Section 9 of 9, Dartmoor Way
Lydford to Buckfastleigh
19.3 miles (31.1 km). About 7 hours, challenging.
Start: SX 511 849. Finish: SX 744 667. 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.
Up and down
About 757 m of climbing and 1,002 m of descent; highest point 404 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Lydford.
- Bus stops
- Bus stop, 110 m from the start. Directions SX 511 849War Memorial, 140 m from the start. Directions SX 512 850Bus stop, 150 m from the start. Directions SX 512 850
- Car parks
- Car park (free), 310 m from the start. Directions SX 510 847Car park, 350 m from the start. Directions SX 512 853
Getting back
The section finishes at Buckfastleigh. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Station
- Buckfastleigh (heritage railway), 470 m from the finish. Directions SX 746 662
- Bus stops
- Dart Bridge, 70 m from the finish. Directions SX 744 667Abbey Inn, 80 m from the finish. Directions SX 743 667
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 47%, grass 19%, earth, rock and mud 10%, gravel and tracks 8%; the rest (17%) isn't recorded.
About 45% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 1 stile, 4 kissing gates, 6 gates, 4 stream crossings.
Steepest climb: about 124 m in a kilometre (1 in 8), starting 12.4 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- The Castle Inn, Lydford: 0.2 miles in.Abbey Inn On The River, Buckfast: at the finish. Food, seats outside.The Mary Tavy Inn: 5 miles in, about 300 m off the way. Seats outside.The Trout 'n' Tipple, Tavistock: 8.1 miles in, about 350 m off the way.The Rock Inn, Haytor Vale: 14.6 miles in, about 350 m off the way. Seats outside.
- Cafés
- Tea Rooms, Lydford: 0.4 miles in.Home Farm Cafe, Southbrook Farm: 18.3 miles in. Seats outside.Buckfast Farm Shop Cafe: 18.9 miles in.Lydford Gorge Tea Room: 1.4 miles in, about 150 m off the way.Tinpickle & Rhum, Haytor Vale: 14.3 miles in, about 300 m off the way. Seats outside.Ullacombe Farm Shop, Green Lane: 15.3 miles in, about 200 m off the way.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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