Okecha one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

There is no doubting the quality of this route. I thoroughly enjoyed my walk. I found it to be safe , easy to navigate and with some spectacular views. Always in great countryside. I do though have to give a warning about the stepping stones in Gidleigh Park - across the Teign. These stones can be very slippery when wet and not everybody would be totally confident making this crossing. I have known people get to this point and go back, because they wouldn't feel safe. The issue is that from either direction it is a long way back to the road alternative through Murchington and the woodland path along the Taw-Teign link path. So consideration of this alternative which I shall be writing up as OKECHA(2) should be considered prior to heading toward the stone steps. The rest of the route is excellent. There road sections, but these are generally along very quiet roads with single lanes, making for slow vehicles. The paths are well marked and at the time I walked it in mid-September in a good condition There are pubs at Sticklepath, South Zeal and just off the route at Wonson. There are stiles, steps and stepping zones on the route.

I attempted to walk this on 25 Nov 2023 heading from Chagford to Okehampton but the stepping stones crossing of the river Teign 1.5 miles from Chagford was impassable. Several cm of fast flowing water on half of the stones. It hasn't rained for a couple of days so be aware of this outside of dry periods. There's a road detour possible but I cut up a longer way to the open moor at Scorhill via Gidleigh Park Hotel - it has a nice footpath by the river and woods. I rejoined the Okecha route at Throwleigh and followed it to the edge of Okehampton where I cut through a nicer way into the town via Ball Hill woods. I'd recommend this as an alternative to the official route. It's off road but a well made all weather path that takes you into the centre of the town.

In general the route is a good one with several interesting green lanes and foot paths. It's mainly tarmac quiet lanes which have some nice views and avoid the altitude and bogs of the moor. There were only a few wet muddy stretches.

I really enjoyed this slow way, even on a wet summer’s day! It has some cracking holloways (or sunken lanes) that were a joy to walk and also provided good shelter from the elements.

I walked from Okehampton to Chagford. The slow way officially starts from Okehampton high street, where there are bus links, shops, cafés etc. There is also now a regular train service from Exeter. The train station is up the hill from the town centre so if coming by train and you have no particular need to go into the town, you could follow a bridleway signed ‘tramlines bridleway’, which leads west-east from station road immediately adjacent to the station entrance, and join the slow way just past Ball Hill viaduct. This is a lovely and very accessible bridleway running above the East Okement valley, which I have walked many times as part of a circular walk to Belstone. For the purposes of this review I started at the high street though.

The slow way gradually climbs up out of the town following pavements along the main road. It soon turns off into a quiet lane, signed as NCN28. This drops down towards the East Okement (where it meets the bridleway from the station mentioned above) and passes under the railway and A30. It continues on quiet lane and footpath. The only slightly unpleasant section is where it joins the main road near Whitehouse Services, but it is only a short section and there is a level verge for the most part. The route soon heads off-road again following a bridleway to Sticklepath. Sticklepath has pubs and a shop and the NT Finch Foundry.

After Sticklepath the slow way picks up the Dartmoor Way promoted route, which it then largely follows to Chagford, with just a slight deviation just past South Zeal (South Zeal has pubs and shops and wcs), following quiet lanes and footpaths to Throwleigh, passing through a secret meadow.

From Throwleigh are the most glorious mossy holloways. One, a deep, narrow bridleway, leads down to the river Teign with a boulder stepping-stones crossing (may not be a good idea when the river is in spate).

The route finishes on quiet lanes again entering Chagford, a very nice little town with a good choice of independent shops, pubs and cafés. Bus services are limited from Chagford but you could continue on to Moretonhampstead (chamor) for more options. Or just stay in the pub!

The route is not accessible for all - it has stiles, steps and steep gradients - but typical of the landscape and with no more accessible alternatives.

A thoroughly enjoyable walk, from the edge of the high moor to wooded river valleys and picturesque small towns and villages. I would walk it again and would highly recommend to others.

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