Plymbridge Woods fills the steep-sided valley of the River Plym between the edge of Plymouth and the open moor of Dartmoor, looked after by the National Trust along with the Upper Plym. The valley was an industrial corridor: the Cann Quarry Canal and quarry faces survive, and the old Great Western Railway line is now National Cycle Network route 27, a well-surfaced and nearly level ten-mile family cycle trail running south to Saltram and north towards the moor. In spring and early summer volunteers staff a peregrine viewing platform on Cann Viaduct, with telescopes trained on the falcons' nest ledge in the quarry cliff. Reviewers come for riverside walks of any length, the derelict buildings and old canal along the way, and the coffee van that usually parks by the free car park. Tips from regulars: there are no toilets, the trail is shared with cyclists so keep small children close, and expect plenty of dogs off the lead.
