West Devon Way

The West Devon Way is a recreational route for walkers of 37 miles, running from Okehampton in the north to Plymouth at its southern end. The waymarked route can be divided into 8 stages with each stage starting or finishing near to a bus stop.

The West Devon Way explores the western edge of Dartmoor.

The walk is relatively easy and there are many level stretches, with a few steeper sections. The route crosses a variety of terain, and while in the summer the route is likely to be dry, in the depths of winter parts of the route can be wet and muddy.

The route is waymarked and with a copy of the directions should be straightforward to follow, though extra care should be taken across open moorland sections where waymarking is not possible. The waymarks contain a logo of the dramatic Brentor Church perched on top of its rocky outcrop. The logo is dark green on a white background outside of the National Park, and dark green on wood within the National Park, with the route directions indicated by black arrows.

There are a number of alternative and circular routes available from the West Devon Way, to extend the walking possibilities and further explore the area.

There are car parks (paying), toilet, food and drink facilities in Okehampton, Lydford, Tavistock, Yelverton and Plymouth, along with pubs at a number of village along and close to the route.

The route has been divided into 8 stages, all accessible at each end by public transport. Since car parking is very limited along the route, the use of public transport is recommended. For up to date services and bus times call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.traveline.org.uk

The route meets the Two Castles Trail at the northern end, and follows the same route as the Dartmoor Way between Okehampton and Tavistock. The route can be linked to the Tamar Discovery Trail by using the Plymouth Cross-City Link walk. At its southern end it links with the South West Coast Path and Erme-Plym Trail.

The route can even be linked as part of a grand 100 mile circuit around western Devon with the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail and Two Castles Trail.