Explore An Extra Twenty Seven Miles Of Paths Through Fingle Woods In Dartmoor

Covering a surprising 825 acres (that’s about 460 football pitches), Fingle Woods, not too far from Moretonhampstead in East Devon, is now able to offer walkers twenty seven miles of newly reopened footpaths thanks to the sterling efforts of the combined forces of the National Trust and the Wood land Trust. It is ten years since these routes were last open.

Twenty Seven More Miles To Explore

The two Trust joined forces together in August 2013 to purchase and restore the woods which straddle the River Teign, with a promise that visitors would also be able to discover previously inaccessible areas of the site. As of this moment, the best part of £3 million has been donated to the Woodland Trust, with a further £2 million required to ensure long term restoration.

A highlight will be the ability to follow new trails throughout the woods which will lead them to long forgotten sights including an Iron Age hill fort at Wooston Castle and the Hidden Valley at Halls Cleave. Visitors will also provide the chance to encounter huge wood ant nests, watch for birds of prey including buzzards and sparrowhawks and spy on kingfishers and otters at the Weir Pool on the River Teign.

David Rickwood, the Woodland Trust site manager for Devon, said: 'We are over half way to our £5 million fundraising target which is fantastic after just eight months. This money will enable not only the purchase of the site but will also fund the long-term restoration of the areas of damaged ancient woodland on site.

'We will only be able to secure the long-term restoration of the woods if we reach our £5m fundraising target so every pound donated will make a real difference.'

It is estimated that about two-thirds of Fingle Woods is covered in damaged ancient woodland, planted with conifers, which the charities aim to restore by gradually thinning the conifers over many decades, allowing native woodland to regenerate, increasing the habitat for species such as pied flycatcher, redstart, wood warbler and fritillary butterflies.

Damaged ancient woodland makes up nearly half of the existing ancient woodland left in the UK, which is irreplaceable and covers just 2% of the landscape, restoration is the only way to protect its long-term future.

Adrian Colston, the National Trust general manager on Dartmoor, added: 'We’re excited that visitors exploring the new pathways will be able to experience new sights, sounds and landscapes at Fingle Woods.

'Our plans for 2014 are in an advanced state and we have been very lucky and survived the recent storms better than many, so there are plenty of trees and vistas for visitors to enjoy.'

                                                              National Trust
                                                             Woodland Trust