Discover the
Dartmoor Story

Forged by nature, shaped by time and human spirit

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.

Using the trail

From Moretonhampstead, the best place to start the trail is from Court Street Car Park in town (TQ13 8LG). Follow the road from the car park into town and turn right down Pound Street and then  left (signposted) into Pound Lane. The off road section of the trail is on the left a few hundred metres down the hill.

From Bovey Tracey the best place to start the trail is at Station Road Car Park (TQ13 9SB) on the main route into Bovey. From the car park cross over the road into Mill Marsh Park, following the path and keeping the river to your right, go under the road bridge into Parke and follow the old railway line on your right.

Please note that there is a one mile section between Bovey and Lustleigh which is on Lower Knowle Road, before rejoining the trail at Brookfield in Lustleigh. Please take extra care on this section as the road is narrow and steep in sections.

This is a shared trail and is open to walkers, cyclists and horeseriders. Please be considerate and friendly to everyone along the trail.

Download the trail map

Download the Exploring the Wray Valley Trail leaflet

Discover more

Tales from the Rails Audio Trail

Discover how life changed for people with the coming of the railway.

Get the audio trail

In the footsteps of the Victorians

Read more about the impact the Victorians made on Dartmoor.

Learn about Victorian Dartmoor

Visit the Bovey Tracey Heritage Centre, based in the Old Railway Station, St John's lane, TQ13 9GP.

Visit the Lustleigh Community Archive, The Old Vestry, Lustleigh and purchase the book "In the footsteps of the Victorians".

Visit Explore Devon for more information about walking and cycling across Devon.

The Dartmoor Story Forged by nature; shaped by time and human hands.