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Distance:
5.5 miles
Map: Dartmoor Outdoor Lesiure
No.28
Grid reference at start: SX661877
Starting point: Car park at Scorhill
Farm
The
story: Mariners’ Way is an ancient trackway supposed to have
taken its name from the sailors who founded it. After signing off
a boat in Dartmouth, they would trek across the peninsula to sign
on with another boat at Bideford.
How to start: Walk back along the road from Scorhill Farm.
Bear right at the lane junction to the hamlet of Berrydown then
continue for about half a mile until you see a yellow waymarked
signpost for Mariners' Way on the right after a block of trees.
At the first clearing bear half right along a path that begins to
descend steeply. This is an area that has a lovely display of bluebells
in the Spring. When you reach the river turn right along the riverside
path until you reach a footbridge. Cross and climb a steep path
to a broad drive at the top.
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| The
view from Batworthy Corner |
Turn
left at the metalled road and after 20 yards turn right, following
the Mariners’ Way towards Frenchbeer. The walking is level for a
while, and a good area for wild flowers, but at a T-Junction you
need to go left, downhill over very slippery rocks.
At
the bottom by the Mariners' Way timber house, bear right through
a gate for Frenchbeer.
Pass through another gate to enter a long meadow. Keep the hedge
on the right and climb to the top right hand corner of the field.
There is a stile, concealed by rhododendrons, which lies beyond
a stream.
After this there
is a short woodland walk. At the top there is a gate through which
the footpath passes. There is a sign "Beware of the Bull," but hopefully
he is occupied elsewhere. There is a boggy bit after this. After
crossing this you will clamber over another stile and cross two
small meadows.
The path leads into open country with views to the south and east.
There is then a short section of enclosed path that leads to the
thatched farmhouse of Frenchbeer. This is where you leave the Mariners'
Way and turn right up a steep metalled road, which levels out after
the cattle-grid and just a short distance further on is the open
moor.
Turn right and head across the moor towards Frenchbeer Rock, from
which there are magnificent views, including Castle Drogo. Continue
in the same direction to Middle Tor and then to Kestor Rock, which
is an even higher vantage point to enjoy the views.
From Kestor make
for Batworthy Corner and follow the wall to the North Teign river.
There are two clapper bridges, Teign-e-ver and Wallabrook. Teign-e-ver
Bridge leads onto an island where the river divides. Leave the island
by the other bridge and make for Scorhill Circle to the north.
Take the winding track that passes to the right of the monument
(a Dartmoor stone circle that has never been restored). This leads
to a broad mouthed intake which leaves the moor and brings you back
to your car.
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