Lydford - High Down - Doetor Common - Wilsworthy Camp - Lydford Viaduct

David Simkins

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The walk starts and ends in the village of Lydford, which is perhaps best known for the Whiteladies Waterfall, part of the National Trust Lydford Gorge site that attracts many thousands of visitors every year. This walk, which starts in the middle of the village, goes in the opposite direction. In fact it is quite likely you will not meet anyone walking the path with you. The walk takes you out and back across the A386, so do be careful when crossing this busy road. Crossing the River Lyd, the route takes you also to the long since abandoned Doetor Farm. Walking through the farm, you might dwell on the harshness of life for the moorland farmer back when this farm was in use.

After going through the farm you will step out onto the open moor and follow a vague path uphill until you reach the MoD firing range of Wilsworthy, marked by red and white posts. We follow the posts without crossing them, which you are not allowed to do if the red flags are flying. The route follows them for quite a long way. There are a couple of streams to cross and a bit of a bog, but you can't say you have walked the moors unless you have navigated over a stream and bog. The route takes you back via Lydford Viaduct, topped by a disused railway line. In the summer months it's not all that easy to see but is quite an impressive structure. This is an easy walk with no major hills.

England - South West England - Devon - Dartmoor

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Castle, Church, Flowers, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Industrial Archaeology, Moor, National Trust, Pub, River, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland