Walks & Trails
![Coastal Path Sign [© Clare Pawley Countryside Agency]](images/sub/_aonb_31_large.jpg)
![Couple Sitting on Cliff [© Clare Pawley Countryside Agency]](images/sub/CoupleSittingOnCliff_03-5432_r.jpg)
Blackdown Rings & the Upper Avon Valley
![Compass Plinth at Blackdown Rings [Seb Kelly © South Devon AONB Unit]](uploads/Compass plinth and castle earthworks at Blackdown Rings 200.jpg)
![Riverside Path [Seb Kelly © South Devon AONB Unit]](uploads/Riverside path 200.jpg)
The peaceful wooded Avon Valley, rich in wildlife and wildflowers, is a blissful spot. Explore the vale on this walk, with the river for company, taking in the superb Iron Age hillfort and sweeping views of Blackdown Rings.
- Start: Blackdown Rings car park
- Distance: 6.25 miles
- Circular walk: Yes
- Grade: Moderate
- Terrain: Footpaths and green lanes, reasonably even underfoot but muddy in places in wet weather; surfaced roads.
- Obstacles and steep gradients: No stiles; no steps; 1 steep ascent.
- Accessibility: This route is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
- Refreshment stops: Hazelwood House. Cream teas; lunches (bookings only). Just off road from Blackdown Rings to Gara Bridge. Use upper and lower drives to loop back onto walk route. 01548 821232.
- Toilets: Nearest public toilets at car park in Loddiswell.
- Parking: Blackdown Rings car park. Free.
- Accommodation: Please contact Kingsbridge Information Centre on 01548 853195 www.kingsbridgeinfo.co.uk
- Other facilities: Public payphone at Gara Bridge: 30m on left from where the return path meets road.
- OS map: Explorer OL20
- Grid ref: SX718519
Directions
To visit Blackdown Rings hillfort, go through kissing gate from car park and bear round to left.
To continue with walk, return to car park and turn right along road. At the next junction turn right. Bearing left follow the road down to Gara Bridge.
Turn left by the bridge. Turn right after 200m onto public footpath in front of Hothole Cottages. Take left fork once in woods.
Where path rises and meets the road, turn right. Road passes over a small bridge. At the following junction turn right over a dry bridge signed 'Diptford Cott', Diptford and Moreleigh'.
Just past a left turn, turn right in front of Willowbrook
along the lane towards Broadley. Walk through farm and along green lane following the river, ignoring left turns up Wheeldon Lane and Secret Hill.
Walk through courtyard of old mill to the road. Turn right, and then, just over the bridge turn left. Follow the road back uphill.
Bear left at the junction at the top of the rise and return to the car park.
