logo Walking Britain
Home About Holidays FAQ Email MENU ☰

Gara Point & Stoke Point from Noss Mayo

Devon Walk

County/Area - Devon

Author - Paul Deane

Length - 7.0 miles / 11.4 km    Ascent - 1400 feet / 424 metres

Time - 4 hours 50 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL20Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL20Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 202Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 202Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Gara Point & Stoke Point from Noss Mayo
Click image to visit gallery of 5 images.

The area around Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers is fairly unique for the south coast as it seems to be off the beaten tourist track. The area can boast that it has no hotels, few guest houses and only one campsite! Parking is also very restricted. It's situated in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and by looking at some of the local scenery it's easy to see why.

From the car park in Coach Road (Grid ref. SX547474) walk NW then turn N along Hillhead. Cross straight over at the crossroads into Passage Road. Follow Passage Road as it bears left along the south bank of Newton Creek. On the North Bank you can see the picturesque village of Newton Ferrers.

Continue on Passage Road for 1/2 mile through Ferry Wood where you will join the South West Coat Path at the ferry (Grid ref. SX541478). The route now follows the South West Coast Path to Ferry Cottage where it leaves the tarmac road and branches off right through some houses, before entering Passage Wood. The track snakes around Battery Cottage and doubles back west into Brakehill Plantation before breaking into more open heathland. It's worth taking a break to look around here with lovely views of the Yealm estuary to your right.

The dramatic views continue as you round Gara Point and walk along the clifftops ESE for approximately 3 miles through the Warren (National Trust) before turning North at Stoke Point. The path enters a wooded area (Grid ref. SX562461) and skirts a caravan park before entering Centry Wood. Leave the South West Coast Path at the car park near Stoke House (Grid ref. SX562467) and climb Stoke Road to the crossroads where you will carry straight on NW along Stoke Road.

The large house visible on the left as you reach the crest of the hill is Rowden Court. Just before you reach Rowden Court, take the signposted footpath to the right (Grid ref. SX556471). The footpath heads NNW, trending downhill across farmland, until it reaches another area of woodland where it descends steeply. Take care at this point because small fallen twigs on the already steep footpath make for tricky footing. Turn left where the path emerges from between some houses and then left again, back on to Stoke Road (Grid ref. SX554479). Follow Stoke Road for 200m then fork right on to Pillory Hill. To return to the car park, turn left at the SW end of Pillory Hill on to Hillhead, then right on to Coach Road.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2012 Wembury Bay & St Peter's Church from Noss Mayoeasy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 2018 Saltram Park & Hardwick Wood, Plymoutheasy5.0 miles
Walk 2230 Exploring Plymouth easy6.5 miles
Walk 3657 Bigbury-on-Sea, Arymer Cove & Burgh Islandeasy/mod5.0 miles
Walk 1975 Erme Mouthmoderate9.0 miles
Walk 2013 The Plym Valley from Plym Bridgeeasy5.0 miles
Walk 3041 Thurlestone circulareasy4.0 miles
Walk 2461 Warren Point & Bolt Tail from Banthammoderate9.0 miles
Walk 3387 Upper Erme Valley & Ugborough Moormoderate9.3 miles
Walk 2015 The Meavy & Plym valleys from Shaugh Bridgemoderate6.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

The South West Coast Path

The South West Coast PathGuidebook to walking the entire South West Coast Path National Trail. The route runs for 630 miles from Minehead to Poole along the north Devon, Cornish, south Devon and Dorset coastline. Divided into 45 stages, this long-distance coastal trek could be completed within 4 weeks, or walked in sections. Guide includes maps and essential information.
More information

South West Coast Path Map Booklet - Minehead to St Ives

South West Coast Path Map Booklet - Minehead to St IvesMap of the northern section of the 630 mile (1014km) South West Coast Path National Trail. Covers the trail from Minehead to St Ives along the north Devon and Cornish coastline. This convenient and compact booklet of Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps shows the route, providing all of the mapping you need to walk the trail in either direction.
More information

Messaging & Social Media

Message Walking Britain and follow the latest news.

Facebook  Twitter

Mountain Weather

Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.