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Torrington - Torridge Valley Circuit Park at the Old Bowling Green on
the Bideford Road out of Torrington. Take a green path above the A386
downhill to join the road near the Puffing Billy, the former Torrington
Station. Here take a footpath sharply on the left via a gate to a wooden footbridge. A gate leads to the newly established Tarka Trail (cycling and walking) and a second gate - the former North Devon Light Railway. Continue straight ahead up a green lane to pass Servis Farm - it can be muddy here between cattle barns. You soon reach an improving metalled lane terracing above the River Torridge and descending to Taddiport to meet the B3227. Cross the river heading uphill on the left past disused factory buildings. Reaching Common land take the footpath on the left (opposite Ferndale), soon joined by a wider track. Descend to the bed of the former canal - the Rolle Road. Turn right and walk on the high lefthand bank. At the iron bridge take steep brick steps on the right and continue uphill bearing right to a tarmac pathway. You can see the Tarka Trail crossing the river at the iron bridge and heading away towards Bideford. The pathway eventually meets the B3227. Continue straight across, turn left by the wall and head for the car park above. Cross the A386 with CARE - there are refreshments and facilities close at hand. This is an ideal family walk - there are facilities of all sorts at the car park, including a children's play area. The lower car park is set aside for dog owners - and dogs! And the whole area is 'common land' for all to enjoy. ChittlehamholtAbout 5.5 miles. A quiet walk along old tracks above the Taw Valley. Chittlehamholt lies between Umberleigh and Kings Nympton, north of the A377. You can park at the village hall and from here walk past the Exeter Inn and take a footpath on the left straight ahead, alongside fields and golf course. At the lane turn right, bearing right at the next road junction (Tarka Line rail links). At Drake's Cross take the T-junction to Spycott (half a mile). There are excellent views of the meandering River Taw from this well sheltered lane. Pass the entrance to Chapple's, continuing right at Spycott (thatched) - the old track now leads downhill. At the woods ahead take the righthand footpath steeply down the woodland - protected by the Forestry Commission. Descend two flights of steps to a bridge and make uphill on the obvious track, climbing with the hedge to your left. Go up several field edges and, at a collection of gates, take the lefthand and continue with the hedge now on your right. Soon meet the lane where you turn left. Continue, to take a footpath to the right where it crosses the lane. Follow the hedge (it is well signed) directly ahead then cross a field making for Warkleigh church tower. Turn right down the stone wall, past two large oaks, making for a hunting gate. Turn right and stay in Pool Lane for some time, passing Pool access drive. This charming green lane is firm underfoot and secluded. Pass Lambpark Copse and wind towards Oldridge Wood. At Shortridge Wood re-enter Forest Enterprise woodland. The path drops to a prominent forest trail. Continue ahead on this main track, leaving the woods to reach the county road. Turn right and you are (almost) at the Exeter Inn. These paths are excellently parked and maintained under the County P3 scheme. Bishops Nympton And Mariansleigh Circular4 miles. A hilly farmland walk crossing many streams and with expansive views across the Mole Valley. After parking in the village, take the road running due west. After half a mile at a sharp right hand bend join a track downhill to the left. Cross the farm drive and make diagonally over a large meadow to find a footbridge in the corner. Cross the 'Crooked Oak' stream. Pass a stone barn, following the tree-lined bank, to a gate. Here join Moorhouse Lane, a sheltered track climbing steeply for nearly a mile. Restful views from gateways give aspects across Bishops Nympton and South Molton and to Exmoor beyond. At the road turn right into Mariansleigh, passing the church. Shortly take a footpath on the right, follow the fence downhill and, where it turns right, make for the bottom left corner below. Go through a gate, follow the hedge to a second gate and cross the marshy meadow to a footbridge. Go left of farm buildings (Lower Radley) to the track. Turn left and soon bend sharply right for West and East Radley. Take a footpath on the right, through East Radley yard, passing the duck pond. Cross a stile, continue left of the hedge to another, then cross to a gate and continue ahead, left of a derelict building, aiming just left of the farm ahead (Westwood). There is a stile by some barns, a further gate and stile. Now cross the farm drive and another stile, making for yet more barns ahead (Eastwood). Soon meet a third footbridge and ladder stile leading to the meadow above. Take a gate, a second on the left and cross a short meadow to a stile, a final footbridge -and then climb uphill on a good track with the stony bank and woodland to your left. Follow this field edge all the way to the lane above, arriving at a gate at the head of Moorhouse Lane. Turn left for a short return to Bishops Nympton. Barnstaple - A Country Walk From The TownAbout 6 miles. Farmland and an estuary walk on the Tarka Trail Leave your vehicle in one of the car parks near the Civic Centre. Walk initially up the A39 (Lynton direction) on the left. Shortly take a road bending back and rising (Higher Raleigh). As it descends towards the church take an even sharper narrowing bend back to the right (Littabourne). Continue to the brow and just past on the left is Northfield Lane. This leads quite soon to your footpath on the right, between housing and continuing to a field, down to a wooden bridge where you cross to Anchor Mill. You are quickly clear of the town! Turn left onto the mill lane, following the leat on the left, to rise and meet the road at Bradiford. Turn right uphill (CARE!) to the brow. A little further is a footpath on the left across the green in front of houses and to a stile. Cross the field straight ahead to a second field. At the far lower corner (damp) negotiate the stream. Bear right, up the field, to a fence. Then take a new line, behind the buildings. Stay on this line for several fields making for Ashford. You meet a track, lane and at the county road turn right going steeply uphill to the church. Here bear left up the road (Heanton and Marwood). At the 'T' junction bear left again (Heanton and Braunton). Just beyond the housing take a stile on the left and bear right, across the middle of the field making for the stile central in the far hedge - just below the house. Cross a further field to the corner where the house fence meets the lane. Here there is a stile and gate. Turn left downhill passing West Ashford Barton. Cross the A361 (ENORMOUS CARE!) and go right to a former rail bridge. Cross and descend steps to the Tarka Trail - the bed of the former Barnstaple to Ilfracombe line. This leads to Barnstaple and the Riverside Walk near the Civic Centre. There are extraordinary panoramic views across the estuary and burrows - and towards Barnstaple. At low tide or sunset it is a memorable walk - a rich haven for bird-watchers. Baggy PointThis short 3 mile exhilarating walk to Baggy Point is a steep climb but rewarded with amazing seascapes. Park at Croyde Bay National Trust park for Baggy Point. Take the stile from the car park uphill across the field to the open hillside. Struggle to the very top -there is a seat. Continue over the brow and descend to a farm track. Here, at a gate, turn left along the track, through a further gate and soon take a short scramble to the right through gorse to the lower path. Turn right, crossing a marshy corner and near the sign 'National Trust - Baggy Point' branch right, ever uphill! There are more seats at intervals. The path soon becomes a wide track with a good wall on the right. At the top you meet a gate and Coast Path sign. Go right and walk up to the coastguard signal post on the cliffs. Wander as far as you wish along this northern side of the Point. Returning from the signal post go down through a fenced area towards the rocky outcrop at the Point. Here are warnings of possible HAZARDS. Again, give time for spiritual - and physical - revival. You may well see kittiwakes, gannets, shearwaters - or a seal basking below. An endless coastline stretches south westwards past Croyde to the Taw-Torridge estuary and on to Hartland. To the north projects Morte Point. And ahead lies gloomy Lundy. Descend carefully to the level path heading back to Croyde. It is firm and friendly giving good opportunity for binocular and camera activity. At the fork you met earlier go ahead along the shoreline. The path becomes a private road, then joins the lane just above the car park. The Lyn GorgeAbout 5 miles. A classic walk offering spectacular river scenery and a glimpse of the sea. Park at Hillsford Bridge on the A39 a few miles south of Lynmouth. From the car park cross the road and turn uphill to the left. Take the path straight ahead on the corner, soon leaving road and river below to your right. This climbs past an old settlement and winds above the river -at every corner giving expansive views across the gorge. There is one excellent viewpoint from a stone seat. You are in Myrtlebury Cleave looking across 1,000 acres of National Trust estate -and the path is the last few miles of The Two Moors Way, which links Ivybridge with Lynmouth. After about two miles the path swings south. Follow signs for Lynbridge and Lynton. Eventually a zigzag path descends to the West Lyn, to cross at Lynbridge. Turn right and shortly take a narrow lane on the left towards the Youth Hostel and on into Lynton. Now make your way down to Lynmouth -by road, steps or the unusual funicular railway, gravity and water powered! At Lynmouth go through the gardens by the river bridge and take the left bank of the river, passing cottages and continuing below Wester Woods upstream. There are many bridges and paths on both sides for much of the way. However, only the left bank will lead you eventually to Watersmeet where there is a 19th century fishing lodge, a National Trust property. At Watersmeet the Hoar Oak Water meets the East Lyn. You must follow the right hand river, the Hoar Oak water -there are waterfalls and many rocky scrambles giving good views. The path winds through woodland, left of the river: Hillsford Bridge is a short mile upstream. Ilfracombe And Watermouth Cove
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