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We were probably unlucky with the weather, having persistent rain every day except two. Fortunately there had been a long dry spell earlier so the ground wasn’t too muddy at all and I coped easily enough in good quality walking trainers instead of boots. The lack of waymarkers on Dartmoor was disconcerting but we managed OK on a very misty day thanks to our GPS – I wouldn’t want to do the walk without one. We had to use it again on Exmoor. The last afternoon, coming into Lynmouth, was hard. Just when you thought you’d have a nice easy stroll from Watersmeet along the river bank to finish, the Way took you up over another hill and it was all a slog without the compensation of any good views as the route was all in trees. That’s the moaning out of the way!
The walk was lovely with its variety of terrain and countryside. We saw plenty of ponies on both moors and the walking along shady riverbanks and in beech woods was exquisite. We saw bluebells every day and a great variety of birds, including a hobby on Dartmoor. The people we met were, without exception, friendly and welcoming especially the hosts/landlords of our overnight accommodation along the Way.
I have walked more than half of all our National Trails and can say with confidence this is one of the best. Richard Scott
