Cadover Bridge, Shaugh Bridge and Wigford Down

/ 16/10/2016

I thought I’d had my last evening walk a couple of weeks ago at Great Mis Tor  however I managed to squeeze another one in, on a day when the rain was supposed to pour. Luckily for me the weather reporters were wrong and I enjoyed a walk in probably my most walked area on Dartmoor. I’ll come to this walk at least once a year, usually around Christmas, however I took advantage of a weather window and came here, as its a short drive from home. For those wishing to start walking on Dartmoor, or anywhere for that matter, this is as good a place as there is to start. You get a river, two bridges, a woodland path, downhill parts, uphill parts, an old railway and quarry industry, a tor, a rocky summit that was a hill fort and an area in Wigford Down that gives a flavour of Dartmoor proper. All that in 4 miles and owned by the National Trust. A brilliant place.

Start – Cadover parking
Route – North Wood – West Down – Shaugh Bridge – Dewerstone – Cadworthy Tor – Wigford Down – Cadover Cross – Cadover Bridge
Distance – 4 miles    Start time – 4pm     Time taken –  2hrs  Highest Point – Wigford Down 271 metres
Weather – Some sun, cool but no rain
© Crown copyright 2016 Ordnance Survey FL 2016 SF
© Crown copyright 2016 Ordnance Survey FL 2016 SF
As I leave Cadover Bridge car park and enter North Woods the River Plym is loud and present on my right hand side. This whole area is owned by the National Trust
This is the clay pipe path, for obvious reasons! Clay was carried along these pipes to the kilns at Shaugh Bridge. A nearby train station then took the goods to town (Plymouth) and beyond
Sun dappled North Woods
Out of North Woods and that’s Cadworthy Tor on the other side of the valley, I’ll be there in about 50 minutes
From the same spot a view to the Dewerstone, a major climbing route in these parts. Devils Rocks above
Going to the left
I’m on the wooden bridge near Shaugh Bridge looking up the River Plym
Shaugh Bridge, here the rivers Plym and Meavy meet
This is the old cart track that leads up from Shaugh Bridge, the rocks ahead would have been a tor and became a quarry, stone from here went to build Blackfriars Bridge in London
The brake house at the top of the cart track incline, to stop the empty carts from heading into the River Meavy
A glimpse over glorious Devon countryside, the valley below holds the River Meavy
On Devils Rocks now, Dartmoor and its tors in the distance, Cox Tor on the left
Sun shining on Cadover Bridge area with the Plym valley to the right. Left of photo is Cadworthy Tor my next destination
To the south are views to Plymouth
The top of the Dewerstone just visible left and below Devils Rocks
Great Trowlesworthy Tor catches the sun as I walk to Wigford Down, Shell Top behind
Past the Dartmoor ponies to Wigford Down
Wigford Down cairn, Sheeps Tor above the cairn and Peek Hill to the left
Watering hole Dartmoor style
I’m heading down just right of the trees, Shell Top and Lee Moor dominate the background
Cadover Cross and Cadover Bridge. This was an old abbot’s route from Tavistock to Plympton.
Sunset at Cadover Bridge

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5 thoughts on “Cadover Bridge, Shaugh Bridge and Wigford Down”

  1. I’m hoping to stop off in Dartmoor for a Cream Tea and a short walk on my way to weekend in Padstow in a few weeks. This looks like a good one. Any other recommendations for a couple of hours walk in some classic Dartmoor scenery.

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