Divine Dartmoor Walks

MID DARTMOOR: Chagford and Two Moors Way

An easy walk taking the riverside walk of the Two Moors Way and the ancient stannary town of Chagford. DISTANCE: 2.3 miles NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Inn and restaurants in Chagford. FACILITIES: Public toilets in the pepperpot building in the main square. CAR PARKING: Health Centre car park (SX 702875) Parking in the Health Centre car park turn left and when you... Read more →

Tale of Mary Whiddon

If you visit the church of St Michael the Archangel in Chagford you will find a verse carved into the stone floor commemorating Mary Whiddon. It is believed this inspired R.D. Blackmore to write Lorna Doone. The verse reads: “Reader wouldst know who here is laid, Behold a matron yet maid, A modest look, a pious heart, A Mary for... Read more →

Tradgedy and mystery at Jay's Grave

Jay’s Grave (SX 732799) The story of Kitty Jay is one of the more well-known ones on Dartmoor and local award-winning musician Seth Lakeman even wrote a song about it. In brief the legend says that in the late 18th century unmarried farm girl Kitty Jay became pregnant and after being left with no home and no reputation she committed... Read more →

MID DARTMOOR: Bellever Tor

This walk is easy underfoot and takes in lovely views from Bellever Tor and also ancient remains including a cist and stone row. DISTANCE: 3 miles (a good path up, could be a little soggier on the way back) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Postbridge or Princetown CAR PARKING: In Bellever car park (SX 646787) Turn right on the main road just before... Read more →

WEST DARTMOOR: Tavy Cleave and Hare Tor

Walk deep through the heart of a magical cleave and then take in far reaching views from Hare Tor and Ger Tor. DISTANCE: 4.5 miles moderate/difficult walking (9 miles difficult) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Tavistock CAR PARKING: At Lanehead (SX 537824) Some of this walk is within the Dartmoor Firing Range so check times before heading out. Just when I think I’ve... Read more →

Unofficial War Horse trail

Hollywood cast its glamour on Dartmoor for a couple of weeks in August 2010 while parts of the movie War Horse, based on a book written by Devon-born Michael Morpurgo, were filmed. After researching on the Internet and following various rumours and intrigue I’ve put together a couple of locations where you can go to follow in the footsteps of... Read more →

WEST DARTMOOR: Cox Tor and Stephen’s Grave

A handful of tors, an ancient grave and a standing stone are highlights of this walk which has stunning views over the moors and west Devon DISTANCE: 7 miles moderate walking (or 2.3 miles easy, about 10 miles difficult) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Tavistock or Princetown CAR PARKING: Large car park on Pork Hill at SX 531751. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Bus Services 98... Read more →

SOUTH DARTMOOR: Three Barrows and Spurrell’s Cross

An ancient burial ground, the Two Moors Way walking track and a unique waymarker cross, all with Dartmoor’s usual glorious views! DISTANCE: 6.5 miles (moderate walking) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Ivybridge or South Brent CAR PARKING: Peek Moor Gate (SX 677593) The day dawned bright and sunny and few friends joined me for this lovely jaunt on south Dartmoor. There’s room for... Read more →

SOUTH-WEST DARTMOOR: Ingra Tor and Leeden Tor

An easy walk taking in an old railway track and some beautiful Dartmoor views DISTANCE: nearly 3 miles (easy) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Princetown or Yelverton CAR PARKING: A car park at the base of Leeden Tor (SX 563708) If you’ve had a large lunch and want a stroll then this is a good choice and there’s only hill! Park in the... Read more →

EAST DARTMOOR: Trenchford and Tottiford reservoirs

This gentle walk takes in two lovely reservoirs on the eastern side of the moor in a figure-of-eight walk. There are plenty of paths to extend your walk if you wish to go further. DISTANCE: 3 miles (easy walking, mainly level, though close to water at times) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Bovey Tracey or Moretonhampstead. There are also picnic benches dotted around... Read more →

South-West Dartmoor: Drizzlecombe and Shavercombe Brook waterfall

An ancient pre-historic complex including the largest standing stone on the moor, a beautiful waterfall, a peaceful river and Deadman’s Bottom. Now all you need is the sun for a gorgeous day out. DISTANCE: 5.5 miles (medium difficulty with a few adventurous river and stream crossings. This one is probably best for drier weather due to this as the water... Read more →

SOUTH WEST DARTMOOR: Lowery Cross and Burrator Halt

Get a new angle on Burrator Reservoir along an old railway track and enjoy the spectacular views on this fairly level and easygoing walk... DISTANCE: 2.5 miles (easy walk, fairly level all the way) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Burrator Inn or Meavy FACILITIES: As above. CAR PARKING: Small car park at Lowery Cross. Burrator reservoir is a beautiful landmark on the moor... Read more →

Mid Dartmoor: Postbridge waterfall walk

This medium difficulty walk takes in an old potato starch factory and a beautiful waterfall... DISTANCE: 6 miles (medium difficulty) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Postbridge or Princetown FACILITIES: Small information centre and toilets CAR PARKING: Dartmoor National Park Authority car park. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Transmoor link (service 82) in the summer on Sundays between Plymouth and Exeter I’d decided to put myself... Read more →

SOUTH DARTMOOR: Avon Dam and Zeal Tor Tramway

A pleasant seven miles around Avon Dam reservoir taking in an ancient trackway and two crosses DISTANCE: 7 miles medium difficulty (or 3 miles easy, to the dam and back) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: South Brent FACILITIES: Toilets and information board CAR PARKING: Car park. Park at Shipley Bridge (SX 681629). It gets very busy here so if you want a parking... Read more →

MID DARTMOOR: Wistman’s Wood and Longaford Tor

In search of the Devil’s Wisht hounds in an ancient stunted oak forest, this walk also takes in 360-degree views from Longaford Tors. DISTANCE: 2.6 miles easy or 4.6 miles medium difficulty NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Princetown, Two Bridges Hotel FACILITIES: Public toilets at Princetown CAR PARKING: Opposite Two Bridges Hotel is a small disused quarry which is a car parking area.... Read more →

East Dartmoor: Hameldown Tor and Grimspound

There might be giants! Or maybe it’s a 20ft sculpture called Giant’s Chair. This six mile Dartmoor walk takes in the modern masterpiece as well as a tragic legend, an ancient cross and the Bronze age settlement of Grimspound. IMPORTANT NOTE: In mid-July 2010 the Giant's Chair was removed - it will hopefully be relocated somewhere else - I'm keeping... Read more →

Once upon a time

In the pretty village of Buckland-in-the-Moor lies St Peter’s Church. Churches in rural villages are usually interesting in themselves but St Peter’s has the added attraction of an unusual clock face. If you’re looking to tell the time from this clock you may notice that instead of numbers are the words ‘my dear mother’. This addition to the church happened... Read more →

SOUTH-WEST DARTMOOR: Yellowmead circles and Cuckoo Rock

Find out where the piskies like to play, as well as a stunning stone circle. Most of this four-and-a-half-mile walk is on open moorland and sometimes the ‘track’ disappears and then re-appears again, but the landmarks are very prominent. DISTANCE: 4.5 miles (medium difficulty) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: The Royal Oak at Meavy (excellent food), or to a cafe or pub at... Read more →

MID DARTMOOR: Northmore's Cross and Nun's Cross

From the smallest cross on the Dartmoor to one of the largest, this six mile medium difficulty walk is mainly on man-made paths and also takes in tors and disused tin mines. DISTANCE: 6 miles (easy/medium difficulty walk, mainly on man-made paths) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Princetown FACILITIES: As above. CAR PARKING: Small car parking area. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Bus services to Princetown... Read more →

SOUTH DARTMOOR: Coombestone Tor and Horns Cross

Dartmoor at its best - a rocky granite tor view a great view, vast open moorland and an ancient cross. The terrain is over moorland and the first hill up from the car park is of medium difficulty, but otherwise an easy four-mile walk. DISTANCE: 4 miles (easy walk overall but the first hill is of medium difficulty) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS:... Read more →

SOUTH: Buckland Beacon

This is about as level as it gets on Dartmoor - an easy two miles to Buckland Beacon and back, taking in a beautiful view and the intriguing ten commandment stones. DISTANCE: 2 miles (easy walk) NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Holne, Ashburton or Widecombe in the Moor. FACILITIES: None CAR PARKING: There is car park at Cold East Cross, by the T-junction.... Read more →

SOUTH-WEST DARTMOOR: Crazywell Pool and Devonport Leat

You are rewarded with a beautiful view over Burrator Reservoir after a long and rocky hill up from Norsworthy Bridge - Dartmoor National Park at its best! Then you leave the main path and walk across moorland for the restored cross, again with great views, and Crazywell Pool. Then following Devonport Leat (with one steep downhill bit to the aqueduct)... Read more →

NORTH: Meldon Reservoir

There are a number of walks you can do from here including a three-miler around the reservoir. However I fancied something a little more challenging so did a seven-and-a-half-mile wide arc taking in Sourton Tors, Steng-a-Tor, Black Tor and Longstone Hill. Not for the faint-hearted this walk is tough going and also ventures in the territory of the beast of... Read more →

MID/NORTH DARTMOOR: Fernworthy circular

This 7 mile circular Dartmoor walk takes in a host of history Read more →

WEST DARTMOOR: Pork Hill Circular

An easy three mile dartmoor walk with a circular route from Pork Hill car park to Pew Tor and Windy Post Cross Read more →