Taw and East Okement Loop with a Wild Swim. 13km, rating 3


Details
Rating 3 moderate
Our walk begins at Belstone Village and drops quickly down into the wooded Taw valley where we’ll walk beside the river for around 2km to until we reach Sticklepath. From there we climb steeply but briefly up to open farmland and make our way via patchwork fields and small lanes to meet the East Okement. Here we’ll join the Tarka trail which accompanies the river past pretty pools through Halstock wood where we’ll linger a while for some lunch.
We then climb steadily to reach our highest point at 380m ish, at Halstock hill before dropping again to the footbridge at Culliver steps. A few meters from the bridge is a stunning plunge pool, perfect for a swim if the weather is kind or even if its not. After this its downhill all the way to the Tors Inn at Belstone for a well earned bevy. The pub is just a few hundred yards from the car park where we first began.
Advisory note:
This is a not for profit group intended as a social event for people who share an interest in the natural world. You are responsible for your own safety and welfare so please come appropriately dressed for a long rural walk taking account of the prevailing weather conditions. Should you participate in any foraging events, it is your own responsibility to identify to your own satisfaction anything you plan to eat. Some walks may involve an additional degree of physical challenge. If so, this will be clearly stated in the description. If you then choose to participate in these activities you do so at your risk.
There is a small fee of £2 for each walk to cover costs of the meetup page which is currently £310 per year and also to cover some minor expenses incurred when reconnoitering walks, mostly fuel and a pint.

Taw and East Okement Loop with a Wild Swim. 13km, rating 3