Section 1 of 2, Abbot's Way
Tavistock to Peat Cot
10.6 miles (17.1 km). About 4½ hours, moderate.
Start: SX 482 745. Finish: SX 604 699. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
A historic route. It's traced on the map, rather than a promoted, waymarked walk. A historic track across Dartmoor rather than a promoted, waymarked route.
Up and down
About 579 m of climbing and 257 m of descent; highest point 511 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Tavistock.
- Bus stops
- Bedford Hotel, 250 m from the start. Directions SX 481 743Russell Street, 350 m from the start. Directions SX 479 743Bus stop, 380 m from the start. Directions SX 482 741
- Car parks
- Brook Street (pay), 110 m from the start. Directions SX 483 746Car park, 150 m from the start. Directions SX 483 746Guildhall (pay), 180 m from the start. Directions SX 481 744
Getting back
The section finishes at Peat Cot. We found no bus stop within 3 km of the finish and no station within 10 km (from OpenStreetMap), so plan a lift or a taxi back.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 55%, gravel and tracks 22%, grass 11%.
About 55% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 2 stiles, 3 gates, 1 stream crossing.
Steepest climb: about 100 m in a kilometre (1 in 10), starting 3.2 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- Drake's Wine Bar & Café, Tavistock: at the start.Tavistock Inn: at the start.Dartmoor Inn, Merrivale: 5.1 miles in. Food.The Princetown Smithy: 8.1 miles in.Prince of Wales, Princetown: 8.1 miles in. Seats outside.Plume of Feathers, Princetown: 8.2 miles in. Seats outside.Jack Cham's, Tavistock: near the start, about 350 m off the way.The Queen's Head Hotel, Tavistock: near the start, about 300 m off the way. No dogs, step-free.The Stammary Arms, Tavistock: near the start, about 250 m off the way.The Union Inn, Tavistock: near the start, about 300 m off the way.
- Cafés
- Bobs Cafe, Tavistock: at the start.Café Liaison, Tavistock: at the start.Dukes, Tavistock: at the start.Lemon Grove Cafe, Tavistock: at the start.Ply Street Coffee Lounge, Tavistock: at the start.Poppy's Café, Tavistock: at the start.Mime, Tavistock: at the start. Seats outside.Costa, Tavistock: at the start.Old Police Station Cafe, Princetown: 8.1 miles in. Seats outside.Fox Tor Cafe, Princetown: 8.2 miles in. Seats outside.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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