Dart River Walk

1. From Galmpton Holiday Park walk in the direction of Dittisham following signs for YHA Maypool and National Trust Greenway. You will soon pass a very small lane on the right which you should ignore – staying on Greenway Road as it veers left.
2. Follow the road and you will soon cross a railway bridge over the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway track. The best place to  view trains is just past the bridge. There is a very good view of the track near to the next fork in the road. You will pass a small red post box on the right tucked into the hedge and very near to the fork where you should bear left following the signs for Maypool Youth Hostel. Stay on this road until you reach the Youth Hostel entrance.
3. At the end of the road you will see a large triangular sign bearing the initials “YHA”. On the left of the sign is the vehicular access road to the Youth Hostel.Collect your stamp! Follow the pedestrian lane on the right of the sign.
4. Carry on down the lane until you come to a gate marked “National Trust”. After passing through the gate you will be able to see breathtaking views away down the hill to your left towards the river Dart, Dartmouth and Kingswear. Stay on the path keeping the hedge grow on your right until you come to a bench beside a wooden gate. The sign post here indicates a path to “Greenway Gardens”. There is also a useful information board.
5. Go through the gate and walk up the short path until you reach the second gate just a few yards further on. Go through this gate - marked on the left by a small blue sign indicating “Dart Valley Trail”, and into the field.
6. Follow the path straight up the hill with the trees on your right. When you reach the brow of the hill – you should be able to see the River Dart following an inland course past Dittisham towards Totnes. This is a good place to stop and enjoy the panoramic view in both directions. As you continue along the side of the field with the hedges and trees still on your right, the hill starts to descend. *
7. Continue on down the hill following signs for “Greenway Gardens & Ferry”. Enter the field below via the metal stile. This part of the route is often slippery. There is a short wooden post indicating the continuation of the “Dart Valley Trail”. Go through the gate at the bottom of the hill and enter the National Trust car-park.
8. Follow the curved gravel path down the hill until you come to the white painted exit sign. On reaching the driveway turn to the right towards the gate house. Look above the door to see the crest and the date. This is the gatehouse for Greenway House, a National Trust property, famous for it's Agatha Christie connections. Look out for cars as you rejoin Greenway Road and turn right towards Galmpton. **
9. Follow the road along – enjoying glimpses of the river on your left. As you continue on this road you will come to a spot where there are two sign posts (one on each side of the road). The sign on the left says “Public foot path” – the post on the right bears two signs stating “Greenway and ferry via permissive path” and "Galmpton". Go through the pedestrian gate on the right and into the woods. Once inside the gates follow the path to the left taking care to avoid the nettles and brambles!  
10. Presently you will see a sign for ”Galmpton Village Walk”. Keep to this path which you may notice runs parallel to the road. Shortly you will pass a post bearing a black arrow. Keep straight ahead. You are now walking in the direction of Galmpton.
11. At the end of the woods, the path descends down a gentle slope to meet Greenway Road again. Go through the gate and turn right. You will be able to see a part of the railway track through the barrier opposite. ***
12. Stay on Greenway Road following signs for Galmpton. You will soon pass the small red letter box on the left as you follow the road back to Galmpton. Cast a quick look over your shoulder if you’d like one last look at the river! Continue to follow Greenway Road back to your starting point.

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