Dartmoor Way

Walking the Dartmoor Way: A Circuit of England’s Last Wilderness

The Dartmoor Way is a spectacular 95-mile (153 km) circular trail that circumnavigates Dartmoor National Park, offering an immersive journey through one of England’s most dramatic and atmospheric landscapes. This challenging route explores the interface between the wild moorland interior and the gentler countryside surrounding it, passing through historic market towns, ancient villages, river valleys, and along the very edge of the high moor. It’s a trail that reveals Dartmoor’s many faces—from bleak, windswept tors to sheltered wooded valleys, from prehistoric monuments to medieval churches, from working farms to abandoned mines.

The Route and Character

The Dartmoor Way forms a complete circuit around Dartmoor, meaning you can start and finish at any point along the route. Popular starting points include Okehampton (the largest town on the northern edge), Tavistock (a historic stannary town on the western side), or any of the villages that the trail passes through. The circular nature allows flexibility in planning and creates a satisfying sense of journey and return.

Most walkers complete the Dartmoor Way over six to eight days, covering 12-16 miles (19-26 km) daily. This pace allows time to appreciate the varied landscapes, explore the towns and villages, and adjust to the physical demands of moorland walking. The terrain is genuinely challenging—the trail includes significant ascents and descents, exposed moorland sections, potentially boggy ground, and navigation that requires skill and attention. This is not a trail for beginners; it demands good fitness, mountain walking experience, and confident navigation skills.

Trail Highlights and Landscapes

The Character of Dartmoor

Before exploring the trail’s specific sections, understanding Dartmoor itself is essential. This is England’s largest and wildest area of open country south of the Peak District—a granite upland rising to over 2,000 feet, characterized by exposed tors (weathered granite outcrops), blanket bog, heather moorland, and a sense of space and wildness increasingly rare in southern England.

Dartmoor has been inhabited for at least 10,000 years, and the landscape bears the marks of every era—Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, Neolithic and Bronze Age farmers who left stone circles and burial cairns, medieval tin miners, Victorian quarrymen, and modern military training areas. This layering of human history across a dramatic natural landscape creates Dartmoor’s unique character.

The moor is also a working landscape—ponies, cattle, and sheep graze under ancient commoners’ rights, maintaining the open character. The Dartmoor pony, a semi-wild breed, is an iconic sight, and these hardy animals are integral to the moorland ecosystem.

Okehampton and the Northern Moor

Okehampton, sitting at the northern edge of the moor where the East and West Okement rivers meet, makes an excellent starting point. The town has served as a gateway to Dartmoor for centuries and offers all facilities for walkers.

Okehampton Castle, a Norman ruin dramatically positioned above the West Okement River, is one of Devon’s largest castle sites. The ruins, managed by English Heritage, sit within beautiful grounds and provide historical context for the region.

The northern sections of the trail pass through a landscape of deep river valleys (locally called “cleaves”), ancient oak woodlands, and open moorland. The contrast between the sheltered, lush valleys and the exposed, windswept moor creates dramatic transitions.

Yes Tor and High Willhays – While not directly on the trail, these are Dartmoor’s highest points (both over 2,000 feet, with High Willhays being the highest point in southern England). The trail passes close enough to offer views of these distinctive summits, and strong walkers may detour to bag them. Note that this area is within the military training range and access may be restricted—always check firing times.

Belstone and the Tors

The trail passes through or near Belstone, a beautiful moorland village with traditional thatched cottages and a strong sense of community. The village sits at the foot of Belstone Tor and Cosdon Hill, prominent features of the northern moor.

The tors—weathered granite outcrops that crown many of Dartmoor’s hills—are the moor’s most distinctive features. Formed by millions of years of weathering that has eroded the softer surrounding rock, leaving the harder granite exposed, these natural sculptures create dramatic skylines. Each tor has its own character—some are single massive rocks, others are jumbled piles of boulders, and some form natural rock formations that inspire names and legends.

Chagford and the Eastern Moor

Chagford is one of Dartmoor’s most attractive small towns, a former stannary town (where tin was weighed and taxed) with a long history of prosperity from wool and tin. The town’s granite buildings, including the distinctive Three Crowns Hotel and the Church of St. Michael, reflect centuries of wealth. The town offers excellent facilities, independent shops, and a strong artistic community.

The eastern sections pass through the Teign Valley, one of Dartmoor’s most beautiful river valleys. The River Teign flows through ancient oak woodlands, over waterfalls, and through dramatic gorges. Fingle Bridge, a 16th-century packhorse bridge, is one of Dartmoor’s most photographed spots, and the surrounding woodland walks are exceptional.

Castle Drogo, perched dramatically above the Teign Gorge, is the last castle built in England (completed 1930) and a remarkable example of early 20th-century architecture. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for Julius Drewe (founder of the Home and Colonial Stores), the castle combines medieval castle aesthetics with modern (for the time) construction. Now managed by the National Trust, it’s well worth a visit.

Moretonhampstead is another attractive small town, with its distinctive colonnaded almshouses and traditional market character. The town serves as a gateway to the eastern moor and offers good accommodation options.

Bovey Tracey and the Southern Approaches

Bovey Tracey, known as the “Gateway to the Moor,” sits where the River Bovey emerges from Dartmoor. This small town has a strong craft heritage, hosting the Devon Guild of Craftsmen at Riverside Mill, and offers a pleasant mix of independent shops and cafes.

The southern sections of the trail pass through a gentler landscape than the northern moor—rolling farmland, wooded valleys, and scattered villages. The contrast with the wild northern sections emphasizes Dartmoor’s diversity.

Haytor is one of Dartmoor’s most visited tors, easily accessible and offering spectacular views. The distinctive twin rock formations crown Haytor Down, and the surrounding area includes the Haytor Granite Tramway—a unique granite railway built in 1820 to transport granite from the quarries to the Stover Canal. The granite setts (rails) are still visible, creating a fascinating industrial archaeology trail.

Widecombe-in-the-Moor is perhaps Dartmoor’s most famous village, immortalized in the folk song “Widecombe Fair” (“Tom Pearce, Tom Pearce, lend me your grey mare…”). The village’s Church of St. Pancras, known as the “Cathedral of the Moor” for its impressive size and 120-foot tower, dominates the landscape. The village sits in a beautiful valley surrounded by tors and offers traditional Dartmoor character.

Princetown and the High Moor

Princetown, at 1,400 feet, is one of England’s highest settlements and Dartmoor’s only significant settlement in the moorland interior. The town is dominated by Dartmoor Prison, built in 1809 to house French prisoners from the Napoleonic Wars and later American prisoners from the War of 1812. The prison still operates as a Category C facility, and its imposing presence shapes the town’s character.

The Dartmoor National Park Visitor Centre in Princetown provides excellent interpretation of the moor’s natural and human history and is worth visiting for context and information.

The trail passes through or near the highest, wildest parts of Dartmoor. This is blanket bog country—vast expanses of wet moorland dominated by purple moor grass, cotton grass, and sphagnum moss. These bogs are ecologically important, storing carbon and providing habitat for specialized species, but they’re also challenging to cross—the ground is often waterlogged, and navigation requires care.

North Hessary Tor, crowned by a distinctive television mast, is visible for miles and serves as a landmark. The surrounding area includes some of Dartmoor’s most atmospheric walking—exposed, wild, and genuinely remote feeling despite being in southern England.

Tavistock and the Western Moor

Tavistock is a substantial market town on Dartmoor’s western edge, with a rich history as a stannary town and center of copper mining in the 19th century. The town was built around Tavistock Abbey (founded 961 AD, dissolved 1539), and the Bedford family (Dukes of Bedford) owned much of the town and surrounding area, shaping its development.

The town’s architecture reflects its prosperity—the Pannier Market, the Gothic-style Town Hall, and numerous Victorian buildings create an attractive townscape. Tavistock was the birthplace of Sir Francis Drake, and a statue commemorates the famous Elizabethan seafarer.

The western sections of the trail pass through former mining areas. The Tavistock Canal and Devon Great Consols mine (once the world’s richest copper mine) are reminders of the 19th-century mining boom that transformed this area. The industrial archaeology is fascinating—ruined engine houses, spoil heaps, and abandoned infrastructure tell stories of boom and bust.

Lydford Gorge, managed by the National Trust, is one of Devon’s most spectacular natural features. The River Lyd has carved a deep gorge through the rock, creating waterfalls (including the 90-foot White Lady Waterfall) and dramatic scenery. The gorge walk is a popular attraction and worth the detour if time allows.

Lydford village itself has a fascinating history. Lydford Castle, actually a 12th-century prison rather than a defensive castle, was notorious for harsh justice—the “Lydford Law” meant summary trials and harsh punishments. The village also has a beautiful church and traditional Devon character.

Prehistoric and Archaeological Treasures

The Dartmoor Way passes numerous prehistoric sites, reflecting the moor’s importance to Bronze Age communities:

Stone Rows and Circles – Dartmoor has the greatest concentration of Bronze Age remains in Britain. Stone rows (alignments of standing stones), stone circles, burial cairns, and hut circles dot the landscape. The purpose of stone rows remains debated, but they clearly had ritual or ceremonial significance.

Grimspound – One of Dartmoor’s most complete Bronze Age settlements, this enclosure contains the remains of 24 hut circles within a stone wall. Dating from around 1450-700 BC, it provides tangible evidence of how Bronze Age people lived on the moor.

Merrivale – This area contains an exceptional concentration of Bronze Age monuments including stone rows, a stone circle, standing stones, cairns, and a cist (stone burial chamber). It’s one of the best places to appreciate the density of prehistoric activity on Dartmoor.

Walking among these ancient monuments creates a powerful connection to the past. These stones were placed by people who lived and died on this moor over 3,000 years ago, and their presence reminds us that Dartmoor has been significant to humans for millennia.

Wildlife and Ecology

Dartmoor supports distinctive upland wildlife adapted to harsh conditions:

Dartmoor Ponies – These semi-wild ponies are an iconic sight. Hardy and sure-footed, they graze the moor year-round, helping maintain the open landscape. They’re not truly wild (all have owners under commoners’ rights) but live largely unmanaged lives.

Birds – Skylarks sing over the open moor, while meadow pipits are abundant. Stonechats perch on gorse bushes, and wheatears visit in summer. Birds of prey include buzzards (very common), kestrels, peregrines, and occasionally merlins and hen harriers. Ravens croak overhead, and ring ouzels (mountain blackbirds) inhabit rocky areas. The bogs support curlews, snipe, and golden plovers (all declining).

Mammals – Roe deer inhabit the wooded valleys, while rabbits are common on

Mammals – Roe deer inhabit the wooded valleys, while rabbits are common on drier ground. Foxes, badgers, and stoats are present but often elusive. Otters have returned to Dartmoor’s rivers, and patient observers may spot them or their signs along the cleaves. Bats, including rare species like the greater horseshoe bat, roost in old buildings and mines.

Reptiles – All six British reptile species are present on Dartmoor. Adders (Britain’s only venomous snake) bask on sunny banks—give them space and they’ll retreat. Grass snakes, slow worms, common lizards, and in specific locations, the rare smooth snake and sand lizard can be found.

Invertebrates – The blanket bogs support specialized species including the large marsh grasshopper and various dragonflies. Butterflies include the marsh fritillary (rare and declining) on appropriate habitat, along with more common species like small pearl-bordered fritillaries in woodland clearings.

Flora – The moorland vegetation varies with altitude and drainage. Heather (ling) dominates drier areas, creating purple carpets in late summer. Wet areas support purple moor grass, cotton grass (with distinctive white fluffy seedheads), and sphagnum mosses in various colors. The bogs are important carbon stores and provide habitat for insectivorous plants like sundews and butterworts. Ancient woodlands in the valleys support bluebells, wood sorrel, and various ferns, while the cleaves contain rare Atlantic bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) in the humid conditions.

Planning Your Walk

The Dartmoor Way is waymarked but crosses challenging terrain where navigation skills are essential. The open moorland sections have few obvious landmarks, and mist can descend rapidly, reducing visibility to meters. OS Explorer Maps OL28 (Dartmoor) covers the entire route and is essential. A detailed guidebook is strongly recommended.

Accommodation is available in the towns and larger villages—Okehampton, Chagford, Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey, Princetown, Tavistock, and Lydford all offer options including B&Bs, inns, and small hotels. Some sections have limited accommodation, requiring careful planning. Wild camping is possible in some areas (with landowner permission and following Leave No Trace principles), though much of Dartmoor is common land with specific regulations.

Terrain and Conditions: This is serious moorland walking. The terrain includes:

• Boggy ground – Dartmoor’s blanket bogs can be very wet, and some areas are impassable after heavy rain
• Pathless sections – Some moorland crossings follow indistinct paths or require cross-country navigation
• River crossings – Several rivers must be crossed, and after heavy rain these can be dangerous or impossible
• Exposed ridges – High sections are exposed to weather with no shelter
• Uneven ground – Tussocky grass, hidden holes, and rough terrain require careful foot placement

Good mountain boots are essential. Gaiters are highly recommended for boggy sections. Full waterproofs, warm layers, map, compass, emergency shelter, whistle, first aid kit, and extra food are mandatory equipment.

Weather: Dartmoor’s weather is notoriously changeable and can be severe. Conditions on the high moor can be dramatically different from the valleys—wind speeds can be extreme, rain is frequent, and mist can persist for days. In winter, snow is common on high ground, and ice makes paths treacherous. Always check detailed forecasts (Mountain Weather Information Service provides Dartmoor-specific forecasts) and be prepared to modify plans if conditions are poor.

Navigation: Confident map and compass skills are essential. GPS devices or smartphone apps provide backup but shouldn’t replace traditional navigation skills—batteries die, and electronic devices can fail. The open moorland with few obvious features is disorienting in mist. Practice taking bearings and pacing distances before attempting this trail.

Military Firing Ranges: Large areas of northern Dartmoor are used by the military for live firing exercises. When firing is taking place, access is prohibited and red flags are flown. Check firing times before walking (information is available online, by phone, and posted at range boundaries). Ignoring firing restrictions is illegal and extremely dangerous.

Dartmoor Hazards:

• Bogs and mires – Can be deep and dangerous; stick to marked paths where possible
• Abandoned mine shafts – Numerous old mine workings exist; never enter old buildings or explore shafts
• Weather exposure – Hypothermia is a real risk even in summer if you’re wet, cold, and exhausted
• River crossings – Can become dangerous after rain; don’t attempt if unsafe
• Getting lost – The featureless moorland is disorienting; if lost, stay calm, use your map and compass, and if necessary, follow a stream downhill to inhabited areas

Best Time to Walk: Late spring (May-June) offers long days, nesting birds, and generally drier conditions; summer (July-August) provides the warmest weather but can be busy and midges can be troublesome; early autumn (September-October) brings beautiful colors, clearer air, and often settled weather; winter requires winter mountain skills and equipment and is only for experienced walkers.

Supplies and Facilities: The towns offer shops, but some sections involve long distances between facilities. Carry sufficient water (streams can be contaminated by livestock or mining pollution), high-energy food, and emergency rations. Mobile phone coverage is patchy on the moor—don’t rely on it for navigation or emergencies.

Transport: Okehampton has a railway station (summer service on the Dartmoor Line to Exeter). Tavistock has bus connections. Other towns and villages are served by buses, though services can be infrequent, especially on Sundays. The circular nature means you return to your start point, simplifying logistics.

Dartmoor’s Cultural Heritage

Beyond the prehistoric monuments, Dartmoor’s cultural heritage is rich:

Stannary Towns – Tavistock, Chagford, Ashburton, and Plympton were designated stannary towns where tin was weighed, taxed, and traded. Tin mining on Dartmoor dates back to at least the 12th century and continued into the 20th century. The remains of tin streaming (extracting tin from river gravels) and later hard rock mining are visible across the moor.

Letterboxing – Dartmoor is the birthplace of letterboxing, a treasure-hunting game that predates geocaching by over a century. Started in 1854 when a guide left a bottle at Cranmere Pool for visitors to leave their calling cards, it has evolved into a complex network of thousands of letterboxes hidden across the moor. Each contains a unique rubber stamp, and participants collect stamp impressions in their books.

Literature and Art – Dartmoor has inspired countless writers and artists. Arthur Conan Doyle set “The Hound of the Baskervilles” on Dartmoor, and the atmospheric descriptions capture the moor’s mysterious character. Eden Phillpotts wrote numerous novels set on Dartmoor. Artists including J.M.W. Turner painted Dartmoor scenes, and the moor continues to inspire contemporary artists and photographers.

Folklore and Legend – Dartmoor’s wild character has generated numerous legends. The Wild Hunt (spectral huntsmen and hounds crossing the moor), pixies (mischievous spirits who lead travelers astray), the Hairy Hands (ghostly hands that grab vehicle steering wheels on the B3212), and various tales of ghosts, witches, and mysterious events reflect the moor’s ability to inspire awe and unease.

Why Walk the Dartmoor Way?

The Dartmoor Way offers an immersive experience of one of England’s most distinctive landscapes. This isn’t a trail for those seeking easy walking or guaranteed good weather—it’s for walkers who relish challenge, who appreciate wild landscapes, and who understand that the best experiences often come with effort and occasional discomfort.

The circular route creates a complete journey around Dartmoor, revealing how the moor relates to the surrounding countryside and how different aspects of the moor connect. You experience the full spectrum—from the highest, wildest sections to the sheltered valleys, from prehistoric monuments to Victorian industry, from working farms to abandoned mines.

The sense of wilderness is genuine. Despite being in southern England, Dartmoor offers remoteness and exposure rare south of Scotland. When you’re on the high moor in mist with no path and no people visible, you’re experiencing something increasingly precious—genuine solitude and self-reliance in a landscape that demands respect.

For experienced mountain walkers seeking a multi-day challenge without traveling to Scotland or Wales, the Dartmoor Way provides an excellent option. The navigation challenges, weather exposure, and physical demands test skills and fitness while the archaeological and natural interest provides intellectual engagement.

The Dartmoor Way is for those who find beauty in austere landscapes, who appreciate the layers of human history written across the land, and who understand that wilderness isn’t just about remoteness from civilization but about landscapes that retain their own character and power. It’s a trail that tests you, teaches you, and rewards you with experiences and memories that last a lifetime.

Walking the Dartmoor Way, you’ll understand why this landscape has captivated people for millennia, why it continues to inspire artists and writers, and why it remains one of England’s most special places—a landscape where nature and human history intertwine across a dramatic stage of granite tors, blanket bogs, and endless skies.

The trail starts and ends in Ivybridge, a small town situated on the southern edge of Dartmoor National Park, and passes through a variety of landscapes, including open moorland, woodlands, and river valleys. The route is well-marked, with signposts and waymarkers to guide hikers along the way.

Along the route, hikers can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside, as well as encounter a wealth of wildlife, including wild ponies, deer, and a variety of bird species. The trail also passes by several historic landmarks, including ancient stone circles, hill forts, and medieval churches.

Accommodation options along the route are plentiful, with a range of campsites, B&Bs, and hotels available in the nearby towns and villages. There are also plenty of pubs and cafes along the way, providing opportunities for refreshments and rest.

Map of Dartmoor Way

Interactive Map of the Dartmoor Way

10 Day Walk Itinerary – Dartmoor Way

Stage	Starting Point	Distance (miles)	Ascend (feet)
Day 1	Ivybridge to Shipley Bridge	10
Day 2	Shipley Bridge to Ashburton	10.5
Day 3	Ashburton to Bovey Tracey	12.3
Day 4	Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead	10.6
Day 5	Moretonhampstead to Chagford	8
Day 6	Chagford to Okehampton	12.2
Day 7	Okehampton to Lydford	9.7
Day 8	Lydford to Tavistock	12.8
Day 9	Tavistock to Shaugh Bridge	11.6
Day 10	Shaugh Bridge to Ivybridge	12

OS Maps Required for Dartmoor Way

Dartmoor Way Related Book