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Loop route to Brentor - Accessible from Stage 3
Grade
Easy to ModerateType
WalkDescription
Loop route to Brentor - Accessible from Stage 3 This loop route visits the iconic Brentor Church which sits at the peak of Brent Tor. The Church is the symbol on the waymarking for the West Devon Way as it can be seen from much of the route. The Church of St Michael de Rupe (St Michael of the Rock), built 330m above sea level is surrounded by myth and legend. The first is that a wealthy merchant vowed to build a church on the first land he saw if he survived a violent storm at sea, and this was Brentor. The second claims that while the church was being built at the foot of the hill, the Devil would move the stones that had been laid to the top - maybe to deter worshippers from the hard climb. Another version of events is that the church was built in 1155 by the Lord of Lamerton and Whitchurch.
Walk Waypoints
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1
As Stage 3 of the West Devon Way bears left uphill onto West Blackdown, ignore the path and continue on the tarmaced lane ahead.
- 2 On meeting another road, turn right, following it as it first descends over a stream, then climbs to North Brentor.
- 3 Turn left at the T-Junction (by the War Memorial) and as the road bears right, take the cul-de-sac to the left, which turns into a public footpath signed to South Brentor. Continue to follow across a number of fields.
- 4 On reaching an unsurfaced unclassified road, turn right to reach a lane.
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5
Bear left at the lane, and follow for around 600m. On reaching a signed public bridleway at a metal gate on your right, leave the road here to climb Brent Tor.
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6
After enjoying the summit of Brent Tor, you can return to the West Devon Way by retracing your steps to teh unsurfaced unclassified country road (signed 'Not suitable for motors').
- 7 Stay on this track crossing Wortha Mill Bridge and turn right on meeting a road.
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8
Rejoin the West Devon Way just before the cattle grid, at the start of a descent into Mary Tavy.
