This year we were pretty active between Christmas and New Year, heading out for a walk on 3 days, one day in work, one day a party and one day lying around lazing (New Year’s Eve). This was the second walk of the three and the boys joined us for one of my favourite walks, whatever the weather. The conditions were low cloud, mist and clag, obliterating views in all directions but no rain at least. Its a short walk of 4 miles, but packs in plenty of interest, with two bridges, a cross, huge tors, woodlands, two rivers, clay settling tanks, a quarry and some lovely open moorland which gives some fine views, normally! We parked at the Cadover Bridge car park, booted up and headed into North Woods to follow the clay pipe path to Shaugh Bridge, you can branch off this path to pick off Shaugh Beacon, but today, with the cloud down, the views weren’t worth the detour. Before long we reached Shaugh Bridge, were we sat for a coffee at the confluence of the Meavy and Plym rivers. Next we headed steeply uphill to the top of the Dewerstone, a massive rising pile of granite which sticks out the top of the trees, culminating in a further pile called locally, Devil’s Rocks or Carrington Rock. Next we headed straight out across Wigford Down, passing Cadworthy Tor (Oxen Tor) before reaching Cadover Bridge and the car. We missed out the top of Wigford Down with the views, normally so good to Sheeps Tor, not being present. So another nice little Christmas walk and enough to warrant an extra mince pie 😋
Just entering North Wood and I look back out, along the river Plym towards the car park and Cadover BridgeOff into North WoodLinda following the clay pipe pathMisty trees, mossy rocksAfter North Wood you head on to West Down, more woodland here but you can head up from this sign to reach Shaugh BeaconOr look right to see the Dewerstone across the valleyWest Down Rocks are also beside the pathAs are these tanks, used for the clay worksMisty views towards BickleighDown at Shaugh Bridge car park, the clay settling tanks on the rightThe River Plym passes beneath a wooden bridgeShaugh Bridge, the pillars are 17th century but the bridge arches were washed away in 1824 in a huge thaw, it was rebuilt in 1825 and has stood since. We sat here for a coffee with the River Meavy on our right here and the Plym to the left, beyond the confluence it is the River Plym down to Plymouth.BoysHeading up the steep cart path, which would have been used to bring the quarry stone down to the bridge and on to the road/railwayLinda clearly fitter than myself. We normally would hang a left and head around towards another cart path, but instead today the boys decided the more direct approach of the top rocks was needed.The Dewerstone Rocks, or at least part of it, lots of climbing routes on those rocks, not for the feint heartedDewerstone Tor, Devil’s Rocks, Carrington Rocks. Whatever you wish to use, this is the top and worthy of a sit and a sandwich. Views are normally superb from here, just not todayThe Plym Valley to the right, that’s North Wood on the other sideMist rising along the valleyCadworthy Tor looking back to the DewerstonePoniesLooking through the mist towards Cadover BridgeCadover Cross, one of the many across the moor used by the abbots heading between the churches, this one marked the route from Tavistock to Plympton Priory. In the trees to the left is the Counting House, where the clay workers would be paid.Finally Cadover Bridge, come back here in 6 months and you will see young brave folk jumping from the bridge into the Plym! Hope you’ve all had a lovely festive time this year as we run head first into 2025!
13 thoughts on “Christmas Cadover Bridge to Shaugh Bridge walk”
We always used to like to get out for a walk in those in between days. Not so different now, except that we’re generally walking in bright sunshine. I can see that this would be spectacular with blue skies.
There are some lovely views into the moor and out to sea around Plymouth from this walk, still I like the misty trees in the woodlands as well, so nice to have a mix
Perfect walk for a dreary winter day. Always great to retreat to woodland which can be ethereal and atmospheric in those conditions. Like Mark said, so much interest in a short walk.
Its my favourite walk on the moors, I can change it with 3 or 4 variations. It was nice to do the direct route up to the rocks, although it did leave me out of breath a little (Christmas excess!)
treksandtors 
We always used to like to get out for a walk in those in between days. Not so different now, except that we’re generally walking in bright sunshine. I can see that this would be spectacular with blue skies.
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There are some lovely views into the moor and out to sea around Plymouth from this walk, still I like the misty trees in the woodlands as well, so nice to have a mix
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Even in the mist the pics show an enchanting walk.
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Stunning photos, looked like a great family Walk 😁 best way to spend the Christmas break!
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Love these walks at Christmas with the family
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That’s very good going for the slothful season. I’ve been battling mud.
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We’ve been lucky with choosing some good routes with good paths
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Blimey, that packs a lot into just 4 miles! Looks like a great outing, shame about the clag!
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The views are great from up there but its nice to see things in all weather. There is also so much up around Cadover that it is never boring
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Nice walk. It is great that you managed to walk during the Christmas break. Weather has been very bad here so we didn’t do as much as we wanted.
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We pushed through some very claggy and misty weather on Boxing Day and the 28th. But walked again on 30th and 2nd Jan in some nice sunshine
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Perfect walk for a dreary winter day. Always great to retreat to woodland which can be ethereal and atmospheric in those conditions. Like Mark said, so much interest in a short walk.
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Its my favourite walk on the moors, I can change it with 3 or 4 variations. It was nice to do the direct route up to the rocks, although it did leave me out of breath a little (Christmas excess!)
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