4th February 2010

Rollercoaster walk for ramblers 75th birthday

THE East Devon group of the Ramblers Association celebrated the 75th anniversary year of Britain’s leading walking charity with a ten-mile walk along the coastal path from Salcombe Hill.

Local couple Cliff and Pam Butlin, planned and led “Cliff’s Rollercoaster” walk, which included a beautiful and dramatic section of the South West Coast Path.

Starting at the Salcombe Hill National Trust car park, the group of 31 walkers made its way to Salcombe Hill Cliff; stopping for a commemorative photograph, before heading east along the coast path.

The first challenge of the route was soon encountered with the drop to Salcombe Mouth and the climb up to Higher Dunscombe Cliff.

A few hundred yards of relatively flat cliff top, taking in Lincombe and glorious coastal views both east and west, soon gave way to the dramatic plunge down to Weston Mouth, followed by a 500-feet climb back to the cliff top.

A welcome stop, after Berry Camp, for a picnic lunch in the sunshine proved a brief respite from the hills before Cliff was off again, leading onwards.

The route continued to Street and the Fountain Head, Hole House and up the valley to Edge Barton and Edge Farm.

The group now turned southwest to pass through the Donkey Sanctuary, Salcombe Regis and return to the car park.

All in all, an enjoyable day’s walking in almost spring-like weather.

PICTURE: The East Devon group of The Ramblers, celebrating the association’s 75th Anniversary in January