East Devon 8 Trigs

So, what’s involved?

Back for a 3rd year, 12th November 2022.

33 and 21 mile (53km /34km) options
Self navigate
Teams of 2 – 6
Solo entries available for confident navigators
Open to runners and walkers

Trigpoints are the common name for “triangulation pillars”. These are concrete pillars, about 4′ tall, which were used by the Ordnance Survey in order to determine the exact shape of the country. They are generally located on the highest bit of ground in the area, so that there is a direct line of sight from one to the next. By sitting a theodolite (an accurate protractor built into a telescope) on the top of the pillar, accurate angles between pairs of nearby trigpoints could be measured. This process is called “triangulation”.

http://trigpointing.uk/info/trigpoints.php

Our Event

Eight of these trig points sit on a beautifully varied trail loop in East Devon. The route starts on Budleigh Salterton seafront and follows the South West Coast Path to High Peak trig point. Far reaching views from here extend to Berry Head to the South West and Portland to the East. The 8 Trig route continues from here along the coast to Weston Cliff, before heading inland to find Buckton and Beacon Hill trigs. After reaching High Peak, the 5 Trig route crosses Mutters Moor, before dropping down into the Otter valley. The 8 Trig route rejoins the 5 Trigs at the footbridge over the River Otter at Harpford. The next part of the route follows the East Devon Way, with short diversions to locate Aylesbeare, Woodbury and Black Hill trig points. From here, you head towards East Devon Golf Course and find West Down Beacon trig on the junction with the South West Coast Path. A downhill section from here takes you back to Budleigh Salterton.

On the 12th November 2021, teams of 2-6 will leave at staggered start times. You must stay with at least one other person at all times. Solo entries permitted for confident navigators only. Each team will need to record their route on Strava (or similar app) for verification later.

2 well stocked aid stations on 8 Trigs route (1 on 5 Trigs route)
First aid cover at checkpoints and mobile units in between
Special medal for all finishers

Participant information 2021 (download handbook below)

8 Trigs handbook 2021

The Route

All trig points can be found without the need for complicated navigation techniques. However, a basic understanding of navigation will be required as the 8 trigs route isn’t way marked. Total distance is approximately 33 miles.

The shorter 5 trigs route avoids the biggest hills on the Eastern part of the course. A total distance of just over 21 miles.

Both routes will be available on ViewRanger and a GPX file can be downloaded. If you prefer a traditional map, Explorer 115 (Exmouth and Sidmouth) covers the whole route.