Dartmoor walks

A circular walk, some on roads, crossing Hangar Down.

Varied walk including ancient forest, a Quarry lake and open moorland. Fabulous views across to Plymouth Sound.

A Dartmoor walk that includes the most north-easterly summit in the National Park which offers some fine views especially to the north. The route needs careful navigation at the start and in poor weather you need a good sense of direction and compass skills.

Circular walk from Cornwood, some on roads, skirting the Western edge of Hangar Down.

A wonderful circular walk from Clifford Bridge to Fingle Bridge on a gentle path along the River Teign before heading steeply onto Butterdon Down and descending back to Clifford Bridge. Beautiful woodland views.

A beautiful walk past granite Devon longhouses and open moorland on the edge of Dartmoor. It's recommended to do this walk clockwise as the last footpath is difficult to find going in the other direction.

A circular walk with beautiful views over Dartmoor Tavy Cleave.

A demanding Dartmoor walk that requires careful navigation and preferably good weather. The route uses a section of the Tarka Trail, visits some ancient monuments and visits the summits of a number of granite tors.

This Dartmoor route uses a section of the Two Moors Way. The route follows paths and tracks although a good sense of direction is needed in what can be an unforgiving landscape. After wet weather, streams may be in spate so care is needed crossing them.

Mixed road and moorland walk taking in beautiful ancient oak woodland and high moorland views.

The wild open speces of Dartmoor can be appreciated on this walk. The route takes you past a number of rocky tors, visits an area used for peat cutting and follows a section of the Rattlestone Peat Railway. All in all a walk full of interest.

Amazing views over the China clay works, mica pits, and views across to Plymouth sound in one direction and moorland in the other.

A circular walk using a part of Dartmoor waymarked path across stunning moors, along streams and passing King's Tor for a nice overlook.

Includes a fording of the Dart river as long as it's not in spate!

The Stone Rows at Merrivale are perhaps one of the most visited on the moor, primarily due to easy access, and being so close to a road. This route takes in many relics of the moors' industrial past, from the water supply, quarrying on the moors, and the railway.

This is a short route that leads onto moors, up to Sharpitor (A), and then onto Leather Tor, two rocky tors, with views overlooking the Burrator Reservoir. Around this area the moorland ponies tend to gather, as nice as they be, it is best to NOT pay them attention, as they can bite, as they have learned, hanging around near the road, they may get fed. What is not considered is getting hit by a car.

This is a linear, there-and-back, well-defined route leading out onto the moors south of Princetown, and is an ideal route to sample the remoteness and beauty Dartmoor has to offer. The Yellow Brick Road is a local nickname for what was once known as Ivybridge Lane, a proposed route linking Princetown and Ivybridge due south. So why call it Yellow Brick? It was simply because, during a period of renovation and moorland management, the authorities used a hardcore dressing coloured yellow. As a there-and-back route, with the option to return at any point. Once on the open moor, past (1), a moorland lane runs virtually parallel to the route, reassuring the first-time moorland walker, with vehicular access and assistance if needed.

Yelverton is a junction for many moorland trails; this route follows some of the West Devon Way and the Drake's Trail. Following a section of the disused railway and an old mining track. A circular route with a convenient 'watering hole' at the halfway point. This route can also be completed by bicycle; it also has the potential to extend along the Plym Valley Trail to Plymouth and beyond.

Dizzlecombe Menhir, the tallest standing stone on Dartmoor, stands within the Giant's Basin, which also has Bronze Age Stone Row, with Cairns, Hut Circles, and Settlements. The route will then meet up with an old miner's track, which leads back to the start.

This route starts at Bennett's Cross, a moorland cross marking a boundary, then circles an area on Dartmoor, where over many centuries, Tin was mined. Leading onto the Two Moors Way and Grimspound, a well-preserved Bronze Age Settlement, it is thought that the occupants mined in the area. The route then leads through the heart of the mined area, with Headland Warren, another area on the moors where rabbits were farmed. To finish back at the cross, which is near the highest Inn in Southern England, where the fire in the hearth has reputedly stayed lit since the 1800s.

In the year 1240, King Henry III summoned twelve Devonshire knights to mount their steeds and ride around Dartmoor's Forest Bounds, as then stated. The historical journey was undertaken on the 24th July 1240, the reason was to check for possible encroachment of the commoners upon the Royal hunting ground.(Dartmoor was not covered in trees; 'Forest' refers to a Royal Hunting ground)The Dartmoor Perambulation, of beating the bounds, is an ancient right for landowners. This route is completed, following the Visorando App, but may need local variations due to weather conditions and access. Read the Notes of every stage for more guidance.

Shavercombe Falls is a small but pretty waterfall at the head of a valley. This route up the River Plym passes many remnants from the past, often overlooked due to a lack of awareness, from the unusual landscape along the way to unusual place names.

The moorland hamlet of Postbridge in itself is always worth a visit, with it's 12th century clapper bridge, believed to have been built by the tinners. Venturing up to see the East Dart waterfall makes the visit to the area worthwhile. The route follows the river upstream to the waterfall, and if conditions are suitable, crosses the river and returns, passing some Bronze Age Settlements. During adverse weather, and if the river is in spate (flood), see Notes.

This route leads out over open moorland, climbing to a high point with far-reaching views over south Devon. Not far from where the River Yealm rises, it tumbles over a series of moorland rocks forming steps down the valley, and although still a young river, the water cascades over the rocks. During heavy rain, the runoff from the surrounding moorland awakens the stream to an impressive waterfall. The route back passes many Stone Age Settlements, Stone Row (optional), and the 'moonscape' of the now disused China Clay Works.

Dartmoor, as many rivers rise high up on the moors, they cascade down through the moors and valleys. There are not many waterfalls on Dartmoor that can be accessed so easily, but this route offers a short, easy access route to a popular waterfall on the River Meavy, and it also has the added attraction of a nearby Bronze Age Stone Row and Cairn.

This is the second stage of the Dartmoor Perambulation. This route follows the eastern section of the original route; key checkpoints are used. This section of the route offers various terrains, from country lanes to some reasonable hills to climb. This route is completed, following the Visorando App, but may need local variations due to weather conditions and access. Read the Notes for more guidance

This is the third and last stage of the Dartmoor Perambulation. This route follows the western section of the original route; key checkpoints are used. This route is completed, following the Visorando App, but may need local variations due to weather conditions and access. Read the Notes for more guidance

This is the first stage of the Dartmoor Perambulation. This route follows the southern section of the original route; key checkpoints are used. This section is perhaps the most forgiving, with the other two sections offering different terrain and challenges This route is completed, following the Visorando App, but may need local variations due to weather conditions and access. Read the Notes for more guidance

This route follows the river upstream towards the Avon Dam, before skirting around the reservoir and then follows a section of the Abbot's Way, a long-distance walk across Dartmoor. Continuing around the back of the reservoir, around Huntington Warren, and the clapper bridge. Leaving the river and up to the Red Lake, disused China Clay Works, and the Tip. The route back then follows an old disused tram track, across Brent Moor, passing the Water Treatment Works, back to the start. Walk without a full turn-by-turn description, to be followed using the Visorando app - see Notes

A walk into open moorland, passing Crow Tor to see Devil's Tor and the Beardown Man. Heading south, passing Lydford Tor, Beardown Tors, and then descending Beardown Hill and through woodland and farm, to the Cowsic River, following it down to the start.

Norsworthy Bridge at the end of Burrator Reservoir has many moorland walks leading off. This walk leads up to Down Tor, and then walking on to the Down Tor Cairns, Stone Row, Stone Age Enclosure, and the Menhir, before leading to Combshead Tor and Cuckoo Rock. The trail then leads down to a forestry track, which leads back to the start.

A walk up to Down Tor, with views over Burraton Reservoir, following a well-used trail up to the tor, and to be rewarded with the view, especially as the sun sets, reflecting off the water. Although this walk leads up to the top of the tor, there are opportunities to go off route to head north, down the hill to the river, and then follow that downstream to the start.

This is a walk up and along the river Plym, leading to Ditsworthy Warren House. A remote, now disused farm. The house was used during the filming of War Horse, a film directed by Steven Spielberg. Around the area, there is still evidence of old mine workings and Rabbit Warrens. Then walking across Ringmoor Down, across old field systems, and then onto Brisworthy Plantation, before meeting the country lanes back to the start.

This circular walk leads up through the valley of Tavy Cleave, where the river Tavy cascades down, and the Cleave towers above. Following the Wheal Jewel Leat, before making a path over and around the boulders along the riverbank. At Dead Lake, the route makes its way up and along the top of the Cleave, with impressive Tors, and spectacular views down the valley.

The River Dart, both the East and West Dart, rise high on Dartmoor, flowing down off the moors, to meet at Dartmeet. Each river has many must-see places; this short walk leads to one of the West Dart's attractions. The walk leading down to the river of the West Dart, stepping stones, a quiet spot to watch wildlife, or have a picnic.

A walk to explore some moorland tors, an open moorland walk, which offers the experience of the remoteness of the moor, yet is still relatively safe for the novice walker. The walk has several features that can act as a safety net for the walker to reference, to check the location. Should the walker wander, there are other natural stops to get back on track.

Retracing the old moorland railway line before passing many Stone Age hut circles, a stone row, and an old firing range. Passing an area where conservation work involving re-wetting of the moors is being done. Passing a small waterfall and then following a leat before returning to the parking area

The old Princetown to Yelverton moorland railway line, now disused, is a well-defined linear feature high up on Dartmoor, a popular destination. The walk, starting in Princetown and 'walking out the track', offers options to explore Stone Age settlements and the disused granite quarries in the area, passing some Dartmoor tors, and on a clear day, provides some far-reaching views of West Devon.

This walk, although relatively short, may play tricks with the mind. The first is seeing Cox Tor, the first objective, directly north of the car park. It appears higher than it is due to the open vista to the west. Once reaching the top, you are rewarded with panoramic views across much of the west and moorland. The route then leads through an old Stone Age, Stone Circle settlement to Roos and Staple Tor. With the perception of distance playing a trick, the Tors appear a long way away. Then dropping down to a leat, past Merrivale Quarry (disused), and making the way back following the leat to Windy Cross before reaching the start. With the start point being visible for much of the walk, the temptation to shorten a planned route becomes willpower.

The route is on Dartmoor's south moor, and it follows some well-defined linear features, which will assist route finding. The route passes many interesting artifacts, including moorland Crosses, Fox Tor Mire, which inspired Conan Doyle's The Hounds of the Baskerville, and Grimpen Mire. The river Swincombe footbridge, and even walking on a part of what was once a road built by conscientious objectors.

Dartmoor is known for its remote, rocky hilltops, known as tors. This short walk takes in three of the most easily accessible tors on the moor. The route gives walkers, new to the area, an example of open moorland and to 'bag' some tors. The route passes the popular Vixen Tor and the 'Windy Post Cross'.

Wistman's Wood is a National Nature Reserve, an ancient dwarf oak woodland. It is one of Britain's ancient temperate rainforests. This route leads to the edge of the woods, and find the Buller Stone, an inscribed granite boulder. The route then climbs up to the ridge and some impressive moorland Tors, with panoramic views.

Crossing the River Plym and climbing up through the woods to the top. At the top of the rocky outcrop, see the far-reaching views of Plymouth Sound, passing through stone circle clusters, and a waymark cross. Crossing the river again at Cadover, then following the old 'Pipe Track' back down to Shaugh Bridge.

A walk out onto open moorland, with the reassurance of following clearly defined linear features. The walk follows the boundary of the Forest of Dartmoor, and continues along the Devonport Leat to Peat Cot, a remote moorland hamlet. Working the way back to Tor Royal, Bullpark and Bacholar's Hall, before returning to Princetown and views of the Prison.

Burrator Reservoir, on the Western fringes of Dartmoor National Park, is a local beauty spot in itself, which has many guided routes through the trees and water line. This walk follows a well-defined track up onto the higher moors, then makes its way back on another well-defined path, through the village of Sheepstor, and finally follows the lane around the Reservoir, passing many interesting artifacts along the way to see and wonder.

A walk that takes in the industrial past within this area. Climbing some Tors and seeing the panoramic views. Shortly after the first waypoint, the route doesn't follow paths on the map, but can still be followed. The paths on this route are not very visible/marked in places. It is strongly recommended that you follow the route using the GPX on the Visorando app.

The walk starts at Lydford and makes its way up onto open moorland. It is a day walk. On a clear day, there will be far-reaching views, and on a not-so-clear day, refreshing navigation skills. This walk will lead you into open moorland. From (4) to (7), the route doesn't follow paths on the map. It is strongly recommended that you follow the route using the GPX on the Visorando app, with the backup of a map and compass. Do not attempt unless you are a competent 'remote' walker, with good navigation skills, and you are prepared for any eventualities.This walk leads into one of the Dartmoor Firing ranges. See Practical Information for information.This route can be used as a navigational exercise for competent walkers. NOTE: Dartmoor's weather can change in an instant; one minute it's sunny, and the next, thick with fog, it can be dry, then heavy rain.

Lovely walk to discover the Dartmoor National Park. This walk starts from Fingle Bridge National Trust and has great view on Castle Drogo.

A circular walk around Burrator Reservoir, through woodland trails, and up to Sheepstor Tor, the high point of the area, through some "Bluebell woods" (when in season).

Varied walk starting and ending in Cornwood Square. Some road but open moorland, farmland and walled footpaths.