Torrington Commons Figure of 8

Terrain difficulty: Easy-Moderate - 3 small climbs, 4 miles

Ease of navigation: Easy - well signed popular paths

Animal Dangers: Low - ideal walk for dog owners. 


Route

Park in the main Torrington car park off Castle Square. Leave the car park at the back down the steps at the end of the 1646 visitor centre. Turn left and follow the path along the edge of the escarpment, enjoying fine views over the valley. At a junction of paths carry straight on and follow the path down to the Waterloo monument, pictured to the left. From here continue round to the left down the hill as the tarmac path becomes a gravel path. Turn right down the steps onto the path called Lady's walk. At the bottom turn right and walk along the path with the river to your right. Follow this path until it meets the road and turn right heading uphill back towards Torrington.

As you walk along the raised pavement on the left hand side of the road look for a path between houses about half way up the hill. Take this path as it runs between the houses, past a stand alone garage onto the commons. Follow the footpath as it heads diagonally uphill to the left. At the top of this path follow it straight on to the top of the hill and the main road. Cross the road diagonally and head over to the old bowling green picnic area.

Take the path that leads away from the picnic area parallel with the road, heading downhill. When you reach the bottom of the hill just above the puffing billy turn right and follow the path further down the hill to a stream Cross the stream over the concrete footbridge and turn left. Follow this path out onto a more open patch of common land Follow the path past a pond on the left to the far corner of the field. Here turn right and head uphill into the woods. Follow this path to the top of the woods ignoring a path to the right. At the top follow the path around a right hand bend and continue uphill to a viewpoint . Here the path starts to cross a golf course, please take care walking across the golf course and give way to golfers. Follow the path as it runs parallel to one hole before crossing a fairway. Cross the fairway then take the right-hand fork at a junction of paths, following the main gravel track downhill to the stream. Here follow the course of the path as it begins to wind back uphill eventually coming back out by the toilet block of the picnic area.

Cross the main road heading back the way you came. Partway down the tarmac path turn left to follow the path along the back of a row of sheltered housing. Follow the path on to the road and continue on the road until you see an iron gate on the left to take you through a public garden. Come out the other end of the garden and follow the road back down to the shops and the car park.