Princeton to Leather Tor round, Devon

Setting out from the national park centre car park, turn left along Station Cottages and follow the road along to the west out of town. Take the waymarked path left and along - this will lead to a well made track path which follows the route of the old railway to Princetown.(A) Follow this along for the next 3km. You'll reach a crossroads at this point. (A)The Princetown Railway, the route of which this section of the walk follows, connected Princetown with a wharf on the River Plym near Plymouth to allow granite from quarries to be transported out of the town. The line was constructed initially in 1823, with horses pulling the cars on a distinct track gauge, but then upgraded in 1878 to standard gauge and to support locomotives. The line ran until 1956 when it was closed.

Turn left and follow a bridleway down into the valley. If you reach the Quarry or Kings Tor you've gone too far! Follow the well-made track down south, ignoring the bridleway which runs away to the left and hugging close to the wall. At the T junction with another track turn left and follow the curve of the path around to the southeast and then southwest as it crosses a small stream. Keep following this path for the next 2km as it curves around Ingra Tor. At the next junction go left and climb up to the road.

Cross the road and follow the path to the south, climbing up to Sharpitor. Once you've achieved the tor top turn south-east and walk to Leather Tor - there is no clear path here but as it's open access land you can choose the route which works best for you. Either climb the Tor or pass by it to the west, and then turn south-west to walk down the slope along the edge of Croft Plantation. You'll hit a road here - turn left, and follow either the path or track due East along Devonport Leat

Follow the path or track along the Leat and then cross it, following the main track north-east through the plantation. Various paths will run off it but continue to follow this for the next kilometre as it gentle climbs north-east. You'll cross Leather Tor bridge - stay right here where the path splits and continue walking east. The track will run east after this. At the next decision point stay right and then turn left to follow the bridleway due east onto the moor. (B) Burrator reservoir was constructed in the 1890s to provide drinking water for Plymouth, and then expanded in 1923. Prior to the reservoir being built the Devonport Leat, which runs to the north of this route, was built to provide drinking water to the dockyards at Plymouth Dock. The Leat no longer operates in this way and now feeds into Burrator reservoir.

After you enter the moor follow the bridleway east as it cuts across the open moorland, with fine views away to your right. Follow this along for the next 2 1/2km, the bridgeway will zig, crossing an old bridge, and then begin to climb - ignore the track splitting here and stay left. When you hit a crossroads turn left and walk north-west. Follow this bridleway for the next 3km until you descend into Princetown. Pass the pub, cross the road and turn left to return to the car park.