Princetown, Childe's Tomb, Swincombe, Bull Park

Before beginning the route, check

• The route has been downloaded
• Appropriate clothing, footwear, water, and snacks
• Paid the parking due

(S/E) From the car park W3W >>>, pass the public conveniences, the only ones along the route, heading south past the Jubilee lamp. Walking between the Plume of Feathers and the Railway Bunk house, heading south up the lane. This lane is commonly known as the 'yellow brick road', climbing out of the village, this is a well-defined path. As the path reaches the top and levels out, South Hessary Tor will become visible.
At South Hessary - see iron rod at the top - This is a boundary marker to what is the Forest of Dartmoor.

(1) Continue along the path, passing a granite pyramid-topped pillar.
This has the marking PCWW - water catchment marker for Burrator Reservoir, which is visible, looking west.
The path starts to drop into the valley, and there is a large granite cross.

Siward's Cross or Nun's Cross, a waymarker for monks crossing the moors from Buckfast Abbey to Tavistock, 'The Abbots Way'.
From the cross, leaving the 'yellow brick road', head southeast, Nun's Cross Farm on the right, an outward-bound bunk house, and there will be a track which leads to the leat.
Devonport Leat - supplied water to the naval fleet at Devonport, before joining Plymouth to become a City. The water now augments Burrator and other areas.
Cross the granite sleeper bridge, and on the southern side of the leat bank, follow the leat upstream.

Escape Route - for assistance or other, a Rendezvous Point. Continue along the leat, to the road bridge, left, and follow the road back to Princetown, or else follow the same route to this point; but it is not easy for vehicular assistance.

(2) Abutting the raised leat bank is a linear feature, a wall. Step down off the leat bank and follow the wall. It is best at this stage to stay on the northern side. The wall will drop and cross over a stream, using the wall as a bridge to cross the stream, and continue following the wall. There will be gateways along the wall after 1200m, to the north of the wall, see a large cross.

(3) Childe's Tomb: see - In the nearby area.
Rejoin the wall best on the southern side and handrail the wall up to the top, where there is a gateway, with another cross, between the granite gate posts.

(4) This is known as Mount Misery - the farm was Fox Tor Farm - names like 'Mount Misery' were given to 'unproductive' land.

Of Interest - Looking west and up through the valley floor is Fox Tor Mire, a bog that inspired Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes - The Hound of the Baskervilles and the noted Grimpen Mire.

From the cross, the route leaves any feature to guide. Using the app, head east. As you start to climb, two small (in height) crosses will appear, known as Ter Hill crosses. On the second most easterly cross, head in a northerly direction; there are still no tracks, the moorland grass could be 'hard going' tussocks. Keeping in a northerly direction will lead to another linear feature to handrail. Heading for and going down 'Deep Swincombe' to the bottom and meeting with a track. Coming down 'Deep Swincombe' will mean turning right at the track to Swincombe Bridge (5).

Escape Route- for assistance or other, a Rendezvous Point. Continue on the track, it will lead to a gate, right at the road, and then left at the top of the hill, and then left to Forest Inn.

(5) Swincombe wooden bridge. Over the bridge, past the old farm ruins, this is the 'Dartmoor Way High Moor Link'. The track is well used, and there will be a gate out onto 'Tor Royal Newtake'. There is a wall to follow, but the track will be clear.

Of Interest -Near Bull Park, this is a section of track/road built by conscientious objectors during the war.

(6) Bull Park. Go through the gate, past the house, and through the gate on the right. Follow the track to an old building, Bachelor's Hall, a former slaughterhouse for the Prison, now an outward-bound bunk house. Take the track up the hill through the gate over Devonport Leat, and continue up the hill. As the track crests the hill, see black houses. The track then drops down towards the village. Looking north, see the Dartmoor Prison. Go through the gate, left up the road, and into the village, and return to the start (S/E)

It is strongly recommended that you follow the route using the GPX on the Visorando app. Mobile signal in remote areas of Dartmoor cannot be guaranteed. Have a battery bank for the mobile phone, a map for the area, a compass, and know how to use.

Start: This walk's starting point, Princetown Car park W3W >>>

Alternative Transport: There is a bus Service which travels across the moors, but the timings of which need to be confirmed

Parking: Vehicle parking - This is a large free moorland car park, it is a very popular starting point for moorland walkers. Getting there early ensures a parking place. This is a pay-and-display.

Timing: The time taken is estimated, to allow extra time, when appropriate, for exploring and personal pace.

Note: Ensure that the country code is followed and that dogs are kept under control. (Farmers have rights if moorland animals are pestered by dogs.)

Wellbeing: Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the conditions. This is a long moorland walk; good supporting boots/shoes are recommended.

Throughout the walk, keep hydrated and take a snack.

Care should be taken if climbing tors, especially when wet; be mindful of the more adventurous scrambles and appreciate that there can be some high drops

Although it is not common, there is a remote chance of picking up 'ticks'. It is advisable to check oneself and the dogs for ticks. Be Tick aware >>

Accessibility: The route does enter a remote area of the moor. Be sure to inform someone of your intended route and timing, and/or use the 'Share my location' within the Visorando app. Do not attempt unless you are a competent 'remote' walker, and you are prepared for any eventualities

Dartmoor is open-access land -On the moor, you are free to choose your walking route, and you don’t have to keep to public rights of way. Access Land is shown on the OS maps as a yellow wash.

Refreshments: Be sure to take water and snacks. The local village shop could help.

Option: This is a circular route that can be walked either way.

Take plenty of memories and leave only footprints

Handrail: to follow a linear feature - a wall, a river, etc (note: not all linear features on a map are visible on the ground) - this walk uses known visible linear features

Escape Route: a preplanned route to quickly and safely exit the route, a point on the route that is the nearest point to get assistance if required

1. Dartmoor Prison - The Prison Museum
2. Accommodation, including camping fields and barns
3. Pub grub and two cafes
4. Childe's Tomb - This tomb was placed there by monks. Who found a man frozen inside a horse, Childe, the man, got caught in a blizzard, killed his horse to shelter. With a note that if he should perish, whoever found him could have his land. The monk found him and erected the cross
5. Conan Doyle - Sherlock Holmes -The Hounds of the Baskerville - Grimpen Mire - inspired by Fox Tor Mire