Drakes Trail Walk Guide

I came about the Drakes Trail, sort of by accident, and I walked it out of desperation. Let me explain….

The day before, I had traveled 1 hour from Plymouth to Tavistock, with the intention of getting the 10:50 Dartmoor Explorer into Dartmoor. I waited at the bus stop (one stop ahead of the first stop – this is important). However, nothing came. I checked online and couldn’t find anything saying it was cancelled, in fact, everything I saw said it was running. So I wondered if the bus had been on diversion which is why it never came to this stop. The next Dartmoor Explorer was in 2 hours. I got myself some coffee, and did a little research to see where I could walk instead, and noticed the Drakes Trail. It looked to run mostly near a big road which I didn’t fancy, so I cut my losses and went home.

Try and try again

The next day I came back out to try again. When I arrived in Tavistock I had just missed the 9:50 Dartmoor Explorer, so I went and bought some coffee and waited for the 10:50. This time at the start of the bus line.

I waited. It gets to 11:15 and still nothing has come. I’m not the only one waiting though. One woman gives up and leaves, another couple are searching online to try and find some information. There is no update on their twitter, or the Dartmoor Explorer Website….then they find it. The information we all needed. Due to driver shortage, the 10:50 bus yesterday and today had been cancelled. The exact bus I had been trying to get.

Did I just travel for an hour to buy a coffee, two days in a row? The next bus was in 2 hours, but that wouldn’t leave enough time in Dartmoor before the last bus back (at 3:30), which also turned out to be cancelled anyway.

The Drakes Trail

The couple recommended I do the Drakes Trail. I told them I wasn’t so sure, due to it being near a road, and I don’t fancy the road noise. However, they assured me you don’t notice the road. I thought about it a little. It was a Sunday, and buses back to Plymouth are hourly. I had just missed one. I could walk the Drakes Trail from Tavistock to Yelverton, and at Yelverton I could get the bus back to Plymouth anyway. I figured I might as well do it. I wasn’t about to lose another day.

So that’s how it happened.

What was the Drakes Trail like?

I discovered it’s actually a cycle path, route number 27, and runs all the way to Plymouth. I was also pleasantly surprised by it. First of all, I can confirm that you can hear the road, but it’s not always bad, and for most of the way it’s a faint hum in the background. The route is very green, with lots of bushes and trees, some sheep, and a bunch of Dartmoor ponies.

A bicycle path lined with bushes and trees on the Drakes trail walk.

White and brown ponies grazing on the large grass field on the Drakes trail walk.

It’s an easy route both under foot and navigation wise, and the only noticeable hill is at the end, on the walk into Yelverton. Now, my elevation graph tells me the walk is a gradual undulating uphill the whole way, although I never noticed it. It was just that one at the end I noticed.

Now, there are two things on the Drakes Trail walk, which make it really stand out…..

The tunnel and the bridge

First, there is a bridge tunnel you walk through (Grenofen tunnel), which is the creepiest thing I have ever experienced. It’s a very very long never ending tunnel, with cave vibes. There are a few lights in there, but they are minimal, so it’s pitch black in parts and you literally can’t see anything except the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s the kind of tunnel where you think about how you wouldn’t want to walk in here alone…except I was alone.

Looking through a dark and long stone walled tunnel with a light in the distance at the end of it, on the Drakes trail walk.

The second thing is the Gem Bridge. It’s a super high walkway bridge across the tree tops. It gave me de ja vu of tree top rainforest walkways. It is pretty incredible, and you have views as far away as the Dartmoor Tors. If you do anything out here, I would say come to this bridge.

A path leading to a bridge which ruins along the tree tops, on the Drakes trail walk.

Logistics for the Drakes Trail walk

Start: Tavistock
Finish: Yelverton
How to get there: Located just on the outskirts of Dartmoor National Park. Both Tavistock and Yelverton are connected by the bus number 1 which also runs to Plymouth. In Tavistock, the number 1 goes to the main bus terminal, in Yelverton, it goes to the big roundabout.

Distance: 6 miles
Time: Just under 2h
Option to shorten the walk: Yes. See tips.

Terrain: Asphalt, concrete, road.
Difficulty: Easy
Time of year: Spring

Dog friendly: Most of it is, except near Yelverton, where there are some roaming sheep and ponies.
Amenities: Everything in Tavistock. Near the creepy bridge there is a cafe. Yelverton has a co-op, cafe and pub.

Tips for the Drakes Trail walk

Normal trainers are fine for this walk

If you want to avoid the creepy tunnel, walk the Drakes Trail the other way from Yelverton, then turn back at the Gem Bridge.
The couple mentioned to me it’s a popular trail, so gets quite busy, however, I did this on Sunday and it wasn’t busy at all. I could have got lucky though.
If you are a runner, this trail would be perfect for that.

It also goes without saying, that this is a good route for cyclists, because it is in fact a cycle route.
The worst part for road noise, is the first section of the walk from Tavistock (which technically isn’t the Drakes trail anyway), and then right at the very end as you enter Yelverton. So you could take some headphones and listen to nice music for this bit…or bird noise songs.
If you want to shorten the walk, you could end it at Horrabridge (about 4.5 miles in). The number 1 bus between Tavistock and Yelverton runs through here.

Map for the Drakes Trail walk

If you want more of Dartmoor, check out the Best Walks In Dartmoor National Park. Alternatively, more walk ideas near the Drakes Trail, with a full link to the guides, will be at the end

A Guide To The Drakes Trail Walk

First you need to get to the start of the Drakes Trail, and you have two walk options to get there in Tavistock….The quicker way on the road, or the slightly longer more scenic way. I of course chose the scenic route. I will guide you if starting from the main Bus Terminal. If you have come to Tavistock by bus, then you have probably ended up here.

Walk towards Drakes Trail along the Tavistock Canal

From the bus terminal, go to the main road and turn right. Then turn left into the parklike area with tennis courts, and a bit further along, you will reach the Tavistock Canal. Cross over the bridge and walk along it to the right.

a path on the left and a patch of green on the right leading to some tennis courts. There are woodmen benches on the green.

Looking along the river, with a path on the left and tennis courts on the right. There are ducks on the river.

Although it was quite pretty along here, I still wasn’t convinced. Not quite the Dartmoor walk I had planned today.

Keep going and cross over the road on the other side. Note. There is an option to walk under the bridge on the left if you don’t want a road crossing.

Over the bridge and onto the trail on the other side, there will be an immediate fork. Take the right to get onto the canal again. If you went under the tunnel, you will need to turn right when through it, to get to this fork.

A trail split, divided by a tall hedges/bush.

The path with a stream of water to the right and tell hedges and bush to the left. There is a row of houses lining the stream on the other side.

A path with the stream on the right with a field on the other side. There is a tall hedge on the left of the trail.

At first the canal runs next to some houses, then the houses disappear and everything becomes more nature like.

You will then walk under the trees for a bit, but you need to keep an eye out for a left turn. It’s not obvious. To spot it, keep an eye out on the left for a little wooden plank bridge thing down below.

a wide path under the woods, running alongside a steam of water on the right.

Looking down the uneven woodland ground, under lots to trees. There is a small Woden walkway at the bottom. — See that little bridge thing down the bottom

Leave the Tavistock Canal to walk through the residential area

When you see the wooden plank thing, go down to it, and continue straight. First along a tree lined trail, then next to a playing field, and then over the bridge to reach the road.

A cycle path lines with bushes and trees.

A cycle path with bushes and wire fence on the right, and a wooden fence on the left.

The cycle path turning into a bridge leading towards some trees on the other side.

From this point on it’s very well signposted for the rest of the walk to Drakes Trail. Look out for the stickers with a picture of a bike and the number 27.

At this one, you turn right, then left at the warehouse:

A wooden trail signpost next to a wooden fence.

the road, with a warehouse building on the left.

Then walk across a car park, and onto the main road – You will then see a path sticker across the street. Follow it.

A blue walking and cycling signpost in front of the trees.

A blue walking and cycling signpost on the other side of the road.

Further along the main road, the signs will direct you to the left and along a residential area.

A blue signpost which says Drakes Trail, at the start of the walk out of Tavistock.

a path with bushes to the right and some bushes and flowers to the left in front of the houses.

The next sign tricks you a little. At the next junction, it directs you left. So far so good.

Looking across the road to a red post box and a blue walking and cycling signpost, infant of the bushes and trees.

Then there is another one telling you to go down onto the stream. I went down onto it and there is no way to walk along there. Unless you have a boat. What you need to do instead, is just follow it along the road.

You will be walking in residential areas for a bit, with a few bends and curves, all signposted with the bike sticker. Keep following them, and they will lead you to the start of the Drakes Trail, where the real walk now begins.

The path leading to a wooden gate with a brown sign that says 'Drakes Trail' and the start of the walk.

Walk along Drakes Trail

The rest of the way is as simple as just following this main path. It will be a mix of tree and bush lined, and open bits next to fields. But mostly tree lined.

A wide cycle path with bushes and trees to the right and a wooden fence and green grass field on the left.

Grenofen Tunnel (the creepy one)

Just before you reach the creepy tunnel, there is a fork junction. The left one takes you up to the Drakes Cafe. From what I can see, you can’t get down onto the Drakes Trail that way. So you need to take the tunnel.

The wide path running straight, with a small trail going uphill to the left of it, on the Drakes Trail walk. The path are Bothe lined with lots of greenery. There is a trail signpost on the right path.

As I approached the entrance to the tunnel, it didn’t look too bad. I could see the light at the end, and some lights further along inside. Even for the first bit of walking through the tunnel there isn’t much to report, apart from the fact that it felt a bit like walking in a cave and was quite interesting.

However, as I get deeper, it got darker. There were lights ahead and that’s all I could see. It was so dark in my immediate vicinity, I had no peripheral vision. I couldn’t see the ground below me. It was a really strange feeling, being in that level of darkness. My footsteps echoed, and I was being dripped on from the ceiling. The further in I got, the further away the light at the end seemed to be.

I got my phone out for my torch. But it was useless in this level of dark. I picked up my pace to get out of here as quick as I could, but that light at the end seemed to be getting further away.

Once I was out the other side, I breathed a sigh of relief and was glad that I wasn’t planning to walk back this way. I don’t know that I ever want to walk in that tunnel again, even if someone else was with me.

Walk to Gem Bridge (the cool one)

After the tunnel, the trail resumes its normal state of more trees and bushes. A little further along the Drakes Trail, you will walk over a wooden bridge. For a moment there, I thought this must be the Gem Bridge. I was a little disappointed. I knew that the Gem Bridge was something special, and although this bridge was nice, it wasn’t that level of nice. I looked down below and saw some bluebells, so that’s something at least.

A path lined with a wooden fence, in the woodland.

Continuing on past the wooden bridge, I soon learnt that, that was not the Gem Bridge. I felt a little excited when the real Gem bridge presented itself ahead of me. I wasn’t on it yet, but it already looked a lot more impressive.

Looking across the tree tops on the walk along the Drakes Trail. There is a view to a tor of Dartmoor way on the distance.

It’s very high up, and as you walk along, you will be at tree top level, and way in the distance you can see some of the Tors of Dartmoor. This bridge cancelled out the creepy bridge.

Walk to the next bridge

I didn’t know there would be a next bridge. It wasn’t on the map. So it was a nice surprise to see it ahead, after some more tree lined trail walking after Gem Bridge.

The path with bushes and trees to the left and a wooden fence and trees to the right.

The path leading towards and under and archway bridge, surrounded by a mass of bushes and trees.

Looking along a wide bridge path with stones walls on both side. The path leads to woodland on the other side.

The walls of the bridge are a bit high, so not user friendly if you are short, however, the bridge people though if this, and have provided little steps you can stand on to see over the top.

Looking across the trees tops to the hills in the distance on the walk along the Drakes Trail.

Walk to Horrabridge

After the bridge it’s more walking through trees, this time you do get some occasional views through them. I saw a horse in a field and got excited. I didn’t yet know of the ponies galore to come.

Some way further along, you will reach a residential road. You should see a sign on the left for Horrabridge. If you want to go there, you will now turn left. To continue the walk along Drakes Trail to Yelverton, keep going straight up the road.

An information boards on a wooden fence, for Horrabridge.

A residential road with hoses on the left and trees and bushes on the right.

Walk to Yelverton – The final stretch of the walk along Drakes Trail

At the top of the road, at the junction, you should see the trail directly on the other side. Go over to it, and guess what? You will be walking surrounded by yet more trees. This is a very tree heavy walk. This little bit was quite car noisy, but it does ease up further along, before picking back up right at the end into Yelverton.

Looking across the road to the green with trees on the other side.

A path running through and under the woodland trees. The sunlight is shining through.

After a little bit of walking along this bit of path, you will make your way uphill. This is the hill I mentioned at the beginning. It took me by surprise a little. It was a different level of hill to the rest of the walk so far.

As you get towards the top, the trees will start to open up, and you will have some nice views.

A path lined with grass, bushes and a few bushy but short trees.

Looking down the grass hill to some short bushes trees and hills in the distance.

The sheep and the ponies

Right near the end, as I was nearing the Yelverton roundabout, is where I saw the animals. First some sheep on the trail. One of them was scratching its bum on a tree.

Then in the big field on the right, were all the ponies.

A sheep reaching up to eat the leaves of a tree, near the end of the walk along the Drakes Trail.

Two ponies in a field at the end of the walk along the Drakes Trail. One pony is grazing, the other is lying down.

After some pony pictures, I continued past the car park and towards a play ground. I wasn’t supposed to walk through the playground, but rather walk around it. Somehow I ended up in there, and had to go over a stile to get out on the other side. I rushed through this bit. All the children noises.

To reach the Yelverton roundabout, you need to go in a rough direction of straight. If in doubt, walk towards where the car noise sounds the loudest.

More walk ideas near the Drakes Trail

Yelverton to Sheepstor – This walk in Dartmoor, takes you to the Burrator Reservoir, and then up Sheepstor, before returning back down to the reservoir. It has good variety. Think woodland, river crossing, bluebells, hills, tors, views, reservoir etc.

Burrator Reservoir walk – This one fully circles the reservoir. I was very surprised by this walk, in a good way. It’s very easy, but also very beautiful, with an optional short hill with amazing views at the end.

Foggintor Quarry walk – One of my favourite places in Dartmoor. This walk is very easy and short, and takes you to the most gorgeous magical place. You can get a bus to the start of it from Tavistock.

Wistmans Wood walk – My other favourite place in Dartmoor. Also not that long, and also very magical. A bus will also get you here from Tavistock.

Princetown King’s Tor walk – A very easy route to follow, along the old railway line. This walk also includes Foggintor Quarry. So you get to see both in one go.

Ivybridge to Western Beacon walk – This walk involves a few hills, and is fully exposed so you get incredible far reaching views across Dartmoor National Park. Although there are hills, it’s a fairly easy walk, and very easy to navigate.

The Tamar Valley AONB is just around the corner, and you can read a little more about it in my Tamar Valley walks guide. For a quick look at my favourites, see below.

Calstock Riverside walk – This one is over in the Tamar Valley, and you can get between the two on the number 79 bus. It’s an easy walk, and features a really impressive viaduct and old mines.

Gunnislake and the Devon Great Consuls walk – Also in the Tamar valley, and also connected to the Drakes Trail by the number 79 bus. This is a bit more challenging (but not that challenging). It’s a fantastic walk, mostly through woodland, alongside the river, and to some really impressive old mines.

For more walk ideas in Dartmoor, you could check out the Visit Dartmoor website.

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