Local Walks
There are lots of walks that visiting yachtsmen can do starting from the harbour area. A few of them are described below but a copy of the OS Explorer map OL20 or if you prefer the Landranger series 201 and 202 cover the area. These will show more detail and give inquisitive yachtsmen many more opportunities to explore.
Yealm Steps to Newton Ferrers (Circular route). Distance 2.5Km, time approximately 40 minutes.
Not a direct route to the shops and pubs but one that offers more varied views of the Pool and Newton Creek.
Land at Yealm Steps. Turn left at the top of the steps and walk along to the bus turning bay. Follow the footpath up to the right passing behind the old Yealm Hotel, turn right at its junction with Lower Court Rd. Continue climbing, turn right into Court Rd. and follow it down to the church of Holy Cross (1Km) which is well worth stopping at and exploring. Leave the churchyard on the lower side turn right into Yealm Rd. Follow the road around to the right to the top of Newton Hill, which is where the shops can be found. Co-op at the top, halfway down is the Post Office and Butcher and at the bottom is the Pharmacy and the Dolphin Inn. The Yealm Yacht Club is a bit further along Riverside Rd East. You can also visit Noss Mayo via the Voss (causeway) if time and tide allow. Return to Yealm Steps by following Riverside Rd West to Kiln Quay and then the footpath which brings you onto Yealm Rd where you turn left and follow the road downhill to the Yealm Steps.
Yealm Steps to Shallowford (Shortaflete) Creek. Distance 3.3Km. Time 1 hour.
Birds, flowers and trees. A pleasant afternoon/early evening stroll through woodland offering views of the Kitley Reach. Turn left at the top of the Yealm Steps. And follow the road and private track for approximately 500m before entering Newton Woods. The path leads to Shallowford creek. At the head of the creek continue to walk up the valley and return to the entrance of Newton Woods along the high-level path with a zigzag descent. Retrace your steps to Yealm Steps.
The Headland walk. Distance 7Km. Time 2 hours.
A circular route with magnificent views across Wembury Bay and the entrance to the Yealm.
Land at Kilpatrick steps or Wide Slip, adjacent to the visitor’s pontoon in the Pool. Turn right at the top and take the lower path past Ferry Cottage (note the toll board) before following the path through Passage Wood. The path climbs and joins a track where you turn right. Continue to climb and pass Battery Cottage and then around Cellar Bay at high level. Continue past the Coastguard cottages and through Brakehill Plantation (bluebells and rhododendron) to Mouthstone Point. Carry on around the headland past Gara Point and then on to Warren Cottage. After a further 600m keep left up the track to the National Trust car park. At the road turn left and then after 50m turn right to descend through Hannaford and on to Noss Mayo. Return to Wide Slip or Kilpatrick steps via the National Trust path through Fordhill Plantation and Ferry Wood as an alternative to the road.
Warren Point to Wembury. Distance 5.6Km. Time 1hr 30 minutes.
Excellent views of the Pool, the mouth of the river and Wembury Bay. An opportunity to visit Wembury which also offers local amenities.
Land at Warren Point. Keep left at the top of the steps and follow the path to Rocket House. Through the gate following the sign to Knighton Hill. Would you know that river is just below you? 100m after Thorn Cottage it is decision time. At the sign post you can either take footpath 25 to Knighton for the village shops and pub, or footpath 28 to church and beach via tracks and fields. Re-join the coastal footpath at St Werburgh’s church. Descend to the beach and Old Mill Café (National Trust). Then return along the coastal footpath to the mouth of the river. At Rocket House follow the sign “View of River Yealm” and the best is saved to last! Finally descend the zigzag path to the steps at Warren Point.
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