Walks discussed discussed

All the map reproductions on this page are under licence from the Ordnance Survey.  Reproductions are from the Explorer OL 28 Dartmoor map and it is illegal to copy them in any form.  Anyone who intends to carry out this walk, using the directions given, should be in possession of a current edition of that map and should be reasonably competent in navigation.  The author bears no responsibility for the safety of walkers.  Please read the important safety notice, if displayed, at the end of the article.

The walk that I am going to discuss starts at Ivybridge.  From here the route proceeds to Harford bridge, then onto the Two Moors Way as far as Spurrell’s Cross.  From here it crosses to Harford Moorgate and the village of Harford, then to Hall Farm where it leaves the road to join a footpath that leads through fields and woodland to cross Wilkey’s Moor not far from the River Erme.  It finally emerges from beneath a magnificent viaduct to return to Ivybridge, a total of 7 miles (11.2 Km).

This walk is is particularly suitable for walkers who are not very experienced in moorland walking and navigation, as it is almost impossible to get lost!  The entire walk is only a mile or so from ‘civilisation’ at any given point.

The main car park in Ivybridge is just off the road leading in from the A38.  Alternatively, on Sundays only, parking may be found in a little car park situated near a small bridge a short way past the roundabout on the road leading past the College towards Stowford Bridge.  There are no official parking facilities on the road to Stowford Bridge, or on the roads in the vicinity of the bridge.  It really is necessary to park in the town and walk up to the walk start start point.

Car park to Stowford Bridge map.

The walk up through the town to the start at Stowford Bridge has points of interest.  The town was mentioned first around 1280, when it was referred to as ‘ Dowry land by the Ivy Bridge, so the town has been around for a long time.  

As you make your way up through you will see the large chimney of the Wiggins Paper Mill. This mill was in production and a major employer in the area during the Industrial Revolution.  During the war the mill produced paper for the Bank of England notes.

As you continue up the hill you will see on your right the Community College.  This college started as a mixed Comprehensive school, which over the years has developed into a leading Community College that now specialises in Sports, Science, Mathematics and Languages.

Soon after passing the college you will arrive at a road junction, on the opposite side of which is a railway bridge (Stowford).  Cross the bridge and you will see a road in front of you, at the entrance to which on the right, is a large Dartmoor National Park sign showing the start of the Two Moors Way.  

Car park to Stowford Bridge route.

The Ivy Bridge (not the original pack horse bridge).

Stowford Bridge - Marker stone map.

Walk up the road until you come to a group of houses on the left. Just past the first house you will see a narrow lane on your right.  Turn into this lane and after a short distance you will come to a wide rough track on the left.  Take this track (The Two Moors Way), which now runs uphill for just under a kilometre to arrive at a moorgate.  Pass through the gate onto the open moor and having cleared the rough area near the gate, walk up a track on a bearing of 043º to reach and join a broad track at a point where there is a cairn and stone to one side. On your map you will see this point shown as the  Marker Stone.  

The broad track you are  on, although known now as the Two Moors Way, is in fact an old disused tramway that runs from a disused quarry that lays to the south of Western Beacon up to the old Red Lake China Clay Works.  There is another marker stone a little south of Red Lake.  Possibly these were to mark points at which extra horses were required (or could be dispensed with).

The Two Moors Way utilises much of this old tramway, until it leaves it at a point just south of Redlake.

You, on this walk however, are going to see very little of the Two Moors Way, so just walk a few paces to where the track turns to the left and look for a less defined narrow track that runs up the hill on your right.

Stowford Bridge - Marker stone route.

If you can’t find the track don’t bother to much.  Look up ahead on the hill and you will see and you will see a low saddle between Weatherdon Hill and Butterdon Hill. Aim for the centre of this ( around 018º) and walk up over to arrive between two cairns.  Now look down and slightly on the left you will see a large mass of rock.  This is Hangershell Rock and your track is now down towards it. Don’t aim straight for it, but rather make for a point about 100 metres to the east.  Once you reach this point, look on you right for a Cairn and a Cist.

Now walk down and get a close up look at Hangershell Rock. As you can see from the picture below. It’s quite a large chunk of rock and with care you can climb to the top for an even better view.  Having explored the rock, go down to the wide track of the Two Moors Way and walk in a northerly direction for just under for 700 metres. You should be just at the end of a stone row on your right.

Turn left to face west, look for a boundary stone about 150 metres away and walk over to it.

Hangershell Rock viewed from the Two Moors Way.

Marker Stone - Spurrell’s Cross route.

Marker Stone - Spurrell’s Cross map.

Spurrell’s Cross - Harford map.

Having reached the boundary stone face west and start walking across the moor on a bearing of 252º.  You are now heading towards Harford Moor Gate, a distance of just over 1¼ Km.

After about 500 metres you may find the ground wet.  If you look at the map you will see that this is due to a spring which runs from this point down to a small reservoir that lays to the southwest. If necessary, head up to the north a little to clear it.

Carry on now to arrive at Harford Moor Gate, on the far side of which you will see a small car park.  Pass through the gate and walk down the lane which leads to Harford, a rather scattered village.  At the end of the lane you will arrive at a T junction, turn right and walk on to reach the church on your right.

The church of St. Petroc was originally an ancient Saxon moorland chapel, said to be dedicated to the Celtic St. Petroc, and is well worth a look inside if it is open.  The wagon roofs have carved ribs and bosses, and there are interesting memorial plaques and brasses, including one for a former Speaker of the House of Commons who resided in Harford.

However, should you decide not to investigate further, the exterior surroundings offer a good place to enjoy a coffee break.

Harford - Wilkey’s Moor map.

Leaving Harford Church, continue walking north and after a very short distance the lane turns sharply left and drops down to cross the River Erme at Harford Bridge.

It almost immediately turns sharp left for a short distance before turning right again.  After 500 metres you will arrive at Hall Farm on your right.  On the left, opposite the entrance to the farm, you will see a public footpath which you must now take.  A short distance down this path you will first cross a small tributary of the Erme, and then a second one over a footbridge to emerge into a field.

Walk up over the field towards the top right hand corner (162º) and pass through into the next field.  You will find a fenced plantation on you left hand, which you must follow until a gate is reached.  Pass through the gate and enter the forest.  If you cannot find a track then walk down on a bearing of 144º, to arrive near the bottom left corner of the plantation.  Now pass out of the plantation onto a path that crosses Hanger Down for a short distance to emerge through a gate onto Wilkey’s Moor.

You immediately have two options, either to carry on in the same direction over the moor, or to turn sharp left and descend to follow the bank of the River Erme through Kings Gutter.  If you choose the latter, be prepared to follow a very rough track that will involve scrambling over boulders.

Spurrell’s Cross - Harford route.

Harford - Wilkey’s Moor route.

Wilkey’s Moor - Ivybridge map.

Whichever route you choose, you will end up at the same place, the railway viaduct that carries the line across the Erme Valley.  This magnificent curved viaduct was built in the Victorian era to replace the original Brunel structure built in1843.  The Brunel viaduct was constructed of stone pillars with a timber top structure that carried the original broad gauge South Devon railway.  The remains of the supporting pillars can still be seen today in Longtimber Woods which adjoin Pithill Wood.

The track over Wilkey’s Moor passes a disused quarry, then Pithill Farm, another disused quarry while skirting Henlake Down, before emerging from under the viaduct onto Station Road.

The riverside path follows the twists and turns of the Erme as it tumbles over boulders on its way to Ivybridge.  At its finish it allows exit on to Station Road, a little lower down from the viaduct.

For both routes follow Station Road back to the car park.

Wilkey’s Moor - Ivybridge route.

The viaduct at Ivybridge viewed from the Stowford side

The Erme flowing through Longtimber Woods.

Thank you for reading this page.  If you try this walk I hope that you enjoy it

Mireman.