Devon Coast to Coast
Devon Coast to Coast – Easter 2018
Join us in 2018 for an exciting and unique event; The 117 mile Devon Coast to Coast.
There are two ways you can join us on this special challenge:
Run 4 legs, over 4 days, covering just over a marathon a day, or complete the 117 mile route in the generous time limit of 48 hours!
117 miles non stop £130 – (31st March 2018)
117 miles over 4 days £180 – (30th March – 2nd April 2018)
117 miles over 4 days – Relay team of 4 – £200 – (30th March – 2nd April 2018)
Starting in Wembury, in the beautiful South Hams, you will follow the 17 mile Erme-Plym Trail to Ivybridge where you will meet the Two Moors Way, a 100 mile waymarked trail from the South of Dartmoor to North of Exmoor where it meets the sea in Lynmouth.
As well as the incredible views from the highpoints of the course, you will pass by many sites on the way: Grimspound stone circle, Fernworthy Reservoir, Chagford, The Teign Valley, Exe Head to name a few. The route even nips over the border into Somerset and back into Devon on Exmoor!
We will ensure you are looked after, with fully-stocked checkpoints including hot drinks and hot food when you need them most!
More details to follow on locations of checkpoints, the 4-day start/finish points, as well as accommodation and transport options etc.
Entries limited to 100 in total.
Camping / B&B available at River Dart Country Park for the whole weekend with transport available out and back to each stage.
Camping and Transport packages are bookable below.
Families welcome to camp at River Dart Country Park with full use of Park facilities. Please contact us for details.
Book your place below.
Put the date in your diary so you don’t miss out! Keep an eye on this page to keep up to date with the event details.
Devon Coast to Coast – Day 1 (Wembury to Newbridge)
Starting on the beach at Wembury with one foot in water (optional of course!), knowing that you will not see the beach or the coast again for 117 miles (and anything up to 48 hours) later.
The first leg of your journey is a relatively gentle start to the challenge, with the terrain made up of light trails, woods, and tarmac through the some of the villages of the South Hams; Ermington, Brixton, Yealmpton and finally Ivybridge. Brixton in Devon may not have an O2 academy but it does have a very good corner shop, right on the route too!
Navigation is fairly straightforward as the signage for the Erme-Plym trail is well-kept and easy to spot. The route is mostly rolling hills, criss-crosses over a few rivers including the Yealm and the Erme which the route runs along side for a few kilometres. The further you go, the more of Dartmoor you will see in the distance; the beauty of what’s still to come!
On the approach to Ivybridge, the route becomes more obviously urban, with the sound of the A38 overhead and the buzz of Ivybridge town centre. Here the route switches from the Erme-Plym Trail and begins the Two Moors Way National Trail. Now the real fun begins.
As you ascend out of Ivybridge, you will meet an old tramway which lasts for about 10km before you turn off and hit the open moor for the first time. You will cross the river Avon, stepping over a beautiful clapper bridge, and head towards Avon Dam Reservoir, here you will experience the peace and tranquillity of the moor with just the sound of the river and the sight of sheep. After a few miles of navigating, you will land in the villages of Scorriton and then Holne before ending up at the iconic medieval bridge, New Bridge.
Day 2 (Newbridge to Hittisleigh)
Starting under New Bridge, you head up the river Dart across Spitchwick common; a popular spot for wild swimming. Some of you may well be tempted to take a dip at the end of Day 1! This riverside section is short-lived, as you start the 260m ascent over the next 3.5km. During this climb you will follow part of ‘Dr Blackall’s Drive’, a well trodden path with views opening up over the Dart valley, here you pass over 4 tors: Leigh, Aish, Mel and Bel Tor.
After dropping into Ponsworthy and up out the other side, you soon arrive at one of the highlights of the 2 moors way, the Hamel Down; a ridge with 360 degree views, and the highest point of the Coast to Coast route; Hameldown Tor at 529m. The views get better with every step you take; to your right you will see the distinct shape of Haytor Rocks, to your left; Dartmoor prison in Princetown. Ahead of you the outline of Exmoor, and take a look behind to see where you’ve been and look back as far the sea at Teignmouth!
Tucked away beyond Hamel Down is Grimspound, a bronze age settlement with its recognisable round shape, one of the best preserved on the moor. You then follow a well-defined path with the famous Warren House Inn in sight as you approach Bennett’s Cross, a way marker dating back to the 13th Century; this is a prime spot for ponies and sheep. The next part of the journey passes by Fernworthy Reservoir, (just out of sight behind trees) and Hurston Ridge, a fascinating double stone row, worth a small diversion from the route, another area popular with moorland animals!
The running then gets easier as you go through the hamlets of Teigngnworthy and Teigncombe before meeting the Teign River; passing the village of Chagford and its charming outdoor swimming pool (should you fancy another swim!) Your next stops are the beautiful Fingle Woods, Castle Drogo and Drewsteignton, all worth a visit on their own.
Just outside the village is the official boundary of Dartmoor National Park, marked with a special stone which faces a similar one at the boundary of Exmoor. A few miles of footpaths through proper Devon countryside to the finish of the day at Hittisleigh.
Day 3: Mid Devon
With Dartmoor a recent memory, this section sees the runners head through the heart of the Devon countryside on towards Exmoor. Leaving Hittisleigh, you will start the day in the quiet country lanes, down narrow footpaths, through woods and across fields. Fairly early in the run, you arrive at a small railway crossing; this is the line that connects Exeter to Okehampton; though trains only run a handful of times a day, it is still worth keeping an eye out!
The next few miles of the journey visits a few pretty Devon villages, some real hidden gems; this should work well for support crews helping you out along the way and providing that cup of tea you might need; Morchard Bishop and Witheridge are two of the larger ones.
As you approach Knowstone, Exmoor comes more into sight and the excitement of leg 4 builds. You will pass by a Boar farm, don’t be alarmed by the sight, smell and sounds of the animals. With all the farmland and countryside from this leg, you will be used to all sorts of animals by this point!
A couple more fields and lanes and you will reach the checkpoint at Yeo Mill Village Hall, a stone’s throw from the Exmoor boundary.
Day 4: Exmoor and the finish at Lynmouth
Starting in the Yeo valley at Yeo Mill, you will start with a climb, it will be worth it as this will take you to the official Exmoor boundary, and the boundary stone to match the one at Drewsteignton. From here you can see right over Exmoor and towards your next destination, Barle Valley. After crossing some farmland you will reach the famous Tarr Steps, a clapper bridge made up of 17 slabs, the longest in the country.
You will follow the Barle river until you reach the village of Withypool; an opportunity to refuel before re-joining the riverside path. The path takes you to ‘Cow Castle’, an Iron Age hill fort, next to it another hill, aptly named ‘The Calf’. You then arrive in Simonsbath and from here the end of your journey is in site.
After a short climb and some open moorland, you will walk right through Exe Head, the start of the river Exe! The route then follows another river valley, that of ‘Hoaroak Water’; with high rises on both sides it will feel like just you and the ponies and brings some comfort knowing you are entering the last 10k.
Once you reach the main road into Lynmouth there is just one more climb, but it’s all worth it, because on reaching the top, you get a stunning view of the tree-covered hills, the Bristol Channel, and more importantly the finish! Heading up this winding path you reach a height of 260 metres before dropping all the way down to sea level. A little trot along the tarmac to the official finish point of the Two Moors Way, and you’re all done. There’s even a book to sign to recognise the achievement of running from coast to coast!
