A good 10 miles / Hard going in places

Please note: Parking in South Farm Lane is now not available due to ongoing works associated with the Lower Otter Restoration Project. More details here: http://www.lowerotterrestorationproject.co.uk/news.html

This was a wonderful walk and one of the only ones I have started early in the morning. It takes in the lovely river Otter and the hard going but mystical Passaford Lane that takes you up onto Mutters Moor near Peak Hill Sidmouth.

I did this walk in August last year when all the plant life was in full growth and this made pictures like the one on this post possible.

Park in Lime Kiln car park and take the footpath beside the river Otter up to South Farm Lane adding about 20 minutes to the walk. From here you can walk up alongside the Otter to the Mill at Otterton. Once you get to the bridge at the mill you will see a gate on the other side of the bridge, take this to continue alongside the river Otter.

The path here is not as friendly or easy as the Budliegh side and more challenging, a lot overgrown but it’s certainly passable. The first bridge you come to is closed so just continue and you will find a second.

Over this bridge you will find yourself in a field, go straight across and through the farm gate that takes you into the road. Turn left here and walk a short distance to the next farm, Passaford Farm which is on the right. Just after this and on the same side is Passaford Lane, unassuming at first. It’s an old smugglers lane I believe (History: Jack Rattenbury) and it’s hard going, you will need sturdy footwear.

Eventually you reach a stile at the top that takes you to Pinn Hill Plantation. Don’t go left but straight up, follow the path and then left and onto Mutters Moor via a large gate. From here you can walk down to Peak hill and take the coast path to Ladram Bay Otterton and back to Budliegh, if you do it’s around 10 miles. If you prefer a more direct route to Otterton that takes you away from the coast path the use Bars Lane, this is signposted on Peak Hill coast path shortly before Ladram Bay.

Ladram Bay has the Three Rocks cafe that is open to non residents as well. further down in Otterton there is also the Kings Arms and Otterton Mill, plenty of choice for food and drink. Once back in Otterton just follow the path along the river Otter to return to your car. On my walk in 2018 I took the Bars Lane option, please see below. GPX File Click Here