Totmar one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I agree with everyone else - this is a superb Slow Way!.

What a GREAT route. Love this part of the country. I 100% recommend this one.

Wow! What a beautiful and picturesque walk! It really highlights some of the finest woodlands of Devon, especially around East Hill/Summer Hill/Castle wood! The photos I have added really do not do the walk justice.

I found this to be an easy walk to traverse; it was a dry day, but I could imagine it being a little muddy around the woodlands have a wet spell.

I followed the .GPX file, there is strange section on the route that juts out around Gatcombe, which does take you through a lovely meadow and to a pub.... but it is not necessary for the route and can be skipped without much confusion.


An extra 3 miles from Marldon would get you to Paignton.

I have no hesitation giving this walk a full 5 stars!.

I caught the bus to start in Marldon. There are more frequent public transport links from Totnes, so I knew my timing at the end wouldn’t really matter in that direction.

A great route, really enjoyable. It mainly follows off-road footpath, bridleway or unmetalled road (unsuitable for vehicles) with some sections of quiet minor road, but little traffic on those. Pavement sections at start & finish.

The route follows the Totnes to Torbay & John Musgrave Heritage (TT & JMH) Trails, which are well signed. It is easy to use, with gates instead of stiles, except for the optional detour at Gatcombe (see below).

Leaving Marldon on Smallwell Lane, the route follows a field edge footpath just past Hazelwood Farm. There were cattle in one field & the ground was a little poached & uneven, but not muddy at the time. If liked, an alternative route would be to continue along Smallwell Lane towards Aptor & take the bridleway Loventor Lane - stone surface - which the route joins south of Butterball Copse.

At Berry Pomeroy Castle (dramatic ruins) there is the option of a rest stop when the castle &/or cafe are open (cafe only weekend). A footpath leads off the route up to the castle.

The northwest spur at Gatcombe provides a good rest stop option at the Pig & Whistle Inn. In terms of accessibility, this is the only section with stiles (3) & it also requires crossing the A381 (see photo). Alternatively, skip this & continue along the lane, following the TT & JMH Trail waymarks to Totnes.

You are rewarded by the sight of Totnes castle in the distance as you come down Bourton Lane towards the end of the walk.

Good bus & rail links from Totnes. Overall, an excellent route.

This is great part of the John Musgrave trail. I have walked this many times - most recently 11/09/21. The only part that I would change is around Old Gatcombe House. Rather than crossing and heading towards Newpark Hill plantation, I've always turned left towards Old Gatcombe House. Highlights? Hundreds of pheasants, Berry Pomperoy Castle, and a distant Totnes castle on the final approach to the town.

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