Bovey Tracey is a wonder place to start walking. From Bovey Tracey you can walk to the Parke Estate or Little Bradley Pools. Walk a little farther to Chudleigh Knighton Heath or take a Wild Walk through these Devon Wildlife Trust reserves. Follow the Templer Way up to Haytor, or down to Bovey Heathfield or Teigngrace Meadows on your way to Newton Abbot or Teignmouth. The Wray Valley Trail will take you to Moretonhamsptead along the path of the old railway. The Dartmoor Way walking route takes the high road to Moretonhampstead via North Bovey and the edge of the moors, or goes south to Ashburton via Yarner Woods.
https://www.hartstongue.co.uk/index.php/transport/2276-one-bus-from-exeter
Walks
Bovey Basin Wild Walk
Starts: 2 miles east of Bovey Tracey, Length: 4.5 miles, Highlights include: heather and heathland birds at DWT Bovey Heathfield nature reserve, dragonflies and peaceful ponds at DWT Little Bradley Ponds nature reserve, butterflies and heathland birds at DWT Chudleigh Knighton Heath nature reserve.
Dartmoor Way
The Dartmoor Way walking route is a waymarked 108-mile (173km) long circular route around Dartmoor. The route explores wooded valleys; sparkling streams that tumble off the moor; deep drove-roads and bridleways used for generations by farmers and travellers. The route can be enjoyed all year round from the freshness and colours of Spring, through the glories of high Summer and wonderful colours of Autumn, to the stark beauty of Winter. The High Moor Link crosses the moor from Tavistock through to Buckfast, enabling two smaller circles of either the Northern or Southern Moors to be completed. The route links up with the Two-Moors Way long-distance footpath offering a wide variety of route options. The Dartmoor Way offers many possibilities for a break away - from a day-trip or weekend to the whole route as a 10-day holiday.
https://www.dartmoorway.co.uk/ww/index.php
Templer Way
The Templer Way is a route for walkers linking Haytor on Dartmoor with the seaport of Teignmouth. It has a length of 18 miles/29km and covers a wide range of scenery from open moorland, woodland, meadow, historical tracks and urban land, through to estuary foreshore. Using a mixture of rights of way, permissive routes and minor roads, the Templer Way takes about 10 hours to walk. Tide times should be checked before setting out. The route may be tackled in short stretches or in one go and is waymarked in both directions, except on the open moorland at Haytor Down, where the granite rails of the tramway can be followed.
https://www.exploredevon.info/activities/walk/long-walks/templer-way/
Wray Valley Trail
This trail is a great way to explore the Wray Valley, following in the footsteps of the Victorians who built the Newton Abbot to Moretonhampstead railway in 1866. The 11km, mainly traffic free, route links Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead. It follows the line of the old railway, which was closed to passengers in 1959, taking you through the National Trust Parke Estate and past the picturesque villlage of Lustleigh. The trail has been several years in the making and has involved major works including 2 new bridges across the A382. Devon County Council has worked with local landowners and Dartmoor National Park to ensure the trail will benefit everyone.
Havens for Wildlife
DWT - Bovey Heathfield
Paths lead you through a heathland landscape of gorse and heather. A great place to spot secretive reptiles and nightjars. This is one of the best remaining examples of the heathland landscape which once dominated this part of Devon. Take any one of a number of paths to explore the reserve's heather and gorse covered landscape. As you go look out for basking reptiles - common lizards, adders and grass snakes all live here.
https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves/bovey-heathfield
DWT - Chudleigh Knighton Heath
A wonderful heathland haven with some very special wildlife. Chudleigh Knighton Heath is a heathland mosaic of gorse, heather and grassland. This was once the landscape which stretched for miles across what is known locally as the Bovey Basin. Today, the nature reserve is a reminder of what has been lost and also acts as a vital heathland home to some special wildlife.
https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves/chudleigh-knighton-heath
DWT - Little Bradley Ponds
This nature reserve is one of Devon's top places for dragonfly and damselfly watching. Bring binoculars for an up close view of these wonderful insects.
https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves/little-bradley-ponds
DWT - Teigngrace Meadow
A fascinating 'new' landscape created from the diggings of nearby clay quarries. Birds, butterflies and wildflowers jostle for room amongst its meadowland and steep-sided slopes.
https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves/teigngrace-meadow
NT - Parke
A peaceful retreat set within the beautiful Devon countryside. There's something for everyone at Parke, found on the outskirts of the small market town of Bovey Tracey, gateway to mystical Dartmoor. You can walk from the town (about one mile) or stop off as you drive to the open moor, where the next stop is the rugged crag of Haytor. This compact estate was once the home of a wealthy local family and probably enabled them to be self-sufficient for all their day-to-day needs with a vegetable garden, fruit garden and orchard, cold house, fish pond, grazing meadows for livestock and beehives for honey, and gardens to wander in for spiritual refreshment. So, take a short stroll around the garden, or a longer more strenuous walk through the woodlands and along the river to the medieval weir. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for a myriad of wildlife and a host of wild flowers.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/parke
Stover Country Park
Stover Country Park contains over 114 acres of woodland, heathland, grassland, lake and marsh and a substantial variety of wildlife. It is a site of special scientific interest meaning it is protected by law to conserve its wildlife and geology. The Park features a Nature Interpretation Centre which is situated near the entrance of the park and consists of a visitor centre, classroom, rangers’ office and public toilets. Additional recreation resources include interpretation boards, aerial walkway, a bird hide, a car park and picnic areas. There is also a wealth of historical interest.
https://www.devon.gov.uk/stovercountrypark/
East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths NNR
East Dartmoor consists of 3 joined but distinct areas: Yarner Wood, Trendlebere Down and the Bovey Valley Woodlands. Together they provide an excellent example of internationally important western oakwood with its associated bird and lower plant communities. Main habitats: woodland, open heathland, bogs, former meadows and streams.
River Teign
Westcountry Rivers Trust Originating on Dartmoor and entering the sea at Teignmouth, the River Teign boasts hugely diverse habitats that attract a large variety of birds and wildlife. The Teign actually has two sources and these streams (the North and South Teign) descend the eastern slopes of the moor high above the village of Chagford. From Chagford the River winds its way through the often wooded foothills of Dartmoor for nearly ten miles until below Dunsford it heads south, following the road to Chudleigh, Newton Abbot and ultimately into the estuary and the sea at Teignmouth.
https://wrt.org.uk/project/river-teign/
DCA - Bovey Basin
The Bovey Basin is a relatively small area, characterised by predominantly flat, broad alluvial floodplain enclosed by encircling hills and, importantly, by the influence of ball clay extraction activities. The quarrying activity has resulted in large areas of despoiled land including open cast quarries, spoil heaps (creating regular-shaped hills), settling lakes, and large modern industrial buildings. These features, along with road infrastructure and development, have altered the river basin character, giving rise to a fragmented and disturbed ambience in places. Nevertheless, there are remnant areas of irregular, mainly pastoral fields with hedgerows, woodlands and some important areas of acid heath, e.g. Bovey Heath and Chudleigh Knighton Heath, reflecting the presence of underlying sand and gravel. The tree-lined Rivers Bovey and Teign also provide a more naturalistic character amongst an otherwise complex, settled landscape; and the designed parkland of Stover Estate lends a sense of continuity within an area which has undergone considerable change. This is generally an inward-looking landscape due to the basin landform and the presence of notable areas of mixed and coniferous woodland, which provide a sense of enclosure.
https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/teignbridge-and-east-devon-area/bovey-basin
Dartmoor National Park
Dartmoor National Park Authority was created by the Environment Act 1995 to: conserve and enhance Dartmoor National Park’s natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage, and to promote opportunities for the public to understand and enjoy the special qualities of Dartmoor National Park.
Buses
Exeter - Bovey Tracey - Newton Abbot
Daily, hourly Live Map - bustimes.org
Bus Stops: Newton Abbot Sherborne Road (Stop B) - Heathfield Drumbridges Roundabout (SW-bound) - Heathfield Cavalier Road (NE-bound) - Bovey Tracey Riverside Surgery (SE-bound) - Bovey Tracey Lloyds Pharmacy (Stop A) - Bovey Tracey Lloyds Pharmacy (Stop A) - Chudleigh Knighton, opp Village Hall - Chudleigh, adj Memorial - Marsh Barton Matford P&R (S-bound) - Wonford R D & E Hospital (N-bound) - Exeter Bus Station
https://bustimes.org/services/39-exeter-bovey-tracey-newton-abbot
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables
Newton Abbot – Okehampton via Moretonhampstead & Chagford
Monday to Saturday. Two buses from Newton Abbot to Moretonhampstead, one continuing to Okehampton
Bus Stops: Newton Abbot Sherborne Road (Stop B) - Liverton Benedicts Road (N-bound) - Coldeast Cummings Cross (N-bound) - Bovey Tracey Dolphin Square (N-bound) - Bovey Tracey Lloyds Pharmacy (Stop A) - Lustleigh Turn (SW-bound) - Lustleigh Bishops Stone (S-bound) - Lustleigh, opp Eastwrey Barton Hotel - Moretonhampstead Square (Stop D) - Moretonhampstead Court Street Car Park (Stop A) - Chagford Easton Cross (NW-bound) - Chagford The Square (SE-bound) - Chagford Easton Cross (S-bound) - Chagford Sandypark Inn (NW-bound) - Whiddon Down Post Inn (W-bound) - S Zeal Oxenham Arms (NW-bound) - S Tawton Church (W-bound) - S Zeal The Croft (S-bound) - Sticklepath, opp Devonshire Inn - Okehampton Giblands Park (NW-bound) - Okehampton Hunters Gate (S-bound) - Okehampton Fore Street Arcade (Stop C) - Okehampton Market Street (Stop E)
http://countrybusdevon.co.uk/178-newton-abbot-okehampton-via-moretonhampstead-chagford/
https://bustimes.org/services/178-okehampton-moretonhampstead-newton-abbot
Exeter - Plymouth
Daily 6 buses from Exeter to South Brent, 5 continue to Ivybridge, 4 continue to Plymouth Live Map - bustimes.org
Bus Stops: Exeter Bus Station (Stand) - Wonford R D & E Hospital (S-bound) - Countess Wear WESC Foundation (SE-bound) - Heathfield Drumbridges Roundabout (SW-bound) - Liverton, opp Benedict's Garage - Bickington Lemonford Caravan Park (W-bound) - Ashburton Bull Ring (Stop A) - Buckfastleigh Station Approach (Stop A) - S Brent, opp London Inn Mews - Bittaford, opp Horse and Groom - Ivybridge BP Garage (Stop B) - Laira Flyover (SW-bound) - Plymouth Royal Parade (Stop A8)
https://bustimes.org/services/x38-exeter-bus-station-buckfastleigh-station-appro
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables
BusTimes.org
the unofficial home of bus, coach and ferry transport information. This interactive map shows bus stops and live bus positions with links to routes and time tables.
https://bustimes.org/map#15/50.58/-3.652