SHORT WALK OPTION: Make a left turn and steadily ascend uphill, relishing the magnificent downriver views towards the Tavy Bridge. This historic bridge, constructed in 1899, once carried the main line of the London and South Western Railway between Plymouth and London Waterloo and currently serves as the Tamar Valley branch line. Along this delightful lane, you’ll be greeted by a vibrant display of springtime flowers, including primroses, red campions, greater stitchworts, crabapples, dandelions, hedge mustards, herb roberts, bluebells, hedge bedstraws, navelworts, dog violets, honeysuckles, and dogroses.
Continue your journey downhill, passing a group of majestic Scots pines, until you reach the entrance to Blaxton Wood (Point 2), where you will rejoin the initial route.
FOR THE LONGER WALK: cross the lane and proceed along a rough ascending byway track, passing through an old iron gate and another gate shortly after. Follow the left hedge, ascending steeply, and admire the splendid oak trees along the way. Pass through yet another gate as you continue uphill, initially surrounded by gorse and blackthorn banks. To your right, enjoy the increasingly picturesque views across rolling pastures towards buildings on Plymouth’s northern edge.
As you reach the shoulder of the hill, the track levels slightly and passes through a gate before ascending again, but with a gentler incline, between hedgebanks. Finally, the track starts to descend, leading you towards the buildings at Pound in a pleasant stretch. Traverse between the farmhouse and farm buildings, and then proceed up the drive to meet a lane on a bend near Pound Cross. Cast your gaze to the left, and you may catch sight of Caradon Hill on Bodmin Moor, easily recognizable by the transmitter mast on its summit.
