Harpford Woods All Terrain Route
A 2-3 mile circular route with some quite extreme terrain that I often run or walk with the dog(s). Boots or sturdy trainers with good grip are highly recommended, especially if muddy.
Please note that due to the tree cover your GPS accuracy may not be particularly good (especially 2, 4 and 6) - it took me a number of attempts to get them reasonably accurate. I have added a few photo hints for where they might be useful and where the hint might not be enough.
Keep an eye out for deer, buzzards, maybe an owl if you’re here early or late in the day, or if you’re really lucky a stoat taking on a rabbit as I saw up here once.
Caches may involve a little stretch, climb or scramble. You do this route at your own risk. Be sensible, have fun, and enjoy the gem that is Harpford Woods.
Cache placed with the kind permission of Clinton Devon Estates. "Clinton Devon Estates owns and manages 1,900 hectares of woodland in East and North Devon, comprising a rich mixture of both commercial conifers and native broadleaved species. Our woodlands are multi-purpose, providing environmental, recreational and landscape benefits as well as producing a sustainable supply of timber for the wood processing industry. In recent years Clinton Devon Estates’ commitment to forest management has resulted in a level of woodland cover almost twice the national average – an achievement that has won international acclaim from the Forest Stewardship Council. Clinton Devon Estates woodland produces FSC certified timber with conifers accounting for the greatest harvested volume. Timber from the Douglas fir, spruce and larch is sold to manufacturers, sawmills and wood processing industries in the local, regional, national and international markets. Woodchip from the Estates that used to be taken as far as Wales for processing is used to create biomass fuel locally – saving hundreds of road miles in carbon emissions. Our woodlands are managed carefully to achieve a rich diversity of tree species and age structure which, in turn, provides a wide range of habitats for many plants and animal species. In East Devon, 90% of our woodlands have public access routes, offering many recreational benefits."