Plymbridge Woods Circular Walk
This 3mi/4.8km circular walk starts and ends in the National Trust Plymbridge Woods free car park (what3words: ///remit.jumps.cubes). There are so many different routes to take through this area, this walk takes you alongside the River Plym, through woodland, passing old railway viaducts and crossing bridges over the river. There’s usually a coffee van (Cafe Roma) parked up in the car park selling hot drinks, light snacks and ice cream. There are no toilets on this walk. Although this particular route is not fully wheelchair/pushchair accessible, there are flat, multi-use paths along an old railway line, that runs through the woods which are wheelchair/mobility scooter friendly. (Check National Trust website for more information) This walk is very dog friendly, with streams to splash in and woodland to explore.
Plym Bridge
The first half of the walk alongside the River Plym
Leaving the car park through the entrance, turn left and walk under a railway bridge then cross over the old stone bridge (Plym Bridge), turn right and walk down the lane with moss covered trees. When you see a sign with a map for the woods, take the path down some steps then over a boardwalk in the wooded area. We heard several robins singing in the trees here as we turned right after some steps, taking a track alongside the river. As we turned left and continued through the woodland trail with the river on our right, we saw our first fungi of the walk; cauliflower fungus at the base of a tree. As you pick up the main path again, keep an eye out for grey wagtails in the river, we saw one flying across the water as well as a heron flying very low through the trees. You’ll soon see a lovely spot on the right for accessing the river, popular with dogs and children, keep the main path as you continue along the stony track, listen out for goldcrests here, we also heard the sharp ‘kik! call of a great spotted woodpecker hiding somewhere in the trees.
Crossing over the bridge
Taking the steps down into the woods
When you arrive at an arrowed signpost, take the track straight ahead up the hill, passing a viaduct on your right. At the top of the hill by the old stone buildings, turn right, we heard a buzzard calling out, then saw three of them circling together in the sky. Arriving at the old railway line (which is now a shared path with cyclists) turn left and continue along this track, ignoring any paths on the left. We heard ravens and jays several times as we walked along this path, then looking out towards the trees in the distance, saw one of the ravens flying past. When you come to an old railway bridge, take the path to the right to then walk over the top of the bridge and along a path sheltered by trees. We did this walk after light rain showers, at this point the sun had come out and made this path look beautiful with raindrops glistening on the ferns. Keep an eye on the ground: under fallen leaves in this area we saw several dor beetles, (a type of dung beetle) that have metallic blue legs and sides of their body when the light catches them.
A great spot to paddle in
One of the old viaducts
At the top of the slope, pass through the wooden gate then up some steps into a wooded area, turning left at the second set of steps. Along this track we heard more goldcrests and blue tits as we continued ahead, eventually passing a bench on a bend. Soon you’ll be able to see distant views of Dartmoor through some trees on the left, this walk felt very autumnal with moss covered stone walls, leaves turning yellow and passing plenty of different varieties of fungi. There’s lots to spot along the way, a twisted old chestnut tree, rock walls of an old slate quarry and a pond in the grounds of the Wrigley’s chewing gum factory. Ignore a path on your left and continue ahead, we heard more jays here and a nuthatch as we soon passed over a wooden bridge and through a kissing gate. We then heard goldfinches as we crossed over the road and picked up the track opposite, passing through another kissing gate and entering back into Plymbridge Woods.
Lots of dry stone walls on this walk
Dappled light on the path in the woods
Keep to the main track as you pass through woodland, we heard the high pitched squeal of firecrests in the trees above as we passed a swamp on the right. When you get to the red arrowed sign post, turn left and walk all the way down the hill, ignoring a track half way on your right. There were plenty of long tailed tits in this area, continuously calling out in the trees as we walked alongside a stream on our left. When you arrive at the end of this track, turn left down the lane and through a kissing gate, crossing the road and taking the path signposted as Plymbridge Woods. You’ll then cross over a wooden bridge, there’s a lovely ‘beach’ here by the water, a great place for splashing in, in hot weather (or any weather if you’re a dog!) Keep left and following the trodden path through the grass until you’ll eventually arrive at a kissing gate by the old stone Plym Bridge we crossed at the beginning. Turn right and onto the road and you’ll soon be back at the car park on the right. I’ll be posting more autumnal woodland walks soon, so keep an eye on my social media pages for updates.
Beautiful moss covered rocks
A great ‘beach’ at the end of the walk