4 miles, 2 hours, Elevation gain 370 ft
Route of the walk courtesy of Garmin and Google Earth
Directions
The River Teign below Chagford Bridge
From Murchington head past the former chapel towards Chagford (keep straight ahead rather than following the road left). At the top of an incline, before the road begins a steep drop, take the footpath to the right across the field to Warcleave Wood. After crossing a small stream, walk through the wood, past Warcleave Cottage (NT) hidden in the trees to the right, until you come out on to the road again. Turn right, but as you come to the ancient Chagford Bridge take the footpath on the left that follows the river downstream. Follow the river for about a mile. After a few hundred metres the building to your right is the historic Chagford Woollen Mill, note the mill leat flowing back into the Teign just beyond the factory block. The building has been skillfully reconstructed into six residential properties.
When you come to a weir the footpath leaves the river, following instead the course of Rushford Mill leat (which now supplies the water for Chagford’s outdoor swimming pool (May to September)). Follow this leat for a few hundred metres through a large field with a red-roofed farm on the horizon (Chagfood Community farm). Before you come to a footbridge which crosses the leat take the footpath to the left which follows the hedge line of the big field. At the top you will cross the track which leads to the red-roofed buildings. Keep ahead to skirt around the edge of a small wooded area. If you are lucky you will meet the inquisitive Chagfarm pigs in their large wooded enclosure.
Rare breed pigs eating nettles in their enclosure at the southern end of Rushford Wood.
Keeping the pigs to your right, the path rises quite steeply, bending first to the right. The goat enclosure should now be on your right, with high fencing and spacious housing. As you leave the goats behind and bend left the going can get quite boggy as you head north-west across a rough field. At the end of this field look out for a dilapidated footpath sign and stile into a field to the left. Follow the path up hill, with the hedge to your right. Cross the sunken track which connects Lower Withecombe (left) to Rushford Wood, climbing the stile on the other side. The path now crosses two fields heading north-west. The views back towards Chagford are spectacular from here - so do turn round. Higher Withecombe farm is straight ahead when you cross into the third field. Instead of continuing towards it, the footpath turns left (west). Follow it, keeping to the hedge, till you come to the road (it can be very muddy here). Turn right and head towards Monks Withecombe gallery (on the corner). At the gallery, turn left and follow the road up to Way Down - keeping straight at the crossroads (Waye Cross). At the top, by the Way Down transmitter, take the left and follow the road south, past St John’s till you are back in Murchington. The views to the west - towards Gidleigh Park - are impressive.
Points of Interest: compared with its upland stretches above Chagford Bridge, the River Teign flows gently at this point. This is a prime trout fishing river, managed by the Upper Teign Fishing Assocation since the 1860s. Salmon and sea trout also come up the river to spawn (now Dartmoor’s heavy metal mining no longer renders the river inhospitable for these magnificent creatures). This is also a good place to spot river-loving bird species such as dippers, grey wagtails and if you are fortunate, the iridescent kingfisher. Also look out for the stately goosander - a large diver-like duck that has recently expanded into the area.
Mild peril: not much - the river and the fields around Lower and Higher Withecombe can get very muddy in winter/spring. Some signposts are easy to miss.
Old gate and granite post at Lower Withecombe