Lustleigh Cleave, Lustleigh, Dartmoor National Park
[Main photo: Manaton, Hayne Down and Hamel Down seen from the broad ridge that runs along the top of Lustleigh Cleave]
Stunning section of the Bovey Valley on the eastern side of Dartmoor
Many of Devon's most famous rivers rise on the high moors and flow down to the coast. On their way, they cut numerous stunning wooded valleys and cleaves on the fringes of Dartmoor National Park. Lustleigh Cleave, in the east of the park between the pretty village of Manaton and Lustleigh is a stunning section in one of these valleys. It's a joy.
Location of Lustleigh Cleave
The Bovey Valley runs between Foxworthy Bridge and Drakeford Bridge as marked on Ordnance Survey mapping. Cut by the River Bovey, steep-sided woods rise from the valley floor. On the north east side of the river, the landscape is particularly big and impressive. This is Lustleigh Cleave. It's generally accepted to mean the valley from above Foxworthy down to Hisley Wood.
We've positioned Lustleigh Cleave on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location. The cleave is clearly marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map or Ordnance Survey’s digital mapping.
Directions to, and parking at, Lustleigh Cleave
In our opinion, Hammerslake is the best starting point but it's remote. For easier parking, you can also start from Manaton, the car parks at the eastern end of Trendlebere Down or the parking area at Drakeford Bridge.
There's a car park by the church in Manaton. Using Ordnance Survey mapping, follow one of the many paths to one of the crossing points on the River Bovey. These are Foxworthy Bridge, Horsham Steps (boulder crossing only when river water levels are low) and Clam Bridge. Having crossed the river, explore Lustleigh Cleave.
There are lots of car parks at the eastern end of Trendlebere Down by the road between Pullbrook Wood and Yarner Wood. Walk the old road down to Hisley Bridge and then head up into Lustleigh Cleave.
There's a car park at Drakeford Bridge. Walk either bank of the River Bovey to Hisley Bridge and then head up into Lustleigh Cleave.
Lustleigh Cleave
A broad ridge runs along the top of the cleave. The cleave, or valley, wall is heavily wooded. The River Bovey flows through the bottom of the cleave. Highlights of Lustleigh Cleave include:
Hunter's Tor (Lustleigh Cleave/East Dartmoor) is at the north west end of the ridge. This rocky outcrop provides a remarkable view of the village North Bovey, the luxury hotel Bovey Castle and Dartmoor’s north moor beyond. Note the weathered ditches by Hunter’s Tor. These are part of Hunter’s Tor Hillfort which is one the many Iron Age hillforts that sit above river valleys fringing the high moor.
Harton Chest is a smaller rocky outcrop in the upper section of Lustleigh Cleave. It’s marked on Ordnance Survey mapping and provides amazing views of Lustleigh Cleave, the Bovey Valley Woodlands and the village Manaton. You’ll also see Hound Tor and Haytor Rocks. Be careful as there are huge drops off the side of Harton Chest.
The River Bovey runs along the valley floor at the bottom of the cleave. We’d recommend visiting after heavy rain as the noise down there can be intoxicating.
You can cross the water at Foxworthy Bridge, Horsham Steps and Clam Bridge. Note that Horsham Steps is a collection of giant boulders so don’t try to cross these when water levels are high.
Whilst there are numerous paths within the cleave, we'd suggest you stick to the main ones marked on Ordnance Survey mapping.
Recommended route to Lustleigh Cleave for the first time
This is our favourite route to Lustleigh Cleave. (It isn’t the easiest place from which to start however. For ease of access, we’d suggest you start at one of the many car parking areas on Trendlebere Down as mentioned above.)
Start at Hammerslake. Park in the lay-by at Hammerslake. Hammerslake is marked on Ordnance Survey mapping on the eastern side of Lustleigh Cleave below Sharpitor. Note that the moorland lanes leading to Hammerslake are narrow and steep in places. Be patient.
The lay-by might be full if you're visiting in the holiday season or on a busy weekend. Park in Lustleigh and walk up to Hammerslake instead.
You'll see a sign on the left hand side of the road. Follow the narrow, sunken path into the woods. Head up past spectacular rocky outcrops and a cave to Sharpitor and the ridgeline. The woods thin out and views appear on your left. Walk the broad ridge at the top of Lustleigh Cleave to Harton Chest.
Harton Chest is a rocky outcrop overlooking Lustleigh Cleave and the Bovey Valley Woodlands. If you have a head for heights, the views are sublime from the highest rock. Be careful as there are huge drops off the side of Harton Chest.
From Harton Chest, continue north west to Hunter's Tor. You leave woodland and cross open moorland. The views back down to the Bovey Valley Woodlands, and beyond to the sea, are massive. The pretty village Manaton and its church are to the south east. Haytor Rocks are visible to the south.
At Hunter's Tor, the north moor opens out. The huge dome of Cosdon Hill dominates the view to the high ground. The pretty village North Bovey and the luxury hotel Bovey Castle sit in countryside below. You'll also see the National Trust's Castle Drogo at the mouth of the Teign Gorge and Moretonhampstead in the Wray Valley.
Now drop down to Peck Farm and then turn left to Foxworthy and the mouth of Lustleigh Cleave. The River Bovey passes under Foxworthy Bridge.
Follow the path along the north bank of the River Bovey. This climbs through Lustleigh Cleave. You'll pass under Sharpitor on your way to Hammerslake and your vehicle.
This route is clearly marked on Ordnance Survey mapping.
Other routes and directions to Lustleigh Cleave
As is the case with all valleys on Dartmoor, you can walk in from many directions. Here are other routes.
Routes and directions to Lustleigh Cleave from the west
There's a car park by the church in Manaton. Using Ordnance Survey mapping, follow one of the many paths to one of the crossing points on the River Bovey. These are Foxworthy Bridge, Horsham Steps (boulder crossing only when river water levels are low) and Clam Bridge. Having crossed the river, connect with the loop described above.
Routes and directions to Lustleigh Cleave from the east
There's a car park at Drakeford Bridge. Walk either bank of the River Bovey to Hisley Bridge and then head up into Lustleigh Cleave to connect with the loop described above.
Routes and directions to Lustleigh Cleave from the north
North Bovey. This pretty village is located to the north west of Lustleigh Cleave. There’s a car park in the centre of the village. Follow the Dartmoor Way to Barnecourt and then wander down the moorland lane to connect with the footpath that takes you to Peck Farm or Foxworthy Bridge to connect with the loop described above.
Routes and directions to Lustleigh Cleave from the south
There are lots of car parks at the eastern end of Trendlebere Down by the road between Pullbrook Wood and Yarner Wood. Walk the old road down to Hisley Bridge and then head up into Lustleigh Cleave to connect with the loop described above.
Walking Lustleigh Cleave
We'd recommend the following walks:
Bovey Valley Woodlands, Lustleigh Cleave and Hunter's Tor Circular Walk.
Lustleigh Cleave Circular Walk.
River Bovey Lustleigh Cleave Circular Walk.
Manaton to Horsham Steps and Lustleigh Cleave Circular Walk.
Manaton to Heaven's Gate via Hisley Bridge Circular Walk.
Try also Manaton Rocks Walk for its views of Lustleigh Cleave.
The views from Lustleigh Cleave
The views from the broad ridge that runs along the top of the cleave are superb. As mentioned above, we’d recommend the views from Harton Chest and Hunter’s Tor.
Harton Chest. To the east are Teignmouth and the Devon coast. To the south you'll see Haytor Rocks and Hound Tor (East Dartmoor). Lustleigh Cleave and Bovey Valley Woodlands are below. Manaton is on the other side of the valley.
The views from Hunter's Tor (Lustleigh Cleave/East Dartmoor) are amazing. We particularly like the view to the west and north west with the high moors and the dome of Cosdon Hill (Cawsand Hill) dominating the skyline.
The area around Lustleigh Cleave
East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve. Explore Yarner Wood which is part of the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve.
Manaton. Visit the church and village green and then wander up to Hayne Down to see the famous Dartmoor attraction Bowerman’s Nose.
Hayne Down and Bowerman’s Nose. Hayne Down provides top views of Lustleigh Cleave and the eastern side of Dartmoor National Park. The much photographed granite stack Bowerman’s Nose is at the north west end of the broad and rocky ridge that tops the down.
Easdon Tor. We’d recommend wandering up to the trig point at Eadon Tor on top of Easdon Down. The views are sensational.
North Bovey. Visit this pretty moorland village as part of a loop from Lustleigh Cleave.
Moretonhampstead. Moreton as it’s known locally is a major Dartmoor gateway town to the high moor. See the National Trust’s 1 and 2 The Almshouses, look out for public art including ‘Dartmoor Flight’ (sparrowhawk in the centre of town) and relax in one of the many pubs/cafes.
Hound Tor. One of Dartmoor’s most famous tors is very easily accessible from a car parking area on its north west side. Drop down to see English Heritage’s Hound Tor Abandoned Medieval Settlement.
Hamel Down. Hamel Down is the huge hog’s back down that dominates the eastern side of Dartmoor. The views up top of the north moor, south moor and the heart of Dartmoor National Park are wonderful. English Heritage’s Grimspound is here.
Becky Falls. Becky Falls is a popular Dartmoor visitor attraction by Lustleigh Cleave. Great for families. The waterfalls are amazing after rain.
Parke Estate. Located by Bovey Tracey, the National Trust’s Parke Estate provides beautiful, gentle walks at the south east end of Lustleigh Cleave.
Bovey Tracey. This is another major Dartmoor gateway town. The House of Marbles is great.
Places to eat and drink near Lustleigh Cleave
The Cleave Inn is in the pretty village Lustleigh.
The Kestor Inn is on the other side of Lustleigh Cleave from The Cleave Inn.
The Ring of Bells Inn is in North Bovey.
The Edgemoor Hotel is located on the B3387 that descends from the high moor.
Home Farm Cafe is in the National Trust’s Parke Estate.
House of Marbles. There’s a nice cafe in the House of Marbles on the edge of Bovey Tracey.
Other gorges, cleaves and valleys in Dartmoor National Park
The Teign Gorge. In the north eastern section of Dartmoor near Chagford. The National Trust’s Castle Drogo dominates the mouth of the gorge. The beauty spot Fingle Bridge and the pub Fingle Bridge Inn are at the tail.
The Dart Gorge is located in the eastern section of Dartmoor National Park near the village Holne and above the national park gateway town Ashburton.
Lydford Gorge (National Trust). This area of temperate rainforest and woodland is much smaller than the Teign Gorge, Lustleigh Cleave and the Dart Gorge. There’s a super popular circular walk that takes you along the west bank of the River Lyd. Sensational experience. Our favourite time is May when the gorge bursts into life. Lydford Gorge is a National Trust property so charges apply.
Dewerstone Valley/North Wood (The Dewerstone area). This stunning valley is cut by the River Plym. It’s famous for its crags or vertical rock walls that are popular with climbers. We recommend wandering up to the Dewerstone Rock and then looping around Cadworthy Wood and North Wood via Cadover Bridge. Great circular walk that enables you to explore multiple woods.
Meldon Woods. The West Okement River flows from Dartmoor’s north moor past the famous Black-a-Tor Copse National Nature Reserve to Meldon Reservoir. From there, it flows under Meldon Viaduct to Meldon Woods. These woods are known for their bluebells which are normally at their peak in the first half of May.
West Cleave/Halstock Wood. Extraordinary place that few people explore. Moor Brook and the East Okement River meet at the bottom of West Cleave and continue to the northern border of Dartmoor National Park and Okehampton.
Belstone Cleave/Skaigh Woods. Belstone is a gateway village to Dartmoor’s north moor and some of the national park’s best tors. The village also overlooks a heavily wooded river valley. Enjoy a circular walk to Sticklepath and back.
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