Stepping Stones via Hexworthy

Four crossings and a well-earned pint

My friend Age and I set off from Dunnabridge Car Park at 9.50am, with mist and drizzle providing a typically Dartmoor welcome. We followed the road for around 500 yards before turning left onto a track, passing a standing stone and making our way to Laughter Tor. Here, we stopped for a ten-minute break, giving the weather a chance to improve. For another walk with Age that puts the tors centre stage, my Merrivale six-mile circular from Pork Hill takes in Cox Tor, Roos Tor and the Staple Tors.

With the mist beginning to lift and brighter skies appearing, we continued towards Bellever Forest. This is also the starting point for my Bellever Forest to Fernworthy Reservoir circular walk, a longer outing taking in the East Dart waterfall and Grey Wethers. Following the woodland edge, we eventually joined the main forest track before tackling a steep incline on our way to the first of four stepping-stone crossings.

Our first crossing of the East Dart River was in an idyllic setting, with a beautiful large house nestled among the trees to our left and an extensive garden stretching around it. The air was becoming noticeably warmer as the sun attempted an appearance, so we paused for a quick break and removed a layer. Dartmoor had apparently decided to change seasons halfway through the morning.

We continued towards Babeny Farm, passing through the farm before reaching another set of stepping stones across the East Dart. Having already crossed it once, we were clearly reluctant to end our acquaintance with the river quite so soon.

From there, we headed towards Brimpts Farm and followed the path out onto the main road. This presented us with an important navigational decision: follow the road back towards the car, or turn left towards Hexworthy and a pint at the Forest Inn.

The discussion was brief. In fact, calling it a discussion would be generous.

The walk to the pub seemed considerably longer than expected, as these things often do once a pint has been mentioned. Eventually, we arrived and enjoyed a welcome half-hour stop.

Refuelled and ready to go, we set off down the road, crossed a bridge over a stream and veered left onto a path leading into the woods. Waiting for us was—naturally—another stepping-stone crossing, this time over the River Swincombe.

We had barely settled back into our stride before reaching the fourth and final crossing. This was perhaps the loveliest setting of the day: stepping stones, flowing water and peaceful woodland providing a wonderful reason to pause and appreciate our surroundings.

The final stretch followed a muddy, rocky path back to the road, which eventually led us to Dunnabridge Car Park. We arrived at 3.40pm, bringing our outing to five hours and fifty minutes, including breaks and our essential pub research.