West Devon Way

The West Devon Way is a 37-mile, one-way walk from Okehampton to Radford Castle beside Hooe Lake in Plymouth, following the western edge of Dartmoor. It is a through-route, not a loop, and most walkers divide the full distance over two or three days. The route can be split into eight stages, each starting or finishing near a bus stop. Expect a changing cross-section of Devon rather than a single summit walk: the northern half crosses rugged, open country, then the way descends through villages and river valleys toward the city.

Leaving Okehampton, the path crosses a golf course, reaches the West Okement and passes below Meldon Viaduct. The high railway span over Meldon Pool is a clear early landmark; the view beneath it gives the route its most distinctive built-and-water composition. The way continues past Meldon Reservoir and its dam, then skirts the open ground around Sourton Tors and East Tor. Beyond the moor edge, a tree-lined byway gives occasional framed views through gates and gaps across fields to Dartmoor tors. Lydford’s war memorial marks a village stop. Expect a mix of grass, tracks and lanes, with the more open northern stretches feeling different from the sheltered approach to Lydford.

From Lydford the West Devon Way continues through Tavistock, then spends much of its remaining length in river valleys. It crosses the Walkham and follows the Meavy and Plym valleys toward Plymouth; the route becomes more wooded and settled as it goes. At the southern end, the mapped line finishes at Radford Castle on Hooe Lake, not in Plymouth’s city centre. The change from moor-edge tors and reservoir country to wooded riverside paths is the main payoff of walking the whole route.

Published walking estimates run 14–17 hours in total, usually spread over two or three days. The terrain is varied but has relatively few steep climbs; the distance and point-to-point logistics are the larger commitment. Waymarking has gaps, so keep a route map available and plan each stage instead of relying on signs alone. Okehampton, Tavistock, Yelverton and Plymouth have facilities and refreshments, and toilets are noted near Horrabridge. Dedicated start parking and a route-wide dog rule were not confirmed. Arrange transport back from Hooe Lake, or use the eight bus-linked stages for a shorter trip.