Ipptor three

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Ipptor here.

This is an alternative to Ipptor one and two which have an access issue at East Linhay. To avoid this requires quite a deviation in order to find a safe crossing of the A380 dual carriageway and therefore a different way from there into Torquay.

The route is not accessible for all. There are steep gradients, stiles and gates. Good bus links to Ipplepen and bus/train at Torquay.

From Ipplepen the route initially follows footpath and quiet lanes but then picks up a lovely bridleway. Just after the railway bridge the bridleway fords a stream - there is a pedestrian bridge but it has seen better days! Have reported it to DCC but it was easy to ford the stream when I walked it.

Don’t do what I did and get distracted by the view continue along the bridleway at the top of the hill! It was very overgrown and I got stung by nettles unnecessarily! Do turn left along the unmetalled lane instead.

The way continues on unmetalled or quiet lanes. It passes Compton Castle, a NT property (not open every day but worth a visit imo) and the village of Compton. There is also a restaurant/café which seems to have the same opening hours as the castle.

At East Linhay I had to detour from Ipptor one because the plotted route was not public. Continuing on the lane joins the A380 dual carriageway. There’s no pedestrian crossing even though there is a footpath on the opposite side. I would not cross it and cannot recommend it. Instead I followed a bridleway that runs parallel to the A380, it’s behind a hedge but noisy. It continues as an unmetalled road, restricted to non motorised traffic, to Marldon where a pedestrian underpass at Marldon five lanes runabout enables safe crossing (follow the John Musgrave Heritage Trail or Torbay Totnes Trail waymarks). At Occombe there is a good farm shop for refreshment.

The way follows the TT trail initially, on road and then on an off-road track running parallel (easy to miss). It’s then along lovely footpaths through woodland into Torquay, picking up the TT trail again towards the end. I was surprised by how quiet and peaceful this approach into Torquay was.

The route didn’t feel very direct or to flow too well, although possibly because I had to devise the alternative route as I went. The section parallel to the A380 wasn’t the loveliest either. It may be possible to find a better, more direct route. I’ve only given 3 stars because of that but it would be interesting to know what others think.

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