Castle Drogo and Cod Wood Circular

This is the 7.5-mile Castle Drogo and Cod Wood circuit, a loop from the main car park down to the River Teign, through Fingle Woods and Cod Wood, and up to the remains of Wooston Castle. The published distance is for the full circuit; allow about four hours, with route guidance giving 3½–5 hours. One estimate puts the climbing at roughly 491 metres, so the steep hills make this a moderate but tiring half-day.

Leave the car park southeast along the lane, then turn into the woods and drop to Hunter’s Path. The first stretch stays high above the gorge before a steep descent to the road and Fingle Bridge. Cross the bridge and follow paths beside the river past Fingle Mill, then climb through Cod Wood to Wooston Castle. Wooston Castle is the photo stop; its hillfort remains sit above the Teign valley. Return by a different forest path to Fingle Bridge, follow the river’s other bank, then cross at Iron Bridge and climb Hunter’s Tor back to the car park. Expect uneven ground, steep climbs and descents; paths can be very muddy in winter and spring.

Start and finish at Castle Drogo’s main car park, off the road east of Drewsteignton. The Fingle Bridge Inn is beside the route; public toilets are at the National Trust car park across the bridge, so both are midway facilities rather than start-of-walk stops. Dogs are allowed in the countryside on leads.