Chamor one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Enjoyable walk. Would be 5* but for an essential 400 metres along the unpaved B3212 between Bughead cross and Thorns Cross. The road is however wide and straight. There is a short section of it with no grass verge. Not too much traffic when I walked it. The rest of the route is excellent.

I really wanted to help this route on its way to a snail but unfortunately I feel the section along the B3212 is just too dangerous for a published walkers' route. It is about 500m with no verge, tall hedges right at the edge so no real refuge from passing cars. The road goes from Moretonhampstead to Princetown and is one of the main routes onto Dartmoor. Car drivers are clearly not expecting to see walkers at the side of the road.

Other than that, the walk follows some single track Devon lanes where once again you will encounter cars. We were passed by a procession of vintage tractors on a rally. But don't get me wrong, much of this route is really beautiful using some lovely footpaths. There is a section of the Dartmoor Way and a stunning stretch across the moorland above Middlecott.

So 5* in sections, brought down to 3* because there is too much road walking. It's a shame. I have scoured the map and I can't see an alternative route between two attractive tourist towns about 3 miles apart as the crow flies.

I walked this from Chagford to Moretonhampstead. Public transport links to Chagford are limited but there are more buses to/from M’hampstead, including a bus to/from Chagford twice a day. It’s about 1.5 hours walk so doable there & back even.
Both Chagford & M’hampstead are worth visiting - very pretty, with a choice of local shops, cafes, pubs, galleries etc.
The route follows very quiet lanes & footpaths for the most part, although there is a short section on a B-road with no pavement. However, this is wide with good visibility & was fairly quiet also.
It is not fully accessible, with a number of stiles & steep gradients to be aware of, but typical of the landscape so difficult to avoid.
The route passes through beautiful landscape, though woodland, moor & pasture. Sheep grazing in a couple of fields. It also follows part of the Dartmoor Way at the M’hampstead end. It is well signed & earmarked throughout.
The only issue I encountered were electric fences across the path near Middlecott. A legal issue rather than access issue as such - there was a path available to go around the fenced off areas - but the official path follows a ridge line & would offer better views. The fence has been reported to Dartmoor National Park Authority access team.
A very good route linking two communities. Would also be good as part of a longer slow way or a more leisurely walk for tea & cake, lunch or a cream tea (or combination thereof!).

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