Ivybuc three

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Ivybuc here.

A version which goes uphill from Ivybridge across the southern edge of Dartmoor. Expect truly panoramic views, ancient burial sites, wild Dartmoor ponies and other delightful upland flora and fauna. Quiet paths and lanes link the moorland to South Brent. From there onwards to Buckfastleigh this route is mostly faithful to IvyBuc 2 using (hopefully) quieter metalled lanes and occasional stretches of unmade lane.

I did walk the route before uploading, but only between Ivybridge and South Brent. I started later than planned but I decided not to rush but to fully appreciate the sights and the sites, take more time to explore various options and scope out an optimal route, generally dawdle and enjoy the experience. I was able to rule out detours to other ancient sites which were visually underwhelming or less ancient than they may appear. Several paths shown on maps were unclear on the ground, others were more direct than this, and adequate but would soon be concealed by bracken or maybe even by gorse within a few years. And where a mapped "public footpath" comes off the edge of Ugborough Moor, below the Beacon, it's blocked by a fence, I think to reduce erosion, or maybe something to do with the sheep, anyway there are muddy hoof churned gaps but it is unfenced just to the north. Which is a roundabout way of admitting that I did a lot of moorland walking but didn't walk every moorland path in this route. But I have done my research and am as confident it will work as can be without testing the rest.

The 38 bus links both ends via South Brent. Ivybridge is quite large with a station, National Express coaches, several bus routes, shops, places to eat and public toilets in the library/ arts centre.
South Brent is smaller but does have two food stores, places to eat, a butcher and a candlestickmaker but sadly no baker. The bus stop is 'Pool Park' by the Exeter Road roundabout (38 and GOLD).
There is a 38 bus stop and a cafe in Upper Dean, not far from the Riverford veg box HQ. Buckfastleigh is midway both in size and opportunities, the route meets the town centre at Chapel Street. There's an 88 bus stop close by at the Woodholme Car Park on Plymouth Road, public toilets here too. But the out-of-town stop near this route's official ending has both routes, 88 and 38, and is near the steam railway. The mini map shows these, a few extra bus stops in case of emergency and the positions of the ancient monuments, in case you want to find out more.

I won't be reviewing it but definitely recommend it, my photos should explain why more than my words can. And here's my rough survey. The moorland conditions underfoot were a bit uneven but nothing significant. The last bit of lane up to reach the moor from Ivybridge was a bit rocky and uneven though. The weather had been warm and dry for several days but the moor was dry enough except for cowpats and fording a shallow stream between the two hills, where a line of submerged stones raised the path level. I met cattle with calves and sheep with lambs, on alert but relatively habituated to walkers, saw several of those around too, oddly not very friendly here. Sadly I only saw the ponies at a distance. The ancient stone structures were very beguiling as were the weathered granite tors on Ugborough Beacon. The views were amazing although my photos don't do any of these justice. The last field before rejoining metalled lanes had a small flush of water to cross to reach the stile, but I'd trodden in deeper cowpats. The lanes down to South Brent were good, some very beautiful with lush vegetation on the shady banks. After joining the Dartmoor Way some of the route is even on a path through fields, quite the rarity round here. The path from the falls at Lydia Bridge into South Brent was charming and I met a group who had just been for their regular dip, tempting but I had no towel. There are several big and small gates as well as stiles and steps of both wood and stone, several of the stiles near South Brent were very high.

I checked the remaining route on Street View and noticed (just) one instance where the bridge at Harbourneford had been submerged, effectively a ford once more. It might have been possible to pick your way across besides or along the wooden fence

A version which goes uphill from Ivybridge across the southern edge of Dartmoor. Expect truly panoramic views, ancient burial sites, wild Dartmoor ponies and other delightful upland flora and fauna. Quiet paths and lanes link the moorland to South Brent. From there onwards to Buckfastleigh this route is mostly faithful to IvyBuc 2 using (hopefully) quieter metalled lanes and occasional stretches of unmade lane.

I did walk the route before uploading, but only between Ivybridge and South Brent. I started later than planned but I decided not to rush but to fully appreciate the sights and the sites, take more time to explore various options and scope out an optimal route, generally dawdle and enjoy the experience. I was able to rule out detours to other ancient sites which were visually underwhelming or less ancient than they may appear. Several paths shown on maps were unclear on the ground, others were more direct than this, and adequate but would soon be concealed by bracken or maybe even by gorse within a few years. And where a mapped "public footpath" comes off the edge of Ugborough Moor, below the Beacon, it's blocked by a fence, I think to reduce erosion, or maybe something to do with the sheep, anyway there are muddy hoof churned gaps but it is unfenced just to the north. Which is a roundabout way of admitting that I did a lot of moorland walking but didn't walk every moorland path in this route. But I have done my research and am as confident it will work as can be without testing the rest.

The 38 bus links both ends via South Brent. Ivybridge is quite large with a station, National Express coaches, several bus routes, shops, places to eat and public toilets in the library/ arts centre.
South Brent is smaller but does have two food stores, places to eat, a butcher and a candlestickmaker but sadly no baker. The bus stop is 'Pool Park' by the Exeter Road roundabout (38 and GOLD).
There is a 38 bus stop and a cafe in Upper Dean, not far from the Riverford veg box HQ. Buckfastleigh is midway both in size and opportunities, the route meets the town centre at Chapel Street. There's an 88 bus stop close by at the Woodholme Car Park on Plymouth Road, public toilets here too. But the out-of-town stop near this route's official ending has both routes, 88 and 38, and is near the steam railway. The mini map shows these, a few extra bus stops in case of emergency and the positions of the ancient monuments, in case you want to find out more.

I won't be reviewing it but definitely recommend it, my photos should explain why more than my words can. And here's my rough survey. The moorland conditions underfoot were a bit uneven but nothing significant. The last bit of lane up to reach the moor from Ivybridge was a bit rocky and uneven though. The weather had been warm and dry for several days but the moor was dry enough except for cowpats and fording a shallow stream between the two hills, where a line of submerged stones raised the path level. I met cattle with calves and sheep with lambs, on alert but relatively habituated to walkers, saw several of those around too, oddly not very friendly here. Sadly I only saw the ponies at a distance. The ancient stone structures were very beguiling as were the weathered granite tors on Ugborough Beacon. The views were amazing although my photos don't do any of these justice. The last field before rejoining metalled lanes had a small flush of water to cross to reach the stile, but I'd trodden in deeper cowpats. The lanes down to South Brent were good, some very beautiful with lush vegetation on the shady banks. After joining the Dartmoor Way some of the route is even on a path through fields, quite the rarity round here. The path from the falls at Lydia Bridge into South Brent was charming and I met a group who had just been for their regular dip, tempting but I had no towel. There are several big and small gates as well as stiles and steps of both wood and stone, several of the stiles near South Brent were very high.

I checked the remaining route on Street View and noticed (just) one instance where the bridge at Harbourneford had been submerged, effectively a ford once more. It might have been possible to pick your way across besides or along the wooden fence