River Walkham, Dartmoor, Dartmoor National Park

River Walkham, Dartmoor, Dartmoor National Park

[Main photo: the River Walkham at Ward Bridge in the Walkham Valley]

 

From high moor to the western border of Dartmoor National Park

The River Walkham flows from remote, tussocky and boggy moorland on Dartmoor’s north moor through a heavily wooded valley to the western border of Dartmoor National Park near Tavistock where it meets the River Tavy. The combined rivers then flow into the River Tamar, Hamoaze and Plymouth Sound by the English Channel. We’ve split the River Walkham into three sections below.

 

The River Walkham and Dartmoor’s high moor

The River Walkham rises on the plateau of Dartmoor’s north moor near other headwaters. The River Tavy, West Dart River and Cowsic River all begin in this area of remote, tussocky and boggy moorland. Whilst you can walk up there relatively easily after a long spell of dry weather or in winter when the ground freezes, it’s tough going under normal, wet conditions. Fur Tor is roughly north, Cut Hill north east, Devil’s Tor south east, Conies Down Tor south and Lynch Tor to the west.

From the plateau, the River Walkham flows south in the direction of Great Mis Tor. The Lichway/Lych Way cuts across it. At this point Conies Down Stone Row is to the east and White Barrow to the west. The river curls around the mass of Great Mis Tor and cuts an impressive valley before it reaches the hamlet Merrivale. Langstone Moor Stone Circle, Roos Tor and the much photographed Great Staple Tor are to the west of the water at this point.

The B3357 runs over the River Walkham. The Dartmoor Inn is located by the river. English Heritage’s prehistoric Merrivale Complex is on flat moorland to the south east.

In this high moor section, we’d recommend viewing the River Walkham from the moor around Great Mis Tor. Park by the B3357 east of Merrivale (known locally as Four Winds car park) and follow the track marked on Ordnance Survey mapping to Little Mis Tor and then Great Mis Tor. You can drop down to the River Walkham here. Alternatively, start at the big car park at the top of Pork Hill west of Merrivale. Wander up to Great Staple Tor and continue to Langstone Moor Stone Circle. The River Walkham is to the east. If you fancy exploring the high moor around the headwaters, you can wander up to the Lichway/Lych Way and follow one of the army tracks marked on Ordnance Survey mapping to the Walkham Head area. After a spell of dry weather or in winter when the ground is frozen, it’s fun to walk to Lydford Tor from the car parking area at Holming Beam and then head north to Devil’s Tor/Beardown Man, the West Dart Head, Tavy Head and Walkham Head.

 

The Walkham Valley

From Merrivale, the River Walkham flows through one of Dartmoor’s many heavily wooded, steep-sided valleys down to Horrabridge. This section of the River Walkham is mainly on private ground although there is a way through it on the west side of the river. This route is magnificent and takes you past Hucken Tor in temperate rainforest.

The River Walkham flows under Merrivale Bridge and passes below two farms before entering an extraordinary section of woodland. A good path runs through the woods west of the River Walkham. This is clearly marked on Ordnance Survey mapping. You walk in an ancient, sunken lane and pass the granite stacks of Hucken Tor which, in turn, sits below King’s Tor and the moor by Princetown. The ancient, sunken lane meets a moorland road at Daveytown and continues south. There are superb views of the heavily wooded valley looking up to Vixen Tor and the Staple Tors beyond.

The River Walkham flows under Ward Bridge to Huckworthy Bridge and Horrabridge close to the western border of Dartmoor National Park.

In this Walkham Valley section, we’d recommend walking from Merrivale down to Ward Bridge. You then have the choice of looping west to Pew Tor or east to King’s Tor and English Heritage’s Merrivale Complex back to where you started.

 

The western border of Dartmoor National Park

The last section of the River Walkham heads west through another wooded valley to the border of Dartmoor National Park where it meets the River Tavy at Double Waters.

From Horrabridge, the river runs under Bedford Bridge and the A386 and skirts the beautiful Sticklepath Wood. The Walkham passes under Grenofen Bridge on Drake’s Trail and then curls around to Bymore Wood and then Double Waters. A footbridge crosses the water. The footbridge is part of the West Devon Way. Just downriver of Double Waters, there’s a big bend in the River Tavy that’s great for a wild swim.

The River Tavy heads down to Lopwell Dam and merges with the River Tamar. The National Trust’s Buckland Abbey is to the east of the River Tavy here. The Bere Peninsula is west. This area is part of the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

In this border section of the River Walkham, we’d recommend walking or cycling Drake’s Trail over Grenofen Bridge. Also follow the West Devon Way to Double Waters for a swim. Refer to Ordnance Survey mapping for detail.