TRUSHAM SHORT ROUND
Distance: 4.4 Km (2.75 miles) along country lanes, paths; one or two steepish sections. Can be muddy when wet.
Time: 75 minutes
The walk: Starting at The Cridford Inn, point ‘A’ on the map, turn left and walk up the lane for just over 100 metres, to point ‘B’. On your right there is a short track with footpaths off to the left and right. Take the path to the left and follow it uphill until it bears right, passing through a gate. Follow the path carefully downhill for about 700 metres, to a stile. Climb over and drop down to your right into the field. The right of way follows the bottom of the slope as it curves round to the left. Dogs should be on a lead as there is usually stock in the field. Ahead the route takes you to a footbridge over the Bramble Brook. Take the path until you reach a stile, at point ‘C’, near the Higher Ranscombe Bridge. Once over the stile, turn right and follow the lane.
The next road junction is taken to the right, past some charming cottages and then uphill into a narrow valley which broadens towards the top. After a right hand bend there is a T junction at which you turn right, point ‘D’. From here, the lane passes Combeshead Farm, on your right, going downhill and then rising with some farm buildings on your right. After this, the lane descends to the turn off to Ruggadon at point ‘E’. Turn off right here and follow the lane until it turns sharply right down to the farm. At this point, look left and take the footpath downhill; it is uneven in places and requires care. After just over 100 metres go through the small gate on your right, at point ’F’, into the Nature Reserve; the route follows the edge of the field down to another gate. Once through the gate bear right and then cross the small bridge to pick up a rising track into Trusham. When wet this can be muddy and requires concentration.
At the top, turn right and follow the main road back down to The Cridford Inn.
