Two Castles Trail - Stage 1 Westbound - Okehampton to Bridestowe - 7 miles Two Castles Trail - Stage 1 - Okehampton to Bridestowe - 7 miles This Stage climbs gradually from Okehampton past features including Okehampton Castle, Meldon Viaduct, and passes close to Meldon Reservoir. The Stage includes fields, grassy lanes and woodland tracks, and has stunning views from the edge of Dartmoor. The route has uneven surfaces, and can have muddy stretches after heavy rain. There is a steep climb away from the West Okement River below Meldon Viaduct, and there are some gates and footbridge with steps to negotiate. There are a number of stiles beyond Sourton in the field section, although these can be avoided using an alternative road along the Granite Way. WP1 When open start by passing through a gated courtyard by the Museum of Dartmoor Life and the Tourist Information Centre, following a path to the right hand side of the museum, through the car park onto Jacobs Pool, where you turn left. When closed, walk up George Street to the left of the White Hart Hotel. Dot Waypoints Dartmoor Museum.JPG WP2 Follow George Street and turn right into Castle Road. Dot Waypoints Oke signs.JPG WP3 Where the road bends right across the West Okement River, continue straight ahead on the path alongside the left bank of the river. Dot Waypoints P1010216(1).JPG WP4 Pass through a gate into Old Town Park Local Nature Reserve, bearing left to climb the middle path through the woods, keeping left at two path junctions. Dot Waypoints P1010026(2).JPG WP5 Turn right along a surfaced bridleway shared with traffic. Dot Waypoints P1010218(1).JPG WP6 On reaching the golf course, take the path ahead across the golf course, taking care as you proceed. After 200m, as the gravel track turns sharply to the right, continue straight ahead along the path. Dot Waypoints P1010220.JPG WP7 Leave the golf course at a metal gate, and follow the right edge of the field ahead. Dot Waypoints P1010222(1).JPG WP8 On reaching the far corner of the field, follow the 'path' signs through a metal gate and through a farmyard, to join a surfaced lane beyond the farm. Dot Waypoints P1010226(1).JPG WP9 When you reach the road turn left across the A30 road bridge. Dot Waypoints P1010228(1).JPG WP10 Take the path to the rear of the parking area on the right, beside the A30. At a junction where a path goes to your right under the A30, keep straight ahead on the path towards the river. Dot Waypoints P1010229(1).JPG WP11 Continue alongside the West Okement, cross the footbridge and climb the hill on the path bearing left. Dot Waypoints West Okement(1).JPG WP12 Pass a gate, turn right onto a track past Meldon Farm. Dot Waypoints Oke Viaduct distant(1).JPG WP13 Turn left when you reach a road. Pass under the railway bridge and continue ahead as the road soon becomes an unsurfaced green lane. Dot Waypoints P1010230(2).JPG WP14 Passing through a gate, the lane widens out, then reaches the open moor through another gate with Sourton Tors ahead. Dot Waypoints Sourton Tors(1).JPG WP15 Follow the stone wall on the left, then bear away past an old granite gate post. As you climb the hill, after 45m, look out for the route along a grassy path to the right, running parallel with an old stone wall for most of its length. Follow this path straight across a junction of routes until you reach a shallow cutting on your right between two stone walls. Dot Waypoints Path to Sourton Tors(1).JPG WP16 With Sourton Church ahead of you, take this path down between two parallel walls, leaving the moor and crossing the Granite Way on a track leading into the small village of Sourton. Dot Waypoints P1010231(2).JPG WP17 On reaching the road, follow the footpath alongside the road heading to your left. Dot Waypoints WP18 At the end of the village, 30m past the bus stop, cross the road carefully and take the path next to the tall house, between two stone barns. Follow the track round to the left and through a gate into a field. Follow the track with the hedge on your right through two fields to a small barn. Cross the stile and continue ahead with the hedge to your left for two more fields. Cross the stile, and head straight across the next two fields to another stile before continuing with the hedge on your left for another three fields to arrive at a lane. Dot Waypoints P1010232(1).JPG WP19 At this point, the West Devon Way and the Two Castles Trail diverge. The Two Castles Trail turns right at this lane. Follow the lane to the village of Bridestowe. Dot Waypoints P1010233(1).JPG WP20 This stage ends in the village of Bridestowe, or to carry on with the next stage of the Two Castles Trail, turn left and follow the road out of the village. Dot Waypoints Riverside Stores and Post Office(1).JPG