This is a circular walk of about 8.5 miles starting at Fingle Bridge (A) and taking in some of the highest hills (Cranbrook Down, Butterdon Down and Mardon Down) and best views in the Teign Gorge area.
Crossing the bridge over the Teign ascend the steep rocky track to point B where the track has levelled out and there is a footpath gate on your right just before the junction with the lane at D. Follow the well trodden path up to the remains of Cranbrook Castle at C and walk around the circular earthworks for splendid views in all directions.
Return to the road junction at D and take the left option continuing until reaching a new barn development on the right at E (Cranbrook Farm) where you take the track on your right heading uphill towards Butterdon Down.
Follow the well marked track around the edge of the Down passing through several gates and styles until reaching Butterdon Cottage and another tarmac lane at F. After a short distance where you meet another lane at G turn left and follow this lane past Northmoor Farm until reaching the road junction at H turn right (Little Wooston), signposted to Moretonhampstead (the longest town name in England). Continue south until you find a track curving off and upwards on your left (I). Follow this track until you meet another council road at J where you turn left. After a few metres you will see a track on your right which leads directly to a well preserved cairn circle K. Continuing upwards takes you directly to The Giant’s Grave on Mardon Down, the largest stone circle on Dartmoor (L) and yet more far reaching views in all directions.
From here you will find a well used track on your left heading downhill to the Headless Cross (M) which is the location of the remains of the earthworks created by the US army in preparation for the D-Day landings and the subject of a separate article on this website. Walking northwards along the embankment and taking the first opportunity to branch off to your left you will again meet the council road heading down to Clifford Bridge at N. Turn left and in a short distance you will arrive at the entrance to Coleridge Wood on your right where you will find a large information board about the walks available in this large wood.
Take the track directly down hill until you reach the road just above Clifford Bridge where you will find the riverside track leading to Fingle Bridge (O).
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