Tamar Valley Discovery Trail

This beautiful trail takes you through the Tamar Valley AONB from Tamerton Foliot in Devon to Launceston in Cornwall. You start by heading north towards the Lopwell area of natural beauty where you will cross the River Tavy.... You'll pass through the lovely Lopwell Dam Nature Reserve with habitats including mudflats, freshwater marsh, wildflower meadow, scrub-grassland, saltmarsh and semi-natural woodland.
The route then continues north towards Calstock joining the River Tamar for a splendid waterside stretch through Gunnislake and Luckett.
You then leave the river heading through Milton Abbot before crossing the river again at Dunterton and proceeding to the finish at Launceston.

Pubs and More Info
In Calstock you could head to the Tamar Inn for refreshments on the walk. The historic 17th century free house sits on the banks of the River Tamar. It was allegedly once a meeting place for smugglers and highwaymen. Built on a split level, it sits close by the waterfront in the village centre at a postcode of PL18 9QA.
Near Gunnislake there's the excellent Rising Sun Inn. The charming, oak beamed country pub dates back to the 17th century. They have some lovely terraced gardens where you can enjoy a meal with a view over the Valley. You can find them at postcode PL18 9BX for your sat navs. The inn is dog friendly if you have your canine friend with you.
The route is coincident with the Tamara Coast To Coast Way an 89 mile route running from south to north Cornwall. The trail starts at Cremyll and runs all the way to the coast at Morwenstow.
In Calstock consider taking a small detour from the route to visit the National Trust's Cotehele House. It's located just to the west of the quay and includes a fine Tudor House, formally planted terraces, the Valley Garden with medieval stewpond and dovecote, the Upper Garden and two orchards.
The Tamar Valley Line is a great way of seeing the area from a different perspective. The scenic railway takes you through rolling green, sleepy villages and beautiful river crossings. The highlight of the journey is when the train slowly creeps down over the impressive Calstock viaduct and you are 120 feet high looking down on the river below. 

Ordnance Survey Map OpenStreetMap OS Map (Mobile GPS) OpenStreetMap (Mobile GPS)

Interactive Map

Route Video

Nearby Routes

Lopwell Dam Cotehele House Launceston Tamara Coast To Coast Way

Photos

River Tamar from Calstock Viaduct. Former boat building and mineral railway quays line the north bank of the river. Modern greenhouses capitalise on the southerly aspect.

The Tamar Valley Discovery Trail, following a forestry track, in Greenscombe Wood near Calstock in Cornwall.

The Tamar Valley Discovery Trail, passing over a field near Bere Alston station in Devon.

Lopwell Dam. The purpose of this dam is less to hold a great deal of water behind it and more to stop salty tidal water coming up stream. This makes the river water available to be extracted for the public water supply.

Download GPX

Tamar Valley Discovery Trail.gpx