Two Moors Way

The Two Moors Way meeting the Redlake Tramway track

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, Knowstone, Withypool and Simonsbath. However on some sections of the Way alternative routes are possible, 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:

Wembury to Yealmpton	7 miles	from the coast
Yealmpton to Ivybridge	9 miles	Across the Yealm and the 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 and on to Holne
Holne to Hameldown	7 miles	Across the 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 Ridge and Valley Walk
  • Taw-Teign Link
  • Dartmoor Way
  • Erme Valley Trail
  • Abbot's Way

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Two Moors Way)

• The Two Moors Way
• Official Devon guide to the trail (PDF)