4 Of The Best Walks From Our Dartmouth Chalets
Summer is finally around the corner! It might seem too good to be true but at last it looks like winter is behind us and it’s time to enjoy the sunshine once again. Holidays in our Dartmouth Norton Park chalets are perfect for doing just that, but when you’ve had to wait so long for warmth to return to the stunning Devon coastline we want to help you make the absolute most of your time here.
That’s why for summer 2022 we’ve prepared a small collection of some of our favourite walks in the area so you can get the best from your Dartmouth holiday.
Our 4 Favourite Dartmouth Walks For When You’re Staying At Our Chalets
There really is nothing quite like taking a nice long walk at your own pace and enjoying the light and warmth of a perfect summer. After a long winter and, let’s face it, two long years being all but trapped indoors, the best way to shake off the cobwebs and get back in touch with the countryside again is to get out and experience it for yourself.
In the article below, we’ve outlined our four favourite walks to do just that while you’re staying at our Dartmouth Chalets. So, without further ado, here are our four favourite Dartmouth holiday walks this summer.
4) The Dartmouth Town Trail – 1.6 Miles
What better way to kick off this list of Dartmouth walks when staying at our Dartmouth Chalets, than with a lovely short walk that allows you to explore the town itself? This delightful and very gentle trail takes you along the historical sites of this beautiful harbour town.
With the adventures and history of pirates, merchants and fisherman to explore, and plenty of pubs and lunch spots to take in along the way, this is a fantastic walk for all the family that can be easily completed by almost anyone at their own pace.
3) Dartmouth To Sugary Cove – 2 Miles
There’s few sweeter things in life than taking a long walk that carries you from the urban hustle and bustle to deep into the heart of nature. The Dartmouth walk to Sugary Cove does that perfectly. After making the trip into town from our Dartmouth chalets, the walk begins on Dartmouth’s castle road in the shadow of the famous Dartmouth castle. You’ll then pass through the picturesque village of Warfleet as you make your way over the nearby creek. Soon, you will leave the roads behind and enter the green world of forest paths. Following the trail, you’ll arrive at the stunning hidden gem that is sugary cove. A lovely spot to relax and enjoy after a walk well done.
While this all feels like quite an adventure, this is actually a fairly easy walk with a nice return journey. A great way to round off a morning spent taking in the Dartmouth sights and indulging in some local ice cream.
It’s also worth noting that sugary cove is a tidal beach that becomes fully cut-off at high tide, so make sure you plan your journey beforehand!
2) The Circular Walk To Blackpool Sands – 10 Miles
This walk starts from the centre of Dartmouth and is perfect for those after a challenge on their Dartmouth holiday. After dragging yourself away from the many great cafes and eateries Dartmouth has to breakfast in (we’ve made a list of our top 10 restaurants & cafes to visit around Dartmouth here!), you’ll make your way out of the centre and up the high road to pass through woodland.
There’s a nice place to rest and enjoy the views at the top of this slope before setting off on the second leg of your journey. With the woodland now behind you, the path winds across open fields beside gentle bushes, with a few kissing gates to pass through along the way. Heading past the little Dartmouth car park, you’ll arrive at Stoke Fleming – a pleasant little village set within the South Devon area of outstanding natural beauty.
After passing through the village and heading down the hill (maybe after stopping off for a drink and a bite to eat at one of the pubs nearby) you will soon see the Blackpool sands emerging out of the scenery below. As you reach the bottom of the slope, you’ll find nothing but sand beneath your feet and one of the best beaches that South Devon has to offer.
If you aren’t sure that you can make the full journey, taking the Dartmouth castle ferry will shave two miles off the start of your walk, making it much more manageable for inexperienced walkers. In addition, there’s a convenient bus stop near the Blackpool sands beach, allowing you to take a relaxing ride home if you need to rest your feet after this long journey. This walk has some of the best views in the area and is a great way to spend your Dartmouth holiday.
1) The Dart Valley Trail – 12 Miles
Make sure to pack some walking boots if you’re planning to tackle the Dart Valley Trail! While this is a long route and can be quite challenging, it’s a favourite of visitors at our Dartmouth chalets. Beginning from the Dartmouth quayside, this adventure kicks off with a pleasant trip across the river on the passenger ferry to Kingswear. After passing through the harbour there, you’ll find yourself walking alongside the railway, perhaps even getting to see the popular Dartmouth steam railway as you pass by. This is a treat in itself and is one of our 5 must do activities for your Dartmouth holidays.
As you continue on, after stopping to admire the stunning views of Dartmouth behind you, the path cuts upwards through the nearby forest. After winding through these narrow trails in the shade of the green canopy rustling above, you’ll emerge at the edges of some fields with beautiful farmland stretching all the way to the horizon.
Next, you’ll follow signs to greenway – one of the most famous areas in Dart valley. The walk carries on over more fields but now with the shining ribbon of the river dart framing the scenery beyond. As you continue through to the greenway estate and over the brow of the following hill, the path threads through another patch of woodland before finally emerging at the greenway quay. Here, you can take the ferry over to the village of Dittisham and if you so choose take a well-earned rest at one of the establishments here.
The Journey Back To Your Dartmouth Chalets
To complete the circular route, you’ll head up the slope and back into the trees before once again coming to the edge of a beautiful field and another stunning glimpse of the beautiful river dart, often populated by many small boats bobbing up and down in the glistening water. Continuing on the field path and heading over a turnstile or two, you’ll emerge at the top of green lane with the familiar sight of Dartmouth in the distance to greet you. Pressing on down the hill as you walk alongside the river and heading through a wonderfully atmospheric trail through the pine forest, you’ll end up at Raleigh estate. From here you’ll head over to Old Mill Creek and continue until you arrive in Townstal.
Now you have a choice to make. Make your way down the hill towards Dart Marina and head along to make your way back to Dartmouth this way, or cross the main road and pass through the Townstal path fields until you reach the marketplace in the very centre of Dartmouth. Either way, it’s time for a hard-earned rest back at your Dartmouth chalet.
With so many views to take in and the satisfaction of completing a long adventure, we think that this is one of the best things to do in & around Dartmouth.
Start An Adventure At Our Dartmouth Chalets
There really is nothing like getting out in nature, stretching your legs and taking in the South Devon views and fresh air. There’s no better place to do just that than our Dartmouth Chalets in Norton park. If this article has captured your imagination and put you in the mood for an adventure, don’t hesitate to contact us on 01803 900154 or by email at info@dartmouthdevonholidays.co.uk to enquire about availability for this summer and find out more information about our fantastic chalets in Dartmouth.
