Totnes to Dartmouth, South-west England, Devon

A roller-coaster walk. From tranquil river banks to hilltop villages, then back down to quiet creeks, this varied ramble incorporates ever-changing scenes.  Stopping the night at Fingals (see Staying nearby) would make this a perfect two-day expedition of four or five miles a day. Follow the link below for directions and points of interest.

Start Totnes centre. Ample car parking.

Essentials Overall 7 hours but Day 1 typically 4.5 hours. Day 2 2.5 hours.  Planning Within reason, you can choose where you stop at end of Day 1. Terrain Meadow and woodland; shoreline; mud.

Finding the way From Tourist Information Office in The Plains, go south along New Street. Follow signposted detour round new development on river’s edge and soon enter factory yard. Keep to right-hand side, climb wooded steps to stile and continue along lower edge of pasture with river left. Walk through woodland and more fields, close to river for 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to quarry, then ignore path left and continue (yellow arrows) up steps, bearing left to gate and field, Descend into dip, climb to track and continue left along track to cross stile and brook, then in 0.25 miles (0.4 km)  take footpath right, signposted Ashprington. Climb steeply to wood, fork left to road and turn right down into village. Pass church and post office and descend towards Bow. At low tide, a short cut is to turn left at Stepps Cottage to cross Bow Creek via stepping stones. Otherwise, continue to Bow Bridge, cross Harbourne River and follow creek past Waterman’s Arms. Enter Tuckenhay, then beyond Millhouse Farm turn left to cross bridge. In 50 yards (45 m) follow path left alongside Bow Creek for 0.25 miles (0.4 km)  to a T-junction of tracks. Drop down left to proceed along shoreline for further 0.5 miles (0.8 km). Leave creek, bearing right up wooded valley, path becoming a track and, shortly, curve right to reach Cornworthy Court. Pass through farmyard to road, bear left past church, then head steeply uphill, signposted East Cornworthy. At Longland Cross turn left, then in 0.75 miles (1.2 km) descend into village. Walk past East Cornworthy Barton, then almost opposite steps in stone wall, cross stile on left to follow shady path to further stile. Keep ahead across hillside, cross stile in hedge, descend steps and cross driveway and stream to road and turn left. After 220 yards (200 m) you have choice of routes to reach Red Lion, Dittisham. If low tide, take footpath along creek edge (may be slippery), locating slipway on reaching moored yachts, which climbs between walls to join Lower Street. Turn left by cottages, walk up steps past St George’s church to pub. Otherwise, country lane into village and pub. From Red Lion, walk along The Level towards Lower Dittisham; at Manor Road turn right up Rectory Lane. At Old Rectory (tarmac ends) turn right up steep track, then left over stile in 220 yards (200 m) to follow track below woods. At top of field, cross stile, follow hedge on right to waymarked stile and turn left along metalled lane. Pass fire beacon and Bozomzeal, then where tarmac ends bear half-right through field gate and descend diagonally to further gate and follow track to opening with five gates. Take main bridleway right between hedges, descend for 220 yards (200 m) before turning left through gate to head steeply downhill on path beneath trees. Cross stream, join track and descend for 0.6 miles(1 km) to pass Old Mill Boatyard to tarmac lane. Go to T-junction, left across bridge, up steep lane (Old Mill Lane) to outskirts of Dartmouth. Continue through housing estate along Mill Crescent, turn right along Archway Drive, then left to main road. Cross, walk down to quayside and turn right along promenade to town centre.

Return By river April – October take a river cruise (75 minutes) to Totnes. Get the time of the last sailing, rarely later than 5.30 pm, but can be 12. Timetable from tourist office, 01803 863168. By bus direct service to Totnes, Western National No 89: last bus leaves 4.45 pm (Sun and bank holidays 5.50 pm).

Points of interest

• Ashprington, Bow Bridge, Dittisham and Dartmouth.

 Staying nearby 

Fingals country hotel, Dittisham. Just over halfway. Those who love it really love it; those who want everything just so may be disappointed. It’s a relaxed, country house party style place where guests normally share tables in the panelled dining room. Owner Richard Johnson will advise on logistics.  01803 722398; Richard@fingals.co.uk