Haldar one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Haldar here.

Even on a wet July day I really enjoyed this walk, which takes in a beautiful, but less well-trodden, part of the South Hams.

I walked from Halwell, having caught the regular bus service from Totnes to Kingsbridge and Salcombe. Dartmouth is also well-served by bus & there is a regular passenger ferry to Kingswear with more options from there (including a steam train!).

There’s a pub at Halwell and many, many refreshment opportunities at Dartmouth, but nothing en route.

It is not accessible for all, with stiles steep gradients & steps, but very typical of the South Hams landscape & with no more accessible alternatives.

The slow way follows a variety of field paths, holloways & quiet country lanes. There was a herd of cattle in a field between Halwell & the A3122. They were inquisitive & followed me, but stayed at a comfortable distance. (Once I was through the next gate they came up for head scratches.)

The only major road encountered was the A3122, which the route crosses then follows the wide verge for a very short distance near Totnes Cross, & again crosses near Collaton Cross. Otherwise the road sections are on very quiet country lanes until into Dartmouth itself.

Allaleigh is an interesting little hamlet. I was curious about a short unmetalled road that ran parallel to the primary route & through the old farm buildings. As I like ancient lanes I did a little loop back along it just for the fun of it. Also curious about the place names Higher Venice & Little Venice but didn’t explore further in the rain.

A field path heads down into the valley to Capton Mill (it looks like cattle are often in the field). At Capton Mill the footpath passes over a stile & into the garden of the house. It seems quite strange as the path twists & turns, along a defined path through the vegetable garden, over a small bridge & up some steps by an outbuilding, but it is well-waymarked.

The route continues along quiet lanes (one short footpath cutting off a corner through a meadow at Capton Cross). It passes down through a lovely wooded valley to Old Mill Creek. One very steep incline (Old Mill Lane) approaching Townstal in Dartmouth. On the corner of Old Mill Lane & Mill Crescent you can cut the corner off by following a pathway up steps to Archway Drive. After crossing Townstal Road (A379) the route leads down through the old town & stepped lanes of Dartmouth.

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