Devon Coast to Coast - Part 3 - Petrockstowe Station to Okehampton - with route instructions

At Petrockstowe you leave the Tarka Trail to start on the lanes and villages of Northern Devon. There are a number of hills in this section and you'll encounter the first on the way to Sheepwash, but the reward is your first view of Dartmoor to the south, which you'll pass on the journey south.
Sheepwash is derived from Schepewast and was first named in 1166. Its river was the perfect place to wash a sheep before shearing. It continued as a major market town until a fire in 1743. Today it has a very attractive village centre with a church and thatched buildings. Even better for cyclists is that the Methodist church (on the right as you exit) has a picnic area and toilets behind it and encourages cyclists to use it.
More hills before Highampton after which a cycle and horse path avoids the A3072. Hatherleigh has a busy Tuesday market and is a traditional market town. Like many routes, the coast to coast avoids the centre but it is worth having a look. Past the co-op on the left there is a tearoom and further up the hill is an open area with toilets close by and a small volunteer manned tourist information centre. If you do this taking the High Street will save a little extra climbing. You leave Hatherleigh climbing, passing thatched houses before the North Dartmoor Vista opens in front of you. To the left is a monument dedicated to a victim of the battle of Balaclava and the information board tells you about the tors you can see on the moor. A convenient picnic table by the junction is a great place for a snack with a view before a lovely descent with expansive views that then tunnels through the trees of a high hedged Devon lane.
You’re passing through agricultural land now as you pass through Jacobstowe and onwards towards Okehampton. Close to the town you bear left at Hook to take a steep descent and to your right you will see a decorated granite stone with the name of. There are a few similar ones along the route, origin unknown.
Okehampton is signaled by its industrial area but the infrastructure of this route takes you easily straight to the centre of town. Again it is worth exploring the town. For larger shops this will be your first chance for a while, so carry on into the town and head right at the traffic lights. There is a rural museum and cafe and an excellent castle on the edge of town.