West Devon Way - Stage 4 - Mary Tavy to Tavistock
Grade
Moderate
Type
Walk
Description
West Devon Way - Stage 4 - Mary Tavy to Tavistock - 4.5 miles
The first half of this stage meanders through undulating fields with fine views of a patchwork of sloping fields before the heights of Dartmoor. The second half of the stage follows a quiet track as it gradually descends towards Tavistock.
Following wet weather, the gate and stile areas in the field section can be muddy. There are a number of short climbs and descents near Mary and Peter Tavy, and some short steep roads on entering Tavistock.
Walk Waypoints
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1
Start at the main road in Mary Tavy (the A386). Take the track opposite Brentor Road. Follow this down to a lane and bear right.
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2
Keep ahead at the first road junction. Pass the school.
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3
At the next junction bear left. Pass Mary Tavy church and at the end of the road, take the footpath which goes down the track to the right.
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4
Take the track downhill and cross the footbridge, then climb steeply to the right-hand bend. Climb the stile on the left, then follow the wall on your right uphill to a gat. Continue with the hedge and a wire fence on your right through a gate to another gate and stile. Climb the stile and continue ahead, hedge still to the right, and descend to a gate. Pass through and now with the hedge on your left continue straight ahead across the field to a gap in the wall, then on to a stone stile. Continue across the next field to an obvious gap in the hedge, and then head for the gate next to a prominent tree to the right of the buildings. Go through the gate and down the track to reach a lane.
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5
At the lane turn left and cross Harford Bridge and the River Tavy. Take the right fork at the junction and climb the hill.
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6
At the small crossroads after 300m take the narrow lane to the right.
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7
Follow this lane for around 2 miles until it descends to meet a main road. Be very careful over the next 70m. This is a busy road with no footway. Turn right and keep to the nearside. After 70m carefully cross to the footpath.
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8
At the junction opposite the school entrance, turn left up Violet Lane.
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9
Near the top, turn right, down the hill.
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10
At the bottom, carefully cross the road to the pavement and turn left. At the next junction carefully cross the main road and bear left. Bear left again at the next junction (Dolvin Road) and follow to the bridge above Tavistock Weir.
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11
This stage ends here at Abbey Bridge, or to continue on the West Devon Way, turn right to cross the bridge, and immediately cross the road, using the crossing opposite the Post Office. After crossing, turn left and then immediately right to follow the riverside path on the right bank of the River Tavy.