Umbchu two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Umbchu here.

I found this to be a very enjoyable and safe route, which was easy to follow, There is an access issue at Arshaton Wood however, The forest road at SS 65931 20940 had a locked gate with signs indicating it is private land and that there is no public access. At this point it is necessary to join the fairly busy and derestricted B3226 up as far as Mole Cottage before accessing the footbridge over the mole (if travelling from Umberleigh toward Chulmleigh). However I didn't find this section of about 400 metres too onerous giving some outstanding views over the Mole. I always felt safe. And although there is no verge as such the road is wide enough to accommodate two vehicles and still allowing room for pedestrian access. I shall be putting forward a proposed route to "makeways" for this section. Either through the wood or alongside the river bank. The route would then in my opinion be a candidate for a 5* rating. Pub stop at Kings Nympton.

I walked the final third of this route from Chittlehamholt to Umberleigh with my dog on a grey, drizzly April afternoon. The weather had been very wet for several weeks and the ground was accordingly muddy.

Rather than using the road from Chittlehamholt down towards the River Taw, I walked north out of the village then took a left on it's extremity down into Shortridge Wood. Then onwards through Littlecleave Copse until the confluence of two streams, where another left up a short, sharp incline through woodland (100yds) takes you to a bridleway on the marked route. It's a lovely stretch with a babbling stream and all footpaths are well marked.

From there I followed the bridleway, then the road until coming into Umberleigh. The Rising Sun pub was closed (a Wednesday afternoon at 3pm).

I really enjoyed this walk. The route meanders through lots of charming lanes, tracks and paths, passing woods, farms and good some views. The route even passes through Devon Village of the Year (1999) - Kings Nympton.

It's not without issues though, which is why I've reviewed the route as "maybe" good enough to be in the network.

The B3226 makes it really tricky to create a safe route using rights of way for this Slow Way. It would be great to see someone local make any suggestions.

The section through Arshaton Wood to the west of the River Mole and B3226 uses a woodland track. Someone local told me the path is usable, but right of access is clearly disputed. Coming from the south there are signs asking people to stay to public rights of way... I came from the north. Arshaton is a beautiful woodland that's be sectioned into smaller holdings.

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