Dartmoor · Moderate · Circular

Becky Falls and Lustleigh Cleave from Manaton

From Manaton down the path past Becky Falls into Houndtor Wood, over the Bovey and along the rocky crest of Lustleigh Cleave.

Distance
10.6 km (6.6 mi)
Ascent
378 m
Time
About 3 h 30 min
High point
325 m
Grade
Moderate

Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.

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Becky Falls and Lustleigh Cleave from Manaton
Derek Harper · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The walk

From the car park by Manaton church the walk takes a lane and then Manaton Footpath 33, which runs past Becky Falls: the falls are a private, paid attraction, and the public path passes close by without entering the grounds. It continues down through Houndtor Wood and crosses the River Bovey at Clam Bridge. A path climbs onto Lustleigh Cleave and follows its crest past Sharpitor and Harton Tor to Hunter's Tor and its Iron Age hill fort. The way back drops past Peck Farm to Foxworthy Bridge and follows field paths to Manaton.

It is 10.6 km with 378 m of ascent; allow about 3½ hours. The grade is Moderate. There are some long, steep climbs.

The woods are steep, muddy and lightly waymarked: the Woodland Trust advises a map. Stay on the public path at Becky Falls, which is fenced off from the estate trails. Ponies and sheep graze the open ground.

The car park by the church may charge; the map says so, a walkers' guide says it is free. There is no station near; the nearest is Newton Abbot, about 15 km away.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.

Good to know

  • Down the public footpath past Becky Falls (a paid attraction; the path passes close by but does not enter it)
  • Through Houndtor Wood and over the River Bovey by Clam Bridge
  • Along Lustleigh Cleave past Sharpitor, Harton Tor and the hill fort on Hunter's Tor
  • Back over Foxworthy Bridge and by field paths to Manaton

Summits on the way

  • Hunter's Tor 326 m

Getting there

Start: Manaton car park. 50.61707, -3.76858

Directions to the start

Places to stay nearby

Rooms in and around Newton Abbot: Booking.com → Expedia →

Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.

Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.