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Drake's Trail Walking Spur 2 - Meavy to Burrator - 4.7 miles
Grade
ModerateType
WalkDescription
Drake's Trail Walking Spur 2 - Meavy to Burrator - 4.7 miles This route starts in the charming village of Meavy, with the local pub - the Royal Oak, having the distinction of being owned by the local Parish Council, with a proportion of the rent paid on the pub being invested back into the local community. The walk then follows part of Drake's Leat, which was built in 1591. The original source for Drake's Leat sits deep underneath the brooding surface of Burrator Reservoir. Flowing for 18 miles, fresh water flowed from Burrator to Plymouth in a trench some 6 feet wide. The route was skilfully surveyed so that water did not flow too quickly and erode the soil banks. The leat was not granite lined until the 19th Century. The route climbs above Burrator Reservoir, taking in spectacular views of the Reservoir itself and back towards Plymouth Sound and the sea. The route is mainly on firm off-road surfaces, with some muddy field sections, particularly after rain. There are a number of gradual and long climbs and descents on the route.
Walk Waypoints
- 1 Start at Meavy Village Green near the old oak tree.
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2
Pass Meavy School on your right. Go through the gate opposite the junction and follow yellow discs to Burrator Dam.
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3
Go through a series of gates - remember to close each gate - and take the left fork as the path splits.
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4
Walk along Drake's Leat. Look for more information on the stone wall. At the end of the path, take the left fork that emerges onto the road.
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5
Walk past Burrator Dam and continue straight ahead.
- 6 Take a sharp left onto the cycle path.
- 7 Look out for some steps on your right, and climb them to the old railway line, turning right at the top.
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8
Enjoy the view over Burrator Reservoir.
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9
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10
- 11 At the end of the path after crossing over a road, turn left onto the small road.
- 12 Turn left into the car park and exit onto the path to your right, between two granite stones, gradually away from teh trees on your left.
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13
On a clear day you will see Plymouth Sound in the distance which is the scene of one of Drake's finest naval achievements.
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14
Keep walking downhill until you have telegraph poles on your right. Continue until the last pole and then on past a water trough. Turn left onto the former railway line.
- 15 Continue to walk along the old railway line until reaching steps. Descend and retrace your earlier path back to Meavy.
- 16 On reaching the road, turn right, walk past Burrator Dam and after around 70m fork left down the track. After 150m bear right following the track along the leat.
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17
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18
The path will merge with another, continue ahead along the main path.
- 19 At the end of the path take the road opposite for 300m to the centre of Meavy.
