Dartmouth To Dittisham Walk Guide

This circular walk takes you from Dartmouth, across the river to Kingswear, along the River Dart to Greenway and Dittisham, then back on the other side of the river. What makes this walk unique is you will have 2 river crossings. First from Dartmouth to Kinsgwear, and then from Greenway to Dittisham. You don’t cross over on a bridge though. You do it by boat. The Dartmouth to Kinsgwear crossing is a regular old boat. The next crossing is the special one though. You have to ring the bell, and a little boat comes and picks you up to take you across.

A large bell with the River Dart as a backdrop at Greenway, on the Dartmouth Dittisham circular walk.

This is the second time I have done the circular Dartmouth to Dittisham walk. The first time was almost a year to the day. That time, I did the walk in the opposite direction and it didn’t quite go to plan. I took some wrong turns and ended up on the shore line. It was low tide so I was able to walk along it….then things got hairy.

What happened the first time around….

There came a point when there wasn’t any ground to walk on. It was the river to one side, and the slither of bank to the other. I found myself scrambling along the side, hanging onto the trees.

In a normal situation I would have turned back. But in this case I was too far gone. The only way was forward.

I wasn’t alone though. I had met a guy doing the same route somewhere further back so we tried to figure it out together.

What was the walk from Dartmouth to Dittisham like?

Before doing the walk the first time around, I had read about it. It seems to be quite a famous walk around here. I had read about how it’s the best in the area. I’m always sceptical of claims like that. The word ‘best’ is often used as clickbait.

Having now done it, I can tell you that those claims aren’t a stretch. This really is one of the best walks I have done down here.

Looking downhill to the yellow and brown trees and the winding river Dart behind along the Dartmouth Dittisham walk.

I said I would come back and do it again to write about. This time following the correct trail. And 51 weeks later, I came back and did it.

What will you see on the Dartmouth to Dittisham walk?

You have a mix of woodland, crazy steep hills, jaw dropping views, a cute colourful village, a beautiful harbour town, 2 river crossings on a boat, and a walk alongside the steam train railway. You will also walk through the gardens of Agatha Christie’s home.

Looking along the pier towards the colourful facades of Dittisham partway through the walk from Dartmouth. There are a few people standing on the pier, and boats moored alongside it.

Looking across the river towards a thatched roof cottage in Dittisham on the walk from Kingswear and Dartmouth.

Dense forest trees covered in vine leaves along the Dartmouth Dittisham walk.

Looking through the valley with underling hills on the walk from Dittisham back to Dartmouth.

Looking down the green field hill with lots of trees at the bottom and the Dart River on the other side on the Kingswear to Greenway and Dittisham to Dartmouth walk. — You can see all the way out to sea

That cute colourful village I mention is Dittisham. It’s a truly unspoiled little river side settlement, with a local pub, and apparently one of the best places to go crabbing in Devon. Some say it’s the most attractive village down here. I won’t dispute that.

Is the Dartmouth to Dittisham walk easy to follow?

Yes. Sort of. As I said, the first time around I got lost. I can show you the exact moment I took a wrong turn, and then after that I was in the dark. You see, the route follows the Dart Valley trail, and its 99% well signposted. Once I took that wrong turn, there were no more signs, so anything went.

A wooden trail signpost with the blue symbol for the Dart Valley trail on the Dartmouth Dittisham walk.

How to cross the river on the boats?

The boat crossings are super easy. For the Dartmouth, Kingswear crossing, you want to take the lower ferry. You should see the pier from the town centre. Just go and stand on it, on the left end, and wait. They run very regularly, every day except Christmas Day, and at the time of writing costs £1.50 one way. They only accept cash on the boat, but they are also very trusting and let you go to the cafe on the other side to go and pay by contactless if you don’t have cash.

For the Greenway to Dittisham crossing, the is a big bell by the water. Go and ring it, and wait. The little boat will come for you. At the time of writing, it’s £2 to cross. They only accept contactless payment. No cash. The boat man has a card machine. This boat runs every day except Xmas and Boxing day.

You can even get a boat to take you between Dittisham and Dartmouth. You can read more about the boats here.

Which direction should you do the Dartmouth to Dittisham walk?

As it’s a circular walk, you can go in either direction, and I have done both.

The first time I did the walk, I walked clockwise, Dartmouth to Dittisham, then Greenway to Kingswear. This time I walked anti-clockwise, Kingswear to Greenway, then Dittisham to Dartmouth.

Each direction has it’s pros and cons, so I will tell you about them and you can decide which way you want to go:

Walk anticlockwise, Kingswear to Greenway then Dittisham to Dartmouth

The Kingswear to Greenway side is dominated by woodland, the other side has all the views. So it might be nice to save the views for later. Something to look forward to.

The start of this direction is along the railway track. So you could time the start of the walk for when a steam train is due to pass by. If you walk in the other direction, you won’t be able to time it.
The end of the walk back into Dartmouth is on a long not very nice busy road, however, it’s downhill the whole way and you get a nice view to the water and boats. If you are walking in the other direction, it’s uphill with no views.
I found this direction much easier to follow. From the beginning, it’s very well signposted.

Walk clockwise from Dartmouth to Dittisham, then Greenway to Kingswear

The Dartmouth Dittisham side is way more hilly, so you may want to get the hills done and out of the way first.
Following on from the above point, if you are planning a big pub stop in Dittisham, I would do the walk in this direction. So that the rest of the walk back to Kingswear and Dartmouth is easier. You may feel a bit sluggish after eating and drinking. If you are walking anticlockwise, then straight from Dittisham, it’s a long long never ending uphill slog.
Walking in this direction, I found it slightly harder to follow and I had to refer to my map a lot more. You also know that didn’t work out.

The start of the walk is on that long not very nice road. You will be walking uphill for a long way with nothing nice to look at. If you are going in the other direction, at least it’s downhill with a sort of nicer view.

Which way did I prefer?

If I was to go out and do it again, I would walk clockwise, purely to get the big hills out of the way first. But that’s only because I have already done it, got to walk past the steam train, plus I now know the route so won’t get lost.

However, if it’s your first time, I would walk anti-clockwise. You can time the start for a steam train passing, you are unlikely to get lost, and over at Greenway, whilst you wait for the boat to come and get you, you can sit and admire the view of Dittisham across the water.

Plus, if you start the walk clockwise, that not very nice walk out of Dartmouth doesn’t set a nice tone for the walk.

Logistics for the Dartmouth to Dittisham walk

Start/Finish: Dartmouth or Kingswear
How to get there: Dartmouth is located in South Devon. You either need a car or to get the bus. Bus number 92 gets you from Totnes to Dartmouth. Totnes is on the Great Western Train line. If you are staying in Paignton or Brixham, you can get a bus to Kingswear. Bus number 120 and 18 respectively.

Distance: 8.8 miles. I didn’t track the river crossing parts, so let’s say it’s 9 miles.
Time: 3h10min
Elevation: Highest point is about 157m. You will walk uphill a total of about 475m

Difficulty: Challenging
Option to shorten to the walk: From Dittisham, you can get a boat to take you back to Dartmouth.
Terrain: Dirt trail, some road, grass.

Amenities: Everything at Dartmouth. A couple of pubs, a little cafe next to the railway and some public toilets at Kingswear. At Dittisham you have the Ferry Boat Inn and the Anchorstone Cafe, that’s it.
Time of year: Early spring

Tips for the Dartmouth to Dittisham walk

Wear hiking boots. There are some steep bits on uneven ground.

Following on from above, it looks like it could get muddy during rainy periods. Actually, even when I did the walk, there was a bit of trail that looked like it was trying to be a river. Make those boots waterproof.
If you have the energy, stop off for a wander around the gardens of Agatha Christie’s house.
Be wary of bus times if you are travelling in from outside Dartmouth and Kinsgwear. At the time of writing, the bus from Paignton is every 2 hours and doesn’t run on Sunday. The bus from Totnes runs like twice or something on a Sunday (it’s fine on other days though). I came in from Totnes and learnt this the hard way. Not on this walk though. It was the next days walk from Kingswear.

Map for the Dartmouth to Dittisham walk

Note: I paused my tracker whilst I waited for the boat at Dittisham. I forgot to start it again until I crossed. That’s why there is a gap. But I promise, I did cross the river.

More walk ideas near Dartmouth and Dittisham will be at the end, with links to the full guides.

A Guide To The Dartmouth To Dittisham Walk

Starting from Dartmouth, you need to jump on the boat to take you over to Kingswear. As I said, they are very regular…more regular than buses. Once on the other side, walk onto the main road and turn left. You will walk past some of the colourful houses on your right and the harbour and railway line to your left.

The Dartmouth Kingswear ferry docked by the pier with a view across the water to the houses rising up the hill, at the start of the walk towards Greenway.

Looking up at the rows of colourful houses of Kingswear at the start of the walk to Greenway and Dittisham. — .

Walk alongside the railway

When you reach the gap in the wall, turn left through it, to walk across the bridge over the railway track. On the other side, walk along the path that runs next to the railway, and keep going straight. This is a nice little section, railway to your right and the river and boats to your left.

Looking down at the railway track as it curves to the left around the river Dart on the walk from Kingswear to Greenway. There are lots of boats moored on the side of the river and lots of trees on a hill ahead.

A narrow trail with a railway track to the right and river to the left on the Dartmouth Dittisham walk. There is a steam train coming towards the camera. There are trees to the right of the railway track.

If you timed it right, a steam train will pass by. Maybe say choo choo as it passes.

The first steep uphill

When you reach the road, keep going straight, and look out for the steps on the right of it. Go up them, and then turn right where you will have a steep but short uphill walk through the woods. When you reach the top, turn left onto the track.

Steps leading up into the bushes and trees on the right, and a road on the left.

Steps lea dinging uphill between the bushes on the walk from Kingswear to Greenway.

The road crossings

You will be under woods still, but then things open up for some nice views to the river, and a sign warning of dangerous pine cones.

Looking through a gap in the trees and over the rooftops to the river dart on the Dartmouth Dittisham walk.

A warning sign of pines cones falling on the stone wall.

Next you hit the first of two roads. You need to go straight across it to pick up the trail, but I want to warn you of this road, because you will be right on a blind bend. So be extra carful and listen out for cars. After the road, it’s a short downhill bit through woods again to reach the next road. This next road is a dead end one, so it’s quiet. Go straight across it and into the woods again.

The Long Woods

You will now be in woodland for almost the rest of the walk to Greenway. The woods are actually called Long Woods. I wonder if this is why.

A dirt trail with bushes to the right and a wooden fence and trees to the left on the walk from Kingswear to Greenway. There are a few people walking ahead on the trail

A dirt trail leading through the woodland trees on the walk from Kingswear to Greenway.

It’s a dirt trail, which is mostly flat but has a few steep hills. It’s very well signposted, but at the time of writing I found one turn which didn’t have a sign. From memory, it’s a T-Junction at the top of the first steep uphill. You turn left at this T-Junction.

At first when walking through the woods, you will have the occasional peak of the water down to your left, but then as you get higher up, and deeper in, there are no views.

A dirt trail in the woodland with the stump of an uprooted tree laying on its side on the walk between Kingswear and Greenway. — .

Walk out of the woods towards Greenway Gardens

You will know the woods are nearing their end when you start to get peaks of views again. When you reach a junction with this sign (photo below) turn right to go through the gate, and then downhill.

A trail signpost for the Dart Valley trail on the Kingswear to Greenway and Dartmouth to Dittisham walk.

A wooden style leading to a green field.

A narrow dirt trail leading downhill with trees and bushes to the left and a field to the right near Greenway on the walk from Kingswear. There is a wire fence separating the trail from the field.

At the bottom, turn right, and at the end you will see a signpost for Greenway Gardens. Follow it.

A wooden trail signpost next to a wooden fence and gate on the Kingswear to Greenway and Dartmouth to Dittisham walk.

You will first be walking on a bit of road between houses, then left onto a more established road, which then becomes a dirt trail. At the end, you will walk through a gate to a big open hill field with a gorgeous view down to the river on your left.

A dirt trail to the right and woodland to the left. There is a wooden trail signpost on the left of the trail.

A wide dirt path leading to a wooden gate ahead.

I mentioned at the beginning that all the views are on the Dartmouth Dittisham side of the walk, however, the exception is this bit (and the next bit about to come) I don’t have a photo to show you this bit as the sun was directly in frame and the photos are un-usable. You just have to imagine.

Walk the final stretch of the Kingswear Greenway side of the walk

Walk across the top of this hill field, then at the bench and gate on the right, go through it and walk up the hill. At first you don’t see anything but hill and sky, but when you reach the top, oh my gosh. Everything opens up for a fantastic view down the valley to the River Dart and villages.

Looking down the green grass hill towards the tree tops below and the winding river dart on the Kingswear to Greenway and Dartmouth to Dittisham walk.

Walk down to the bottom of the hill, where you will have 3 options.

Walk straight to the Greenway river crossing following the Dart Valley trail

Walk to the Greenway river crossing, a different more scenic way.
Explore the gardens first.

Today I did option 1. Option 2 is the way I walked last time.

Option 1

On the road, turn right (Dart Valley Trail signposts should be there to guide you). When you walk past the lodge, take the immediate bend back on the left. Follow this road all the way down to the river. This is the least interesting option. But it’s the official one.

A wooden trail signpost indent of a hedge and bush with pink flowers in Greenway, Devon.

A wide path with a big bush to the left with pink flowers in Greenway in Devon.

Option 2

This is a much more scenic route on a dirt trail through the woods. It also allows you to see the gardens a little.

From the road at the bottom of the hill, turn left, then at the fork, keep right. You should be walking past some lovely flowers. Somewhere along here, around the corner, there will be a trail to your right. Take that, and it will lead you all the way down to the Greenway river crossing.

Cross over the river from Greenway to Dittisham

You will get a lovely view across the river to the colourful buildings of Dittisham. It’s like Dartmouth and Kingswear but much cuter and smaller. You should see a very obvious big bell by the river. Go and ring it and wait. The little boat will come for you. If you have been waiting for a while and it hasn’t come, then ring it again.

Looking across the River Dart, from Greenway towards the colourful buildings of Dittisham on the walk from Kingswear and towards Dartmouth. There are a few little boats on the river.

A large bell with a rope next to the river Dart on the Dartmouth Dittisham walk. — .

Walk from Dittisham to Dartmouth

Now things get tough. It’s a long long walk uphill. First on road, up past the village houses, then turn left on the hairpin bend to continue walking uphill some more.

A road leading uphill, with pastel coloured houses of Dittisham to the right, on the walk to Dartmouth.

Top tip: Make sure to look back for a lovely view down the road to the river.

A road leading downhill, with a stone wall to the right, and white coloured stone buildings to the left on the Dartmouth Dittisham walk. Right at the bottom of the road you can see a peak of the river.

The road leading uphill on the left, and a wall to the right covered in leaves. There is a wooden trail signpost to the right with the blue dart valley trail sign on it.

Near the end, you should see a trail signpost directing you right, onto the trail. Now you have some more uphill. Further up, there will be a gate and stile on the left.

A rocky dirt trail leading uphill between the hedges.

Go through here. And guess what? You have even more uphill. It’s up here that you start to get those fantastic breathtaking far reaching views back down the valley.

A field with a few sheep grazing, and a hedge and fence to the left and a view further down to the left of the River Dart on the Dartmouth Dittisham walk.

Looking down the large hill with sheep dotted about, then a row of trees and the Dart River beyond that below.

Looking down the grass hill towards the river dart on the walk from Dittisham to Dartmouth. There are a few orange coloured trees at the bottom of the hill. There is some land on the other side of the river and the sea visible beyond that. — .

Continue walking up

Keep to the edge of the field, and follow it through the gate/stile into another field. Keep going along the edge through I think another gate/stile. Basically keep going until you reach the road. All the while going uphill.

Follow the road past Bozomzeal and to views out to the sea

Turn left on the road, and you will walk past some farm land, and maybe farm smells. You will walk past a little community of cute houses of Bozomzeal. Then just past here, take the right fork in the road. Then a bit further along, take the right at the next fork.

A country road with a tall green hedge on either side, and the top of a farm building ahead.

A road fork, with one leading uphill to the right and the other down to the left. The roads are separated by trees.

The road track leading to the left, and the trail leading up to the right towards the field.

This will take you into a field, which you now walk across.

When you walk across this field, you will start to get views over to Dartmouth and the sea. Actually, what you can see is Kingswear.

At the end, there are two paths, separated by hedge. Pick the right one. When you reach the junction, turn right (left photo below). Follow this and through the gate at the end (right photo).

Walk through the lush woods and ‘river’

You will now descend into woodland. Deeper in, the woods have a real tropical lush feel. I remember these woods very clearly from the last time I did the Dartmouth to Dittisham walk. These aren’t like normal English woods.

A rocky trail deep in the woods under a bush tunnel on the walk back from Dittisham to Dartmouth. There is a stream of water running down the trail.

A long dirt trail through the dense woodland on the Dartmouth Dittisham walk.

It’s also along here that I found myself walking downhill on a bit of path covered in a layer of water streaming down. I wondered what this must be like if there has been fresh rain. This is why I suggest waterproof shoes. Just incase.

The Junction

As you near the bottom, you will come across a junction with an information board on your left. This is where it all went wrong last time. I took the left trail.

Top tip: If you have lots of energy and don’t want to finish the walk yet, if you turn left here, it’s a really lovely walk through the woods and then some uphill to a big open green hill with fantastic views onto the river.

If you are tired and want to walk straight back to Dartmouth, then keep going down this main trail.

The river cottage, another big uphill, and the road

The trail becomes road as it leads you down to the river, to a little river side cottage and bridge. Go over the bridge and walk to the right of the cottage, and follow the road up as it curves to the left.

Looking along the river bed with a. few boats. There is woodland trees on both sides of the river.

A road leading to a small white stone walled house.

You now have a long uphill on road for almost the remainder of the walk. You do occasionally get some lovely views over to the left though.

Looking across the undulating hills towards the end of the Dartmouth Dittisham walk. There are groups of bushes and trees across the hills. — .

The final stretch of the Dartmouth to Dittisham circular walk

Things will level off as you walk through a housing area. But don’t be fooled, the trail isn’t this kind to you. Now you have some steps. At the bend where you see a dead end sign on the side road (see left photo below), go along it and up the steps a bit further along, which should bring you out next to the castle looking building (right photo).

Follow the road directly across from it, and at the big main road, turn left to walk downhill all the way to Dartmouth.

More walks near Dartmouth and Dittisham

For a detailed side by side look, you can read about the best walking trails around Dartmouth, and the Brixham walk guides (which is very near Dartmouth). Or for a quick look at a selection, see below.

Totnes to Dittisham is the other section of the Dart Valley Trail. Of the two, I definitely preferred the Dartmouth to Dittisham walk. This one isn’t bad at all though. My view of it was probably tainted because I had a scary cow encounter.

Little Dartmouth circular is a lovely little walk taking around around the peninsula of Dartmouth. You get lovely views in both directions. It’s not too challenging, but a good walk to give you the views and nature without tiring yourself out for the day.

Dartmouth Castle walk is one to do if you want to keep it chill, as it is very easy and simple. You get a lovely river view, walk past Dartmouth Castle, and along to a little hidden beach cove.

Dartmouth to Blackpool Sands walk takes you in the other direction from Dartmouth, along the coastline, past an interesting post box, and finishes at Blackpool Sands beach.

Kingswear to Brixham is not a walk for the faint hearted. This is a very challenging, insanely hilly walk. You can expect those fantastic coastline views in both directions and will probably find yourself on long stretches without anyone else around. Not many people are crazy enough to walk the full stretch. From Brixham it’s a short bus journey back down to Kingswear and Dartmouth.

Daymark circular is a shortened, taster version of the full walk from Kingswear too Brixham. That doesn’t mean it’s easy though. It’s also hilly, but as it’s shorter, much more manageable. It’s not a consolation walk though, as you are still rewarded with fantastic views.