7 - May Walks

Greenway to Kingwear

It’s 8 miles there and back along this section of the Dart Valley Trail. At this time of the year you only get the occasional sneak peak of the river as you walk high up on edge of the valley through the trees in Long Wood.

When you come out of the woods you are at the main car ferry crossing to Dartmouth on the other side of the estuary and from here you can walk along a narrow footpath squeezed between the railway track and the water to get to Kingswear.

Kingswear is really pretty with little narrow streets and a few pubs and cafes but not much else, though it’s a great spot for lunch in the sun looking out across the marina and Dartmouth Harbour. From the center of Kingswear you can catch the lower ferry across to Dartmouth too.

I was hoping to walk to Kingswear Castle but the coastpath heading out of Kingswear in that direction was shut off due to a landslip so I will save that trip for another time.

You can catch the steam train as part of the ‘Round Robin’ trip. This is a ferry or paddlesteamer from Totnes to Dartmouth, ferry to Kingswear, steam train to Paignton and open top bus from Paignton back to Totnes.

Holne to Spitchwich

This was only a short walk but it was quite varied. As you head downhill (very steep) from Holne towards the river you get a fantastic view towards Sharp Tor and Buckland Beacon.

Once you get down to the river the path is nice and flat all the way to Newbridge, through the woods.

Salters Pool is a nice deep swimming spot. If you want to avoid the steep climb back up to Holne, you could park at Newbridge and this would be an easy 5-10 minute walk from the car.

Looking down on Horseshoe Falls.