Horrabridge to Tavistock

This is another walk that uses the No 1 bus from Plymouth to Tavistock.  It is a linear walk which is one of the advantages of using public transport, you don't have to go back to the start to collect your car. 

Catch the No 1 bus to the stop just before Horrabridge.  There is a gate by the parking space at the edge of the bus stop that leads you to the road from Crapstone.  Walk along this road until you come to where the Drakes Trail crosses the road into the old station.  You could start this walk at Yelverton and walk along the Drakes Trail until you reach this part, but that would add another half an hour to your walk and there is more of interest to see in this part, with a cafe at the end!  Today there were sheep and lambs on the road and just further on a llama in a field.

After going through a gate at the side of a cattle grid you walk through a close of houses whose names reflect the fact that there were sidings and a station of the great western railway here in the past.  Continue to walk along the cycle route 27.  The best time to do this walk is when the bluebells are out as there are bluebell woods all along the path.

Soon you come to the Magpie viaduct, which you can see if you go to the side of the path after crossing it.  Further on is the Gem Bridge that has recently been built so the Drakes Trail can cross the River Walkham.  This bridge replaces the original viaduct.  Just after the bridge is an information board.

Further along the path is the Grenofen Tunnel.  This long tunnel drips water onto you as you walk through it and near the entrance there were stalactites.  You can just see the light at the end of the tunnel and it is good there are a couple of electric lights part way through.

There is a slight incline after the tunnel but most of the walk is slightly downhill.  You feel as if you are walking on the flat, but if you go in the opposite direction you realise you are going uphill!  There is a path off the cycle path that leads to a cafe if you want to stop you walk at this point, or you can continue on to Tavistock.  As you approach the town you walk through a housing estate, but the way is clearly marked by the cycle route N27 signposts.  You come out to the main road into Tavistock opposite Lidl.  Just past it is Morrisons where there is a cafe.  This is where I stop, although you could walk on into Tavistock town.   The walk to Morrisons from Horrabridge is about 3 miles so it is an hour walk, longer if, like me you stop frequently to admire the views, architecture and wildlife.

After a break in the cafe you can catch the No 1 bus back to Plymouth.