These are my top 5 walks that I love to do when in the South West area either to take the dogs out or to use on technical training course.
Meldon Reservoir – 7km, Ascent 250m (moderate navigation)
Start / Finnish: SX 567,921 Meldon Viaduct
Lunch spot: SX 562, 918 Meldon Carpark with Toilets
Parking: Free, limited to 20 ish cars
Description: from the car park head south over the stream and pass the quarry. Follow the path pass the quarry and on the right there is a footpath that leads to the reservoir. Once at the reservoir follow the path south to the other end. Follow the stream that feeds the reservoir to the footbridge on top of a weir. Head south west following a small stream and boundary, once the boundary changes direction follow this up a steep hill to the top. Once at the top there will be a junction of paths with a gate. Follow the West Devon Way path towards North East direction. About 1km down the track the path splits take the right hand footpath and you will end up at the Meldon reservoir car park. Carry on the footpath down the hill to the bottom. Cross over the large footbridge on your right and follow the stream to the Viaduct. Under the Viaduct there is a path directly under it to get to the view from the viaduct or follow the road up the hill back to the car.
Hartland Coastal path - 17km, Ascent 500m (easy navigation)
Start / Finnish point: SS 286,260 Brownsham Farm
lunch spot / Cafe: SS 233,275
Parking: National Trust Donation limited to 15 ish cars
Description: From the car park head NW down the path, once in the Brownsham woods follow stream through the wood to a footbridge. Follow the South West Coastal Footpath W to lunch spot. At Hartland point there is always a great view to be had and in the summer months there is a cafe that opens. At this point you can choose to return the way you came or make the walk a little longer. If a longer walk is your option carry on the coastal path along Blagdon Cliff. Once at the bottom of the hill (very steep) follow footpath inland to a footbridge (great place for shade and to play poo sticks). From here head back up hill to Blagdon Farm and back on to the coastal path back to the start.
Bodmin Moor - 11km, Ascent 400m (hard navigation in sections)
Start / Finnish: SX 097,775 (War meml , St Breward)
Lunch spot / Cafe: SX 086,751
Parking: Free, limited to 10 ish cars
Description: For this one see pictures attached as it would take a lot of explaining the route. There are lots of interesting things along this route and you finish at the Old Inn pub which has great food and drink.
Pentire point – 4 km, Ascent 180m (very easy navigation)
Start / Finnish: SW 936,802 (Pentire Farm)
Lunch spot / Cafe: SW 933, 798
Parking: National Trust Donation, limited to 20 ish cars
Description: from the car park head in a North East direct to the coastal path, once reached follow it west around the head land pass the “rumps” to Pentire point. Carry along the coastal path till you get to a small cove, there is an obvious path to your left that leads you back to the car park.
South West Coast Path (Penbirth) – 11km, Ascent 500m (very easy navigation)
Start / Finnish: SW 401,229
Lunch spot / Cafe: SW 371,218 Toilet at location
Parking: Free, road side but limited to about 5 cars
Description: Form the car park follow road to the beach cross the stream on the stepping stones and head west along the coastal footpath. Porthcurno has toilets, Museum, beach and the Minack Theatre if they interest you. Carry along the coastal path heading west till you get to Portgwarra it has a cafe and toilets and a funky beach at this point you can extend your walk up to the coastguard lookout station and back to the beach (1km). Then it is simple just head back along the coastal path East back to the car.
Have a go at walking one or two of the routes and let me know how you got on or what you would do differently.
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