmoor as the building and general layout can be clearly seen.
View point - looking towards Haytor
A little further along from here there is a view point that’s worth a small detour. From this view point can be seen Haytor and the Haytor granite mine workings that exist behind the tor. This is one of the best views that can be had of the extensive mine workings that once produced the stone to build London Bridge.
Clapper bridge over Becka Brook
From here the track descends very steeply towards Becka Brook. This section may, when it comes to cycling, be a get off and push stretch. At Becka Brook there is a small clapper bridge that I must cross to continue along my way. There is a very boulder-strewn stretch from the bridge that once again could be another get off and push cycle stretch, but it’s not long before the going gets much easier.
Hound Tor and Greator Rocks
There were some fine views back towards Hound Tor and Greator Rocks along this next stretch of the track. The track climbed gradually till levelling out and joining with a road at which I turned right and followed this to the point of entry into Yarner Woods, a place at which a small white cottage stands in the neck of the valley.
Entrance to Yarner Woods
I entered just a little way into Yarner Woods and found a cool and shady position at which to eat my lunch. It was a little early, but I was hungry, so that’s my excuse. Few people seem to get to the upper-reaches of Yarner Woods, the car park being towards the lower corner of the wood, so I was left in total solitude to eat my lunch.
River Bovey skirts Pullabrook Woods
I then crossed the rather busy B3382 road and entered a track not far from a car park which has spectacular views over Houndtor Woods and Pullabrook Woods. The track ran along the side of the Pullabrook Woods. I did accidentally drop too low for the intended cycle route, which should be along a higher track which I subsequently back-tracked to confirm its course. The advantage of accidentally dropping down too far was that I caught a sight of the River Bovey which looks beautiful along this stretch of its course.
Cycleway along disused railway - avenue of beeches freshly in leaf
After leaving Pullabrook Woods by a car park, my way followed a lane for quite some distance, that passed under a couple of old railway bridges. Eventually I reached a point where it’s possible to climb up onto the disused railway track and followed the course of this in the direction of Bovey Tracey. I noticed how beautiful the beech trees were that lined the route of the old disused railway.
Bovey Tracey - park by the River Bovey
Eventually the disused railway track meets the busy A382. At this point, after crossing the road, it was possible for me to enter into the corner of the Bovey Tracey park that runs along the banks of the River Bovey. This was a pretty and tranquil place to be walking. Some boys were having great fun jumping into the river, which presumably was quite cooling. On a day as hot as this had been, I was nearly tempted to join them.
A great day’s walking, and certainly plenty of potential as a cycle route. I need to attempt to talk my daughters Helen and Laura into doing it. They’re usually up for this sort of thing, so I’m hopeful I can pull this off.
Walk Statistics:
Total Distance: 10.4 miles
Moving Time: 3hrs 46min
Stopped Time: 42min
Total Ascent: 302 metres
Maximum Elevation: 404 metres
Buses: D, X39 & 271 (Country Bus “Haytor Hoppa”)
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