Situated on the eastern ridge of Dartmoor National Park this is a collection of three reservoirs, Kennick, Trenchford and Dartmoor’s oldest reservoir Tottiford which are just a short drive north of Bovey Tracy.

There is ample parking here which leads to a network of trails and paths winding in and out of farmland, woodland and of course looping these stunning reservoirs. Our preferred route when visiting sees us head down hill out of the car park with the first reservoir, Trenchford on our left hand side. As you follow the curviture of the reservoir to the left you’ll go through a small gate and on to a country road, this road is also part of Trenchford’s dam so as you keep the reservoir on your left hand side, to the right you’ll see the countryside slopping down hill. Continue a long this country road for about 600m until you reach a junction, here you turn left where the road now straddles two of the three reservoirs.

Here, you’ll have Trenchford still on your left opposite Tottiford reservoir on your right hand side which feeds down in Trenchford reservoir. After crossing the dam you’ll take a right turning and off the road and thruough a small gate onto a trail which loops around Tottiford, as you stroll along the waterside pathway with beautiful views of Dartmoor’s oldest reservoir which was opened in 1861 you’ll bend round to the left, continue following this path until you meet a small hut, just past here you’ll turn right still following the natural curvature of Tottiford and over a long narrow wooden bridge, beyond this bridge you’ll turn left and up hill away from Tottiford. As you reach the top of this hill you’ll meet another road and our third reservoir, Kennick.

Kennick is the highest of all three reservoirs and feeds down into Tottiford. Take a left turn on the road and cross the dam between Kennick and Tottiford beford taking a left turn off the road and back on to a trail. This trail now leads up hill into woodland as you zig zag up hill through the trees you’ll then head right where the path straightens up and feels more like a track with dense trees on your right hand side. As you climb the hill you’ll also find some old stone structures on your left before meeting and crossing a country road this path through more woodland heads down hill and continues to roll to the left until it meets the edge of our first reservoir, Trenchford. From here, keep Trenchford on your left side following the path which leads back to the car park and our starting point.

This walk can take up to 2 hours and as I mentioned, there is a network of paths and trails here and you can fully loop both Trenchford and Tottiford reservoir, so give yourself plenty of time and make your own trail.

Location: Trenchford, Lustleigh.
Car Park Postcode (Nearest): TQ13 9NS / Charges Apply: £2 = 4 Hours, £4 = Day.

This car park is on the edge of Trenchford reservoir. Heading north out of Bovey Tracey on the A382 you’ll take a right turning on to Bell Lane which climbs and bends steeply. When you come to a junction you’ll turn left following the brown sign opposite. Head along this single land country road until you see another brown sign and turning on your right hand side. The entrance to the car pack is on the right, just beyond the junction.

Journey:

I’m not going to add a step by step guide for this walk as there are so many trails you can take but I will include a map below which highlights the network of trails which you can explore.