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Main Instructor:

Click to View: Bruce Perkins Instructor Page

Walk Description:

Meet at the FREE car park adjacent to the Puffing Billy Café, Great Torrington. Post code EX388JD We’ll kick start our senses (and our body) with a warm up in the shelter of the road bridge before setting off along the Tarka trail towards Bideford. 

After Approx 1 mile we leave the Tarka Trail and enter into a wooded area at the Roving Bridge crossover point of the old Rolle Canal. Whilst most of the canal is now heavily overgrown there are still signs and Stop Boards along the way to remind us of what it once was. A hand-built canal approximately 6 feet wide stretching some 7 miles linking Great Torrington to the river Torridge 3 miles above Bideford; taking 300 workers 2.5 years to construct (it was officially opened in February 1827 and closed in 1871) at a personal cost to John, Lord Rolle the equivalent to more than £3million at today’s costs!!

Having crossed the bridge we will follow the tree covered, uneven but distinctive well-trodden track  running up and down various contours until eventually we begin the climb to the view point (Rice Point) at the top of a steep incline.  The climb is well worth the effort as the views are breath-taking. Following a brief respite we will make our way down the other side of the hill Via the golf course until we pick up the Barmaids path to the main road. Having walked along the road for Approx. 200mtrs we once again enter the wooded area but follow a well mowed pathway (avoiding the newly planted young trees) that leads us up and down the hillside, crossing the common lake stream several times before finally climbing to the summit via a set of purpose built steps to the cemetery and eventually the Old bowling green car park. From here its all down hill to the Puffing Billy for a cool down followed by some well-earned refreshments.

Location Notes:

Start point for Learn2 & Rolle Canal walks