POPULAR walking route the Two Moors Way was re-launched as part of its 40th anniversary in Simonsbath last Thursday.

The Two Moors Way was first established in 1976, linking the two national parks in the South West via a 102-mile walking route between Ivybridge, on the southern border of Dartmoor, and Lynmouth.

There is also an option to extend the route 15 miles to form a Devon coast-to-coast route.

A series of initiatives has been worked on to celebrate the 40th anniversary through a partnership between Dartmoor and Exmoor national parks, Devon County Council and others.

It included the re-establishment of the Two Moors Way Association to provide support and promotion of the route, numerous trial improvements, and the launch of a new pocket guide and Two Moors Way website.

Chairman of the new association John Howell said: “We were delighted when we heard about the possibility of a project to reinvigorate the route.

“The route was initially founded by the late Joe Turner, who died in 2004, and from its inception has been supported by the Ramblers.

“I’m really pleased that the association has been re-established, enabling us to provide a one-stop shop for those people interested in walking the route, in addition to supporting the public bodies to maintain the route and its promotion as public funding comes under ever-increasing pressures.”

The first phase of the project has seen investments of over £40,000.