View source for Two Moors Way

[[File:Two Moors Way - geograph.org.uk - 1260115.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Two Moors Way meeting the Redlake Tramway track]]
{{county|Devon}}
The '''Two Moors Way''' is a long-distance path that runs from [[Ivybridge]] in the south of [[Devon]] to [[Lynmouth]] on the north coast of Devon, crossing parts of both [[Dartmoor]] and [[Exmoor]] along the way and passing into [[Somerset]] for a while. The total length of the trail is about 103 miles, and some sections are difficult in poor weather.  The route was officially opened on 29 May 1976, which is commemorated on four inscribed stones located along the way.

A “fore-route” from the coast brings the distance up to 117 miles.

==Route==
There is one most widely used route, passing through (from south to north): [[Hexworthy]], [[Postbridge]], [[Chagford]], [[Hittisleigh]], [[Morchard Bishop]], [[Witheridge]], [[Hawkridge, Somerset|Hawkridge]], [[Knowstone]], [[Withypool]] and [[Simonsbath]].  However on some sections of the Way alternative routes are possible,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bedandbreakfastdevon.org/community/two-moors-way.shtml|title=Two Moors Way alternative route at Hill Farm|accessdate=2009-09-24}}</ref> one of these passing through [[Holne]] rather than Hexworthy and Postbridge.

The route can be walked in a week without too much stress. Most of the route is well-marked and mostly maintained, but the going can be slow over the moor.

The following short sections have been suggested:<ref>[http://www.twomoorsway.org/the-route/route-sections Two Moors Way: route sections]</ref>

{|
|-
| [[Wembury]] to [[Yealmpton]]  || 7 miles || from the coast
|-
| Yealmpton to [[Ivybridge]] || 9 miles || Across the [[River Yealm|Yealm and the [River Erme|Erme]] to within sight of Dartmoor
|-
| Ivybridge to [[Holne]] || 15 miles || The first section of the official Two Moors Way, up the old Redlake Railway for 6 miles onto the moorland, a clapper bridge over the [[River Avon, Devon|River Avon]] and on to Holne
|-
| Holne to [[Hameldown]] || 7 miles || Across the [[River Dart|Dart]] and up its valley.  [[Widecombe in the Moor]] is a mile and a half off the route.
|-
| Hameldown to [[Chagford]] || 9½ miles || Over the high moor, past [[Grimspound]] and the stone rows at Hurston Ridge, and down to Chagford Bridge. [[Widecombe in the Moor]] is a mile and a half off the route.
|-
| Chagford to [[Drewsteignton]] || 4 miles || A very easy stretch along the [[River Teign]] to the gorge below [[Castle Drogo]] then up over the gorge and off Dartmoor
|-
| Drewsteignton to [[Morchard Bishop]] || 16 miles || Through the rich farmland of mid-Devon
|-
| Morchard Bishop to [[Witheridge]] || 8 miles || Rural Devon with no villages until [[Washford Pyne]] then the old coaching inns of Witheridge
|-
| Witheridge to [[Knowstone]] || 8 miles || Across Bradford Moor to tiny Knowstone
|-
| Knowstone to [[Hawkridge]] || 8 miles || Onto Exmoor proper, a tougher walk
|-
| Hawkridge to [[Withypool]] || 6 miles || Into Somerset, across the [[River Barle]] on the [[Tarr Steps]] clapper bridge, then along the river to Withypool
|-
| Withypool to [[Simonsbath]] || 7 miles || Following the Barle valley through moor and farm
|-
| [[Simonsbath]] to [[Lynmouth]] || 12 miles || The last section, returning to Devon halfway, to the Bristol Channel coast
|}

==Intersecting paths==
The Way intersects several other walking trails running through the moorlands:
* Coincides with the [[Tarka Trail]] for part of the way through Exmoor
* Intersects with:
**[[South West Coast Path]]
**[[Macmillan Way West]]
**[[Little Dart River|Little Dart Ridge and Valley Walk]]
**[[Taw-Teign Link]]
**[[Dartmoor Way]]
**[[Erme Valley Trail]]
**[[Abbot's Way]]

==Outside links==
{{commons}}
*[http://www.twomoorsway.org/ The Two Moors Way]
*[http://www.devon.gov.uk/twomoorsway.pdf Official Devon guide to the trail (PDF)]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Dartmoor]]
[[Category:Exmoor]]
[[Category:Long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Footpaths in Devon]]
[[Category:Footpaths in Somerset]]