🥾 Walking route
A walk to the Hydro Turbine at Castle Drogo, Castle Drogo
Devon
- 📏 2.5 km · 1.6 mi
- ⛰ +310 m
- ⏱ 1 hr
- 🐕 On lead
Walk stats
- Distance2.5 km · 1.6 mi
- Elevation+310 m
- Duration1 hr
- DifficultyModerate
- Route typeCircular
- TerrainWoodland paths and steep riverside tracks with a sharp climb
- Best seasonSpring to autumn
- DogsDogs welcome on leads
About this walk
This 2.5 km circular route sets off from Moretonhampstead and drops down towards the wooded valley of the River Teign. The path leads to Drogo Weir, where the estate's hydro turbine harnesses the river to generate electricity, before the trail begins its steady climb up through the trees.
From the valley floor the route rises sharply, with 310 m of ascent packed into a short distance, passing Hunters Tor as it gains height. The reward is a fine view over the Teign gorge, with Sharp Tor and Piddledown Common visible across the valley. The path then emerges close to Castle Drogo itself, the striking granite house perched high above the river.
The Café at Castle Drogo makes a natural place to pause before the return leg back down to Moretonhampstead. Despite covering only 1.6 miles, the gradient makes this a moderate outing, and the hour on the clock is well earned by the climb.
Route map
Route line drawn from OpenStreetMap footpath data. Numbered markers are waypoints on the route; amber star markers are points of interest a short detour away.
Waypoints along the route
5 waypoints along the way
- 1
Moretonhampstead (start and finish)
- Start / finish
Start and finish of this circular route.
- 2
Drogo Weir
- 3
Hunters Tor
- 4
Castle Drogo
- 5
The Café at Castle Drogo
Worth a short detour
Points of interest just off the route, look for the amber markers on the map.
Sharp Tor
~289 m off the route
Piddledown Common
~244 m off the route
Route & waypoint data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).