Bridford Wood (National Trust), Dunsford, Dartmoor National Park
If you're feeling energetic, you can follow the River Teign through a stunning wooded gorge and valley all the way from the National Trust's Castle Drogo in the west to Steps Bridge in the east. Whiddon Deer Park and Whiddon Wood are at the mouth of the gorge to the west. Bridford Wood is at the tale of the valley to the east.
Bridford Wood is a beautiful place. Most people head to Steps Bridge to explore Dunsford Local Nature Reserve. If time permits, we'd also recommend you explore Bridford Wood.
We've positioned Bridford Wood on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.
To visit, head for the car park by Steps Bridge. There are various routes you can follow from here.
For those visiting for the first time, we'd suggest you try the Steps Bridge to Heltor Rock Circular Walk. Cross the road and wander down in the direction of Steps Bridge. Very shortly, you come to a signpost at the entrance to Bridford Wood on your right. You'll see the forest track split ahead of you. Take the track to the right. Cross a stream and follow the route described in our Steps Bridge to Heltor Rock Circular Walk listing.
Alternatively, take the track to the left. This is a bridleway that rises to the eastern end of the wood. From there, you can drop down to Dunsford Stepping Stones and follow the River Teign back to the car park at Steps Bridge or you can climb to the very top of the wood and loop back via a recently opened path to the car park.
In addition, you can follow the River Teign downstream through the woods to see the stepping stones on a bend in the river opposite a cluster of buildings. Either return on the same track or yomp up the steep valley wall to connect with the bridleway mentioned above.
There are other walks you can take. For example, there's a path opposite Steps Bridge car park that climbs west through the woods. It takes you to the B3212. A new path has been opened up on the other side of the road that drops down to the River Teign across the water from Dunsford Local Nature Reserve. You then walk with the river on your left back to the car park.
From this path opposite Steps Bridge car park, you can also complete the Steps Bridge to Heltor Rock Circular Walk in reverse.
Note that in recent years, more paths have been opened up in this area. The latest paper and digital versions of the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map show these.
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