This circular walk of approximately 6 miles starts by following the trackbed of the former railway from Tavistock to Bere Alston as far as the Shillamill Viaduct. It continues by using a little known aquaduct to go under the Tavistock canal and emerges after a short scramble on the tow path. This canal, the brain-child of mining engineer John Taylor (1779-1863) provided a natural highway linking the Tavistock valley to the port of Morwellham in the Tamar valley. It was used for the export of copper ore from the nearby Wheal Crowndale and Wheal Friendship mines and the import of coal, timber and iron for the mines together with limestone and other materials to support local agriculture. The canal returned a profit for more than 40 years until the railway arrived in Tavistock in 1859. The canals gentle flow of water, once used to power up to 35 waterwheels, is still used as a power source. The Morwellham hydroelectric powerstation, built in 1933, continues to generate renewable energy which is supplied to the national Grid.
After a short distance downstream the canal disappears underground but the trail continues over a bridge to a footpath which follows a disused arm of the canal until eventually rejoining the busy A390. Great care needs to be taken crossing this road and children and animals kept on a short leash.
Once across the road the route follows quiet lanes and footpaths back towards Tavistock and returns to your starting point via the cycletrack (R27).
The loop incorporates 6 caches placed by Brentorboxer on the disused Tavistock to Bere Alston railway and a further 17 ‘Crease Capers’ have been added to make 23 caches in total. Most are small and tweezers might be required, others have room for a geocoin. BYOP. Enjoy!