Divine Dartmoor Walks

Welcome to Divine Dartmoor Walks

For full list of Dartmoor walks click here.

The walks on this website are a guide to the mystery, legend and history that makes Dartmoor National Park a popular destination for walkers. 
Dartmoor National Park in Devon has a rich variety of landscape, from moorland and tors, to forests and reservoirs. It spans 368 square miles (953 sq.km)  and is approximately 22 miles (35 km) east to west and 24 miles (38km) north to south. Add that a wealth of history and archeological remains and you will always find somewhere interesting to explore.

For information on where to stay, eat and visit on Dartmoor, please see www.visitdartmoor.co.uk

If you love Dartmoor, now you can colour it with my book Drawn to Divine Dartmoor Landscapes, creative greyscale colouring book for adults. Click here for more details.

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East Dartmoor: Hisley Woods

Take a walk in the woods, following ancient trackways Distance: 3 miles (moderate, with steep ascents and descents) Nearest refreshments: Parke / Bovey Tracey Parking: Trendlebere Down SX 772 797 While I enjoy planning routes sometimes it’s nice to walk ones created by other people, so I found the Hisley Heritage Walk leaflet and enjoyed the autumnal glory of the... Read more →

East Dartmoor: Smallacombe Rocks and Yarner Woods

A walk of two landscapes taking in glorious views from Smallacombe Rocks then descending into wonderful woodland. DISTANCE: 6.5 miles (moderate, with one steep descent) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Haytor, Bovey Tracey or Widecombe CAR PARKING: Haytor Down at SX 770 779 From the parking area take the path up the hill, which eventually levels out. From here you have lovely views... Read more →

NORTH DARTMOOR: Nine Maidens and Belstone Tor

An interesting village, an ancient legend and some of the best views on the moor. This is a moderate walk but can be extended for a longer and harder route. DISTANCE: 4.2 miles (moderate walking due to the amount of clitter on the plateau) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Belstone village or Okehampton CAR PARKING: At the road side at SX616934 Some of... Read more →

South West Dartmoor: Hawk's Tor and Collard Tor

Take in ancient settlements, unusual tors against the backdrop of the China Clay works DISTANCE: 3 miles (easy) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Wotter or Shaugh Prior CAR PARKING: Beatland Corner SX 546 626 From the parking area cross the road and head across the moorland path to far the corner of the wall, until you reach another road. Turn left and walk... Read more →

South Dartmoor: Shipley Tor and Black Tor

Walk up the valley and back along the ridge, enjoying stunning views DISTANCE: 5.5 miles or 4.5 miles if you omit Shipley Tor (moderate/difficult) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: South Brent CAR PARKING: Shipley Bridge (SX 681629) Shipley Tor is an awkward tor to reach as the land to the south and east is private, so you have to double back on yourself... Read more →

South West Dartmoor: Dewerstone and Cadover Bridge

This picturesque walk gives you stunning views from the top of the Dewerstone, takes in an ancient cross, plus a tranquil section along the river. DISTANCE: 3.5 miles (moderate, with some steep sections) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Shaugh Prior, Clearbrook or Yelverton CAR PARKING: Shaugh Bridge car park (SX 531 630) Parking at Shaugh Bridge you are already immersed into history as... Read more →

West Dartmoor: Hart Tor and Cramber Tor

This walk over Walkhampton Common takes in three tors, a waterfall and a hidden pool DISTANCE: 5.1 miles or 4 if you miss out the waterfall (moderate) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Princetown CAR PARKING: The south west entrance to Princetown or the main car park From Princetown I’ve walked the old railway track many times, or along the popular path to South... Read more →

South Dartmoor: Combestone Tor and Bench Tor

With gorgeous views over the Dart Valley this walk also takes in a leat, a cross and a reservoir DISTANCE: 4.8 miles (easy - one steep ascent and one stile) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Holne or Dartmeet CAR PARKING: Venford Reservoir SX 685714 Starting at the car park on the west side of Venford Reservoir take the path away from the reservoir,... Read more →

East Dartmoor: Buckland Beacon and Rippon Tor

First taking in the renowned ten commandments stone, the walk then takes in three tors which give marvellous views over Dartmoor's landscape DISTANCE: 6 miles (moderate) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Bovey Tracey or Widecombe-in-the-Moor CAR PARKING: Cold East Cross car park (SX 741743) Opposite the car park at Cold East Cross is the path, so cross the road and and take it.... Read more →

North West Dartmoor: Widgery Cross and Bleak House

Walking through the old mining landscape, there are distinctive landmarks and fine views DISTANCE: 7.5 miles (moderate walking, with one steep ascent at the beginning) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Dartmoor Inn or Lydford CAR PARKING: Turn immediate right up a small track after the Dartmoor Inn at Lydford, though a gate to park at SX526853 This walk borders the Dartmoor Firing Range... Read more →

East Dartmoor: Haytor and Rippon Tor

Taking in five tors this walk gives stunning views of the area and has some steep ascents and descents. DISTANCE: 5.6 miles (difficult with steep hills, but a shorter walk of 3.6 miles missing out Rippon Tor would be moderate) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Bovey Tracey or Widecombe-in-the-Moor CAR PARKING: The car park above the Haytor visitor information point at (SX763770). Haytor... Read more →

South Dartmoor: Shipley Bridge and Ball Gate

A moderate route visiting an ancient burial chamber and pretty lanes Distance: 6.5 miles (moderate with two hills, some road) Nearest refreshments: South Brent; toilets in car park Parking: Shipley Bridge SX 681629 While the traditional route from Shipley Bridge is to walk up to Avon Dam, there are other walks in this area. Turn right as you leave the... Read more →

North Dartmoor: Okehampton Station and Meldon Viaduct

An easy walk taking in a cycle path, trains and glorious views Distance: 6.25 miles (easy walking apart from one long hill) Nearest refreshments: Okehampton Station or Meldon Viaduct (seasonal) Parking: Okehampton Station car park SX 593945 Home of the Dartmoor Railway, this location will suit those less able as well as the walkers. There is a seasonal train service... Read more →

West Dartmoor: Lydford Gorge

A moderate walk in a spectacular gorge, owned by the National Trust, taking in a 30m waterfall Distance: 3 miles (reasonably level, but slippery rocks in the gorge; a steep ascent/descent at each end.) Nearest refreshments: National Trust cafes at each end, or Lydford Parking: White Lady waterfall entrance SX 503833 You can park at either end of the the... Read more →

North-east Dartmoor: Scorhill stone circle and Kestor Rock

A moderate walk with one steep hill taking in woodland, ancient ruins and scenic views Distance: nearly 5 miles (over moorland and road, one steep hill) Nearest refreshments: Chagford Parking: Past Gidleigh, at the end of the small road at SX661877 When you’re not quite sure what type of walk you want to do, then this one seems to have... Read more →

MID DARTMOOR: Laughter Tor and Huccaby Tor

A pleasant walk taking in panoramic views and some ancient traditions Distance: 4.5 miles (mainly easy going, but marshy bits between the main track and Huccaby Tor) Nearest refreshments: Princetown, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, or Holne Car parking: On the right, a little before Dunnabridge Pound Farm SX 642767 From the car park go right on small path to Dunnabridge Pound Farm and... Read more →

SOUTH DARTMOOR: Longtimber Woods

This easy stroll in Ivybridge alongside the River Erme and in Longtimber Woods takes about an hour DISTANCE: Under two miles NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Ivybridge CAR PARKING: Harford Road car park While Ivybridge may be the starting point for the Two Moors Way walking route, I was looking for something a little less strenuous to walk off my overindulgence of mince... Read more →

WEST DARTMOOR: Princetown old railway track

The easy walk takes in an old railway track two former quarries, plus some lovely views DISTANCE: 5 miles (easy with some steep downhill bits) PARKING: Princetown. Also toilets and refreshments there. The moors are not a great place to venture during poor weather because the terrain is very boggy in certain areas and even when the rain clears the... Read more →

MID DARTMOOR: Birch Tor

This easy stroll along a fairly even path takes you to Birch Tor for some spectacular views and a nice spot for a picnic! DISTANCE: Just over one mile easy walking NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Warren House Inn or Postbridge CAR PARKING: Off the B3212 at SX 682819 It was one of those rare blue sky Autumn days and I was itching... Read more →

MID DARTMOOR: Beardown Tor and Devil's Tor

This walk takes in some stunning views and captures the wild emptiness of the moor taking in Beardown Tors, Rough Tor, Devil’s Tor and Beardown Man. DISTANCE: 6 miles NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Princetown or Tavistock CAR PARKING: Parking for a few cars at Holming Beam (SX 591765) off the B3357 near Two Bridges It is within the Dartmoor Firing Range so... Read more →