WAGS Rambles
We try to go for a ramble twice a month. Occasionally Dartmoor is just too wet, windy, snowy or cold to venture out. Usually we have a purpose
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to recci a new route
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to test improvements made by land managers
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to take new people out onto Dartmoor
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sometimes we just go for a ramble
September
Shipley Bridge to the Avon Dam
An easy walk for those new to the group
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On a beautiful sunny morning we followed the Avon river with its canopy of trees. We saw the naptha works in the car park and then the Hunters Stone. A little side trip up the side of the valley, gave us wonderful views to the south and then back to the river and more history as we entered what was Brentmoor House Estate. We then had views to the moor before we reached the dam wall.
Dartmoor Outdoor Festival
29 August to 5 September
WAGs led six walks for the festival
​Unfortunately the hot summer weather had ended and the walks were
held in a mix of sun and showers but a good number of people turned
out for all the walks.
Haytor. In the morning Tim Russel (Access Officer DNPA) took us on the
Miles Without Stiles route. In the afternoon we 'climbed' to Haytor.
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Drakes Trail. In the pouring rain we followed the trail through Shaugh
Tunnel and on the the viaduct.
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Belstone Loop. This was the toughest of all the walks across the moor, past
Nine Maidens and to the valleys of the East Okement and Taw rivers.
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Harrowbeer Airfield. The walk investigated the remains of the WW2
airfield and then went on the Rodborough Down
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Sandford Spiny and Pewtor. Starting at Plaster Down the walk headed to
Pewtor and then the scenic village of Sandford Spiny.
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Swell tor and Foggintor. We walked from Princetown along the old railway line
to explore the two quarries and enjoyed amazing views.
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August
Merrivale with BBC Spotlight
Filming with BBC Spotlight to discuss access on Dartmoor
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The interviews with Wags and DNPA were the main item on BBC
Spotlight on 20th August. The item was also shown on national
BBC Breakfast on 23 August. This generated a lot of interest and
many people enquiring about Wag.
July
Fernworthy Reservoir
To look at the new access works undertaken by DNPA and
Southwest Lakes
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From the car park we headed down the new path to the base
of the dam. The path has been much improved and is less steep.
We were able to go to a viewpoint by the dam wall. We then
continued round the reservoir for the first time as the path by a
gully on the north side has been improved, though it is not
recommended if you are alone on your scooter. We had lunch
in a wonderful wildflower meadow. Level 3.
From Belstone into the moor
A recci for the Dartmoor Outdoor Festival
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From Belstone carpark a few hardy scooter riders went off to the
moor, skirting round Belstone tor, Winter tor and Ladybrook tor
enjoying some if Dartmoor's wildest terrain. A level 3.5, only for the experienced!
June
Burrator again
To check the new access through the plantation
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We have been working with South West Lakes to improve access
through the plantation so we dont need to use the road. This work is
underway.
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Dittsworthy Warren
Midsummer on the moor
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We thought midsummer would be a good time to be high on the
moor but we were wrong. We braved the drizzle and mist and had a
great time at the 'Warhorse' house, a trip to the early stages of the
River Plym where we enjoyed birthday cake in the mist. Then we went
back to the car park, past the soldiers who wern't enjoying their
training in the mist and up along the track towards Eylesbarrow tin
mine which we didnt quire reach.
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May
Burrator Reservoir
A new route
​There are many routes around the north side of Burrator so this was a chance to
explore a new one and to enjoy the views
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An explore from Venford Reservoir
A new and difficult route
This new route was only attempted by a couple of intrepid explorers on
scooters plus the guides. Definitely a Level 3+ with Level 4 in places. But it
offered great views, buzzards and a challenge.
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April
A walk around Dartington Estate
An outing to a new location
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Dartington Estate is not on Dartmoor but is alongside the river Dart! A lovely
walk with lunch and birthday cake beside the river. There were good tracks
beside the river and through the woods. It also included a look at the old
estate buildings.
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Bellever Woods
A trip to an old favourite
Bellever Woods has a Miles Without Stiles route which we mostly followed. It
has wonderful views across the moor and to Bellever tor plus Bronze Age
stone rows, hut circles and kists.
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March
Princetown to Nuns Cross
A recci of an improved path
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Starting at Princetown car park we headed on a path behind the
Plume of Feathers onto the moor. The DNPA have considerable
improved the path which used to be very rough.. It was a great walk
in fine dry weather with wonderful views. Beyond Nuns Cross the
track becomes extremely rough and only accessible to experienced off roaders.
Tuesday 25 February
Burrator Reservoir
A recci and a visit to new accessible picnic tables
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Starting at the quarry car park we headed on a path up above the
reservoir with great views to the south. This avoided the cold winds
higher on the moor. We went past Norsworthy Bridge and up the track to Deancombe looking at the new picnic tables recently installed by DNPA. After lunch beside the reservoir at Longstone Manor, now derelict, we headed back over the dam.
Tuesday 14 January 2025
Yarner Wood, East Dartmoor Nature Reserve
A recci and to test new gates
Wags has visited Yarner Wood on several occasions.
We have been working with Albert Knott, the reserve
manager, to improve access around the reserve. He has
recently installed some swing gates and improved the
car park. These worked really well for the group. The ramble then tried a new route through the reserve, up the hill around the back of the reserve and then back down again.
Tuesday 10 December
Harrowbeer Airfield and Rodborough Down
A recci
Harrowbeer Airfield on the edge of Yelverton was used during WW2. It has numerous areas of hard standing, a compass base and dispersal bays. There are some interesting interpretation boards around the site.
Its most famous visitor was Harry Truman in 1945 returning from the Potsdam conference was unable to land at St Mawgan so flew into Harrowbeer. Also on the Airfield is The Rock, an interesting geological outcrop of porphyry rock which is similar to granite.
From the Airfield you can move on to Rodborough Down following a range of flat grassy paths with great view of Dartmoor to the east.
It was a chilly day with a cold north wind so we finished a bit early.
A level 2 route.
Tuesday 26 November
Stover Park and the Templar Way
Recci of a winter walk and an introduction to new ramblers
Stover Park has a tramper to hire and is a great location for people to try out a mobility scooter on flat paths. A new person to our group did this and although the scooter battery was not fully charged, it was a great way to meet the group. Another new member using a small motorised chair was also able to explore the park. The rest of the group then headed out onto the Templar Way with lunch at Ventiford Basin, negotiating the floods around Teigngrace before returning via the Stover Trail and the Canadian Forestry Corps Memorial sculpture.
This is a Level 1 walk in Stover Park but a Level 2 outside the Park as the paths can be rough and muddy.
Tuesday November 12th
Heligan to Mevagissey and return
A day out in Cornwall.
​This was the first ramble for WAGs in Cornwall
although members of the group regularly go out
with Cornwall Rolling Ramblers. We began at Heligan and then detoured through some lovely woods to enjoy the autumn colours. We then descended through the valley to Mevagissey for some excellent fish and chips. We explored both sides of the harbour, had an ice cream before returning via a different route.
This is a level 2-3 route due to the hill.
Tuesday October 22nd.
Drakes Way from Plymbridge Woods to Bickleigh Viaduct.
A recci of a new route for the WAGs
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We started at the National Trust Plymbridge
Woods car park and headed north along Drakes Trail. We had a slow but interesting walk looking at mosses, lichens and fungi along the damp walls of railway crossings. Two viaducts provided great views and excellent examples of Brunels vision. We returned the same way and some of the group then followed a path alongside the River Plym.
The Drakes Trail is a level 1 route, and the extension by the river is probably a level 3 as it can be rough and muddy. A 4 mile return route to the viaduct and another 1.5 miles along the river.
Tuesday October 8th. Bellever Forest.
To look at the new benches at Bellever Forest carpark.
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We started at the Bellever Woods car park in Postbridge and
followed the road to Bellever village and the River Dart. The rain
was heavy but the moorland experience was great. Forestry
England and DNPA have recently installed some accessible
benches and picnic tables and we wanted to give feedback.
Wheelchairs can access the tables, mobility scooters can access them from the side. We had our lunch at one to fully test it. They allow people using wheelchairs to join friends and family for a picnic.
We then continued through the forest looking at the bronze age huts, and had a quick view towards Bellever tor from the Lych Way between showers before returning to the car park.
A level 3 walk, approximately 4.5 miles
