WALKING ROUTES: THE RALEIGH ESTATE
Dartmouth - Dittisham Original Route
One of the prettiest and most varied parts of the Dart Valley Trail that runs from Dartmouth to Totnes. This route takes in a long section of the Raleigh Estate via the original trail path.
Route map for Dartmouth To Dittisham 1 by Robert Green on plotaroute.com
Dartmouth - Dittisham Via Permissive Footpath
This follows a broadly similar route to the previous one but involves a detour along a permissive path through the Raleigh Estate that runs along the edge of Old Mill Creek. It's probably an even prettier route than the original but be prepared for a steep climb half way along.
Route map for Dartmouth To Dittisham 2 by Robert Green on plotaroute.com
TOP TIPS
- To make this a circular walk you could combine the two routes above.
- Alternatively, you could use the ferry between Dittisham & Dartmouth for the outward or return leg.
- Or, if you’re feeling particularly energetic, cross from Dittisham to Greenway on the ferry and walk back to Kingswear along the eastern bank of the Dart before crossing back to Dartmouth on another ferry.
Dittisham-Fire Beacon Hill Circular
Not a particulary long walk but quite a strenuous one if you start from the river - it's all up and then all down. The views from the top are fantastic taking in Dartmoor to the north and Torbay to the east. On a good day you can see all the way across Lyme Bay towards Portland Bill.
Old Mill Creek - Downton Circular
Explore a lesser known route around the Raleigh Estate. Starting at Old Mill Creek you partly follow the Dart Valley Trail up Lapthorne Lane before continuing on to the head of the valley at Downton before descending back down another wooded valley to your starting point.
Sandquay Woods
This permissive footpath is a favourite with dog walkers. Sandquay Woods runs along the southern shore of Old Mill Creek close to Britannia Royal Naval College. There's a Victorian Folly and the remains of an 18th century Pleasure Garden.
The South Hams Way
This is the big one - A spectacular 100 mile circular walk through the best bits of the South Hams which includes a section through the Raleigh Estate. This route takes in fifty miles of the South West Coast Path, five river estuaries and the wilds of Dartmoor.
