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Journey with a purpose down three iconic rivers, the Dart, Fowey and Camel, with like-minded people and by whatever means possible! Choose from a range of different activities on a daily basis including, walking, cycling, swimming (river, estuary, sea), SUP’ing, Canoeing, Kayaking and Coasteering. Travel in your own time and at your own pace. Relax in the evening in the best local pubs and around the firepit for a week of adventure that will live with you for a lifetime.
Rediscover nature away from the crowds and along linear (and downhill) routes to the Devon and Cornwall Coast. Full, active days with purpose but without the rush. Feel the accomplishment of completing the journey, but don’t feel obliged to do all of these activities, if you fancy an afternoon off to stroll along the beach or read your book in the sun – that’s just fine with us!
If you would like additional activities our guides will be only to happy to add in additional early morning swims or evening rides or walks along the coast. It’s your adventure, always!
Easy train journeys from London, Bristol or the Midlands, take you to the start of your trip in Devon, or you can drive and leave your car at the start of the adventure and we’ll transfer you back afterwards. Immerse yourself in wonderful Devon and Cornish countryside down the linear routes created by the rivers, from the high moors, and secluded valleys through to the wide estuaries and the sea with a wide range of activities to get you there! Relax in the evenings around the firepit and in some of the best pubs known to man! Just bring yourself, some active wear and a sense of adventure and we’ll cover everything else.
Led by our outstanding guides, and using all our equipment, we know every bend in the river, access point, every cafe stop, local pub and vineyard to suit all tastes! You’ll not need to worry about any of your luggage transfers, bookings or equipment as it will all have been taken care of for you and our support vehicle will always be on hand if you need a change of clothes or a rest!
Arriving Exeter St David’s, we’ll meet you at the station and take a quick transfer to the heart of Dartmoor. Get to know your group over lunch on Dartmoor before an afternoon walk from the start of the navigable Dart river from Postbridge. It’s all downhill, through beautiful valleys, over ancient bridges before finishing the day at Dartmeet, where the East Dart meets the West Dart. It’s perfect start to this adventure holiday – and you can pop in the water if you like! Accommodation is close by with a group dinner and the promise of many adventures ahead.
We walk further down the Dart, through the heavily wooded valleys, over small Tors (including Mel and A’ish Tor) and down to Newbridge where we swim / dip or just relax at the mythical Sharrah Pool and Spitchwick Common – take our word for it, these locations will take your breath away! Sharrah Pool is only accessible by foot – a beautiful 2 mile walk or run through the National Park to discover its location. This otherworldly spot, surrounded by woodland, is a gem of Dartmoor and an incredible swimming experience. After a picnic lunch we continue down the river, with a variety of distance options to Buckfastleigh and our accommodation for the evening.
From Buckfastleigh, we have a variety of modes of transport. For those who want an early start there’s a lovely flat walk (or run) down to Totnes, or you can catch the steam train that winds its way down the Dart Valley or bike down to Totnes. After lunch in Totnes we attack the tidal part of the Dart, by either Kayak, Canoe, SUP or by boat! It’s a wonderful tidal river that winds its way down towards Dartmouth. We exit the river at Dittisham and walk the final couple of miles into Dartmouth for a celebratory dip, having dared to descend the Dart! If you want your fix on the bike – guests often bike back from Dartmouth, if they can tear themselves away from the pub!
We transfer to Cornwall and our start of our second river, the Fowey. From Daphne Du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn on the A30 we follow the river Fowey in its infancy down for 7 straight miles of lovely downhill riding before some gentle hills (but generally all downhill) towards Lostwithiel at the start of the Fowey Estuary. After lunch in Lostwithiel, we again have a number options to travel down the famous Estuary and into the town of Fowey itself – you can travel by canoe / kayak / SUP or you can ride in the support vehicle and have a pint in Fowey whilst waiting for the rest of the group. With everyone back together we have a great swim at Ready Money Cove to celebrate taming river number two. We then transfer to Wadebridge on the Camel Estuary, where we stay for the final couple of nights.
Our final full day sees the group transfer the 20 minutes to the start of the Camel River, where we jump on our bikes and ride down the minor roads on the edge of Bodmin Moor before stopping for a coffee at Wenford Bridge at the start of the Camel Trail. We bike, all downhill, down the wonderful tree lined valley before it opens out at Wadebridge before the 6 mile (busier) ride into Padstow and a celebratory Rick Stein’s fish and chips. After lunch we transfer for a final dip in the sea at the wonderful Harlyn Bay – where there is the opportunity to swim / surf or coasteer. Our last night is in the wonderful Quarryman Inn where we celebrate a wonderful week and the conquering of three great rivers.
After breakfast we transfer back to Bodmin Parkway station to catch the train, or transfer back to Exeter to collect cars. Our guides will help you with all your ongoing travel arrangements and send you off with a glow from your week of adventure!
For full information about this tour and to find out all you need to know, download your copy of the detailed itinerary by clicking the button below.
Exeter St David’s Train Station, Exeter.
12.00pm
Glamping Pods or 3* Hotel
The best way to Exeter is by train, buy there the London Paddington line or from connecting trains in Bristol. We start our tours directly from the station, and transfer you to Dartmoor and the start of the River Dart. Guests can also drive to Exeter St David’s and use secure parking. At the end of the tour, guests can either catch the train from Bodmin Parkway or be transferred back to Exter St David’s.
Absolutely! We bring like-minded people together on these trips, to enjoy a group atmosphere, get stuck into some great activities, water sports, hikes and to share a well-deserved meal with at the end of each day.
Our tours are designed for those looking for an active weekends, mini-breaks and weeks away. All activities can be adapted but a ‘give it a go’ attitude goes a long way! Some of our water sports activities require a basic ability to swim 50-100 metres. If you would like to chat to one of our team about your particular trip, fitness and activity levels and what is involved in coming on one of our tours, please get in touch and we would be happy to help
We provide a kit list before your trip with us. The basics to bring is some swimwear, a wetsuit (if you use one for swimming) clothes you don’t mind getting wet or a bit muddy in, a towel, as well as some clothes and shoes suitable for walking and cycling in. By providing all the equipment needed for cycling, kayaking, coasteering and surfing we take the hassle out of your week away, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy your active Cornish week away.