Take a walk in the woods, following ancient trackways
Distance: 3 miles (moderate, with steep ascents and descents)
Nearest refreshments: Parke / Bovey Tracey
Parking: Trendlebere Down SX 772 797
While I enjoy planning routes sometimes it’s nice to walk ones created by other people, so I found the Hisley Heritage Walk leaflet and enjoyed the autumnal glory of the woods.
There is also plenty of wildlife to see as this walk is in the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve. The area covers Yarner Wood, Trendlebere Down and the valley of the River Bovey.
Parking at Trendlebere Down, there are two parking areas, with a path at the back of each. From the first one the path goes to the left before bending to the right. I parked the one a little further along followed the path to the right, before linking up with the path from the first one, then going left. There are magnificent views looking up the Bovey valley.
Take the path to the right and a steep downhill which ends at the Old Manaton Road. This used to be the only link between Bovey Tracey and Manaton and is now a byway.
It dates back to medieval times and was used by pack horses and pedestrians until the modern roads of the 19th century.
Turn left and follow this byway about half a mile until you reach the Pudding Stone. This is a large rounded granite boulder, which sits at the side of the path.
Turn right here, through a gate with a Hisley Wood sign, and you’ll soon arrive at Hisley Bridge which crosses the Rover Bovey. This is an old medieval packhorse bridge and the subject of many photographs.
It was believed to have been used by the people of Lustleigh to get to Manaton and Haytor. Its existence was first recorded in 1840, though it’s likely to be older than that.
Once you’ve crossed the bridge, turn left and start going uphill, following signs to Pethybridge. After a few minutes of walking you’ll see some boulders and remains of walls on the left of the path. These are moss covered and hidden among the trees and what’s left of Boveycombe farmstead.
The farmstead was built in the 14th century and eventually deserted in the early 20th century.
Continue walking up the path, following signs for Pethybridge and Heaven’s Gate. At the top of the wood, you’ll go through a gate exiting Hisley Woods and turn right. This takes you through a small meadow which is part of Lustleigh Cleave.
At the top of the meadow is another gate and this is marked ‘Heaven’s Gate’ on the other side. You’ll then be on another ancient track with high stone walls on either side.
This takes you along and then down to the road, where you’ll turn right. Follow the road until you reach a sign for Lower Hisley on your right, then follow this track.
Keep to the left, as this track goes up to a house, and the footpath goes to the left. It’s clearly marked and this takes you along a small path to a gate. Go right here and then left, around the farm buildings.
The path takes you back into Hisley Woods where you can enjoy views of the Bovey Valley.
There’s a hazel coppice on your right, which is managed by the Woodland Trust and further down the track a younger hazel coppice. There were many catkins hanging on the branches when I visited.
There are also lovely views across to Trendlebere Down and Yarner Woods to enjoy.
Keep following the path down and at the final fork go left, which will bend back to the right and then you’ll be back at Hisley Bridge.
There are some benches around here and it’s a lovely spot to stop and enjoy your surroundings.
Then cross the bridge, and follow the path back to Old Manaton Road. Go left past the pudding stone and it’s a slow uphill back to the point where you joined this track.
The last part is a steep, but short climb and then you’re back to the car parking areas.
© Gillian Adams 2020