A Wilderness Picnic by the East Dart River

1 Leave the car park by the information centre on the right, and follow the path through the bank. It veers right towards the open moor through a broad, marshy area - an old drift lane, used originally for driving livestock up from the farmland to summer pasture on the moor. Many are still used at the annual pony drifts each autumn, but this one has been blocked by early 20th-century newtake walls. The lane ends at a gate by a line of beech trees and a granite wall. Go through and follow the track uphill to run alongside a wire fence/wall on the right. Just below, towards the river, is the site of Roundy Park, a Bronze Age enclosure with a restored kist (grave), dating from around 4,000 years ago. There are lovely views over the river to Hartland Tor.

2 The footpath crosses two brooks (Braddon Lake) on easy stepping stones, then runs uphill to a stile in the wall ahead. Cross the stile and follow the path along the course of a disused, overgrown leat on the left, which you can see running along the contours of the hill when you look back over the stile. The path turns north to run above the East Dart River as the valley becomes narrower, with glorious views downriver towards Bellever Forest.

3 A stile brings you closer to the river, and onto a level marshy area. At this point you really do feel as if you are in the heart of the wilderness. On the other side of the East Dart here, near where Winney's Down Brook joins, are the circular remains of a beehive hut. These were built by tinners as somewhere to hide their tools. Keep near to the river - you will soon find the leat again - and follow it as it bends round sharp left. At this point you will see deep pools of crystal-clear water, and a broad grassy area, just perfect for a picnic.

4 Walk on a little further upstream. The river rushes faster here, tumbling over rocks, and you meet a stile. You can go on further upstream if you wish, but the path becomes indistinct and difficult. Turn back at this point and take the path ahead (not by the river) that runs around the bottom of the hillslope right. This will bring you back to the next stile and the path home to Postbridge.