Forest bathing at Fingle Woods

Fingle Woods runs for about 10km along the Teign Valley on the edge of Dartmoor, owned jointly by the Woodland Trust and the National Trust. The native trees are sessile oak, beech, hazel, holly and alder, and the conifers planted in the last century are being cleared bit by bit so the ancient woodland can recover. People have used this valley for a very long time: Wooston Castle, an Iron Age hillfort, sits above the river, and the oak was coppiced for charcoal and fuel until the Second World War.

There are around 45km of trails and several car parks, including Clifford Bridge at the bottom of the valley and Sawmill Shed. Starting low by the river gives you water, wet woodland and shade straight away; the valley sides are steep, so allow for climbing if you head up towards the hillfort or Mardon Down. Expect natural, unsurfaced paths. Toilets are at the Sawmill Shed and Fingle Bridge car parks.