The Tamara Coast to Coast Way
A new walking route that links the south coast of Cornwall with the north is now open to walkers. Called the Tamara Coast to Coast Way, this 87 mile waymarked route follows the Tamar River from Plymouth, all the way to Morwenstow on the border between Cornwall and Devon, north of Bude.
Along the way it criss-crosses the river at several points, and there’s also the option of walking on the Cornish side or the Devon side for several of the stretches. The whole walk is divided into seven sections, each section walkable in a day (although Stage 5 is a long 17 miles!) and despite it passing through Cornwall and Devon, it’s not that hilly!
The countryside you pass through is ever changing and the path offers great views, across the wide estuary for the first three days, and then as the valley closes in ancient woodland and water-meadows are interspersed with Cornwall’s mining heritage. As you get further north you find yourself in rich farmland before picking up the route of the Bude Canal as it snakes towards the sea. The last stretch passes the source of the Tamar, where a new marker stone has been erected and for the last couple of miles you follow the Marsland Water to the deserted Marsland Mouth and beach.
Although at this point you have reached the sea, the path continues for another three miles, along the South West Coast Path to Morwenstow and its lonely church. It’s a tough walk with lots of ups and downs, but you are rewarded by stunning views of the Atlantic coast. You are also in one of Cornwall’s areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONB’s), the third one you have pasted through on route. You started in one and apart from the urban walk through Plymouth, the first four days are spent in one. You will also pass through landscapes designated with World Heritage Status due to its mining history.
And for those keen on walking, once you reach the north coast, you could continue along the South West Coast Path down to Land’s End and then head east up the south coast to your starting point at Cremyll, completing the Circuit of Cornwall, also known as Kylgh Kernow in Cornish.
Much of the route is accessible via public transport and some sections are suitable for those with disabilities.
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