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Old railway lines usually make great places for walking and the route of the Newton Abbot to Moretonhampstead line west of Bovey Tracey is no exception.

It's an easy-to-follow wide, level track through mixed native woodland.

The route is on an old railway line

On the way, you pass features of the old line – cuttings and bridges - and it's easy to imagine the steam train chugging its way up to the edge of the moor.

You can start the route from the centre of town by walking through Mill Marsh Park, or from the wide lay-by alongside the A382 Moretonhampstead Road, where there is parking for around half a dozen cars.

"It is a lovely walk any time of the year," said ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Devon listener Margaret Jukes.

"At the moment (May 2008), with all the flowers and trees coming into bud and the birds singing, it's extra special.

"I do it most days but I never get bored with it."

Walking through a bluebell wood

Margaret's border collie Meg and my labrador collie Bella soon made friends and headed off into the woodland on the trail of interesting scents.

You can walk along the railway line for around a mile before the track leads to the road at Wilford Bridge.Ìý

We turned left into the woods here at a signpost marked 'Parke' to reach the River Bovey and head back towards the town.

If you wish, you can continue by road to the nearby picture-postcard village of Lustleigh, where cream teas are usually available to make the extra miles worthwhile.

Margaret's favourite stretch of the walk is along the river and she often sits on one of the benches to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Margaret loves the peace and quiet on this walk

"The grandchildren have been here in the summer paddling, they love this bit," she said.

"It's so peaceful with the river just going along and the birds singing, better than all these seaside places with lots of noise.

"My favourite spot, this is - it's lovely."

In time, you pass an open field and reach Parke Bridge, a narrow stone bridge that leads into Dartmoor National Park headquarters at Parke House – it's also possible to park and access the walk from the visitor car park here.

Then it's a short stroll back to the A382, where the noise of the main road contrasts starkly with the peace and natural beauty of the river.

It's a simple straightforward route, and easy to see why Margaret never gets bored with such a tranquil spot.