10 Best Dartmoor Walks
Dartmoor is one of nature’s breathing spaces. With 368 square miles full of outstanding natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife, it’s the perfect place for a walk. Dartmoor offers an incredible array and variety of walks: high moor, low moor, riverside, woodland, country lanes etc. Whatever type of walk takes your fancy, you’ll find it in Dartmoor along with stunning views.
Local Dartmoor Walks
Dartmoor’s famous Lustleigh Cleave
Probably the best Dartmoor walk in Devon, and best of all it is virtually right on the doorstep of our Dartmoor holiday home, Three Pound Cottage.
Although there are a variety of walking routes in and around Lustleigh Cleave the pinnacle is a 5 mile circular walk which you can start from the cottage. This Dartmoor walk combines a woodland and riverside ramble with a stunning ridge line walk.
Leave Lustleigh heading towards Foxworthy through the deep and sequestered Cleave, taking in the lovely boulder-strewn waterfall at Horsham Steps. When at Foxworthy head to Hunter’s Tor then return to Lustleigh by following the clearly defined ridge path to Harton Chest and then down into Lustleigh through the village Orchard.
Although this circular walk is generally easy there are some steep slopes. Allow 4 hours to complete the walk to give time to fully enjoy the views, they’re simply stunning. We also recommend finishing the walk in Lustleigh’s fantastic Inn named The Cleave.
River Bovey and Hisley Wood
Circular walk from the cottage which takes you through woodland paths to the picturesque old packhorse bridge “Hisley Bridge” then along the River Bovey and through Higher Knowle Wood. This walk visits much of the best that the immediate area has to offer, enjoying stunning views along the route.
This walk is roughly 4 miles and should take around 2 hours. The woodland paths are generally good underfoot making for easy walking however there is a steep climb to Higher Hisley.
The Wray Valley Trail
This 7 mile trail between Bovey Tracey and Moretonhampstead is a great way to explore and enjoy this beautiful wooded valley. Lustleigh is situated in the middle of the trail so you can use it to walk to either Moretonhampstead or Bovey Travey.
The trail took several years to complete with the final section being opened in December 2019. It required some major works including the installation of 2 long steel bridges crossing the main road.
The route largely follows a disused Victorian railway line and is designed to give easier access to the beauty of the Wray valley. The trail is a multi-use path open to walkers, cyclists and horseriders.
To Manaton and back
Circular walk from Lustleigh to Manaton which takes in Heaven’s Gate and Hunter’s Tor, a large granite outcrop. Close to Hunter’s Tor you’ll find the remains of an Iron Age hillfort.
Although this is an easy walk there are some steep slopes and at almost 8 miles long you should allow at least 4 hours. More if you take a break by calling in to Manaton’s “Kestor Inn” for a refreshing drink and a spot of lunch.
The Bowerman’s Nose
The Bowerman’s Nose on Hayne Down is probably the most unusual granite outcrop on Dartmoor. It is a tall weathered column of large granite rocks. It might only be me but from certain angles it reminds me of a man wearing a flat cap.
As with most things on Dartmoor, there’s folkelore attached to this stack of granite. Bowerman was a brave and strong hunter with a pack of fierce hounds. After upsetting the last witches on Dartmoor he, and his poor hounds, were turned to stone, or so the legend goes.
Sometimes, on misty or moonless nights, many have claimed to hear Bowerman and his pack chasing a quarry!
The Bowerman’s nose is a 4 mile trek from Three Pound Cottage which takes you through Hisley Wood, across the River Bovey on Hisley Bridge, along Houndtor Ridge to the village of Water and then onto Hayne Down. Allow 4 hours for the walk there and back to the cottage, more if planning to pop into the village pub The Cleave for some well deserved refreshments.
Dartmoor Walks a short drive away
Haytor to Houndtor along the Granite Tramway
As well as being the most iconic tor on Dartmoor, Haytor is also home to an old quarry. In it’s heyday during the early 19th century most of the granite quarried went to London to be used in some famous constructions such as London Bridge.
The granite was transported from Haytor to the Stover Canal on an unusual but obvious tramway – the tracks are made from granite. This is known as the Granite Tramway and forms the first part of a walk called the Templer Way.
With this walk you’ll enjoy stunning views over a changing landscape and see evidence of Dartmoor’s medieval and industrial past by walking along the granite tramway to Houndtor medieval village and returning to Haytor.
Although you can start this walk at any point along the Granite Tramway, to keep it fairly reasonable, park up at SX770778 and walk along the road towards Haytor Vale to pick up the Granite Tramway on your right. The Granite Tramway will take you towards the old quarry with fantastic views of Haytor on the left. Carry on towards Hound Tor crossing Becka Brook and passing the deserted medieval village close to Hound Tor. Return by heading toward Haytor Rocks and then back to where you parked. Allow at least 2 hours for this 5 mile walk. This walk can be extended to a longer one either by starting further down the Templer Way, or deviating to explore Jay’s Grave.
Parke at Bovey Tracey
If you’re after some easy circular walks then Parke on the outskirts of Bovey Tracey is the perfect spot. Parke is a National Trust country park and offers a range of walks varying from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Although free to simply walk through the estate’s gardens, there are suggested walking routes through the woodlands and along the riverside, all clearly marked.
Fingle Bridge
Fingle Bridge is about 10 miles from our Dartmoor holiday cottage and offers a beautiful circular walk along the River Teign.
To get to Fingle Bridge leave Lustleigh taking the A382 all the way to Sandy Park where you take the road on the right to Drewsteignton passing Castle Drogo. Once through Drewsteignton the right fork will take you to Fingle Bridge where you can park near the Fingle Bridge Inn, a lovely pub next to the river.
The 3 mile circular route starts on the other side of the stone bridge. Head up river along the path. After passing 2 wiers you will approach the end of the woods and a foot bridge to cross to the other side. This returning path is known as Hunters path and is harder going but it does take you back to the Ferry Bridge Inn.
Given the proximity to Castle Drogo, you could combine this walk with a visit to the last castle constructed in Britain.
Burrator Reservoir to Standing Stones
A short but tough walk which will reward you with an impressive bronze age stone circle with a 351m long stone row adjacent to it.
Drive to Burrator Reservoir and park at the Norsworthy Bridge car park. From the car park head east up hill to Down Tor (SX580694) keeping the river on the left. Once passed Down Tor you should see the Stone Circle (SX587693) further east on to the right.
Although the stone circle is just over a mile away from the car park the walk is pretty tough going because of the gradients and rocky ground. However, if you’re a keen strong walker this Dartmoor walk can be changed into a circular one by heading along the stone row to Nuns Cross Farm and then returning to Norsworthy car park by Crazywell Pool.
Tolmen Stone and Scorhill Stone Circle
Another short walk of about a mile which will take you to one Dartmoor’s most intact and finest stone circles. Along the way you’ll pass the Tolmen Stone which according to Dartmoor folklore cures aches and pains as well as increasing fertility – all you have to do is climb through it.
Take Manor road out of Chagford to Batworthy and park up. Walk south westerly following the line of trees on your right then turn sharp right heading North again following the tree line.
Cross the North Teign river over an ancient clapper bridge. The Tolmen Stone (SX655871) is further down river on your right. To get to the stone circle (SX654875) just continue further north. Although this is a short walk it places you in a great spot to explore Gidleigh Common
Now explore Dartmoor Adventure.
Useful links: Walking on Dartmoor and Letterboxing/Geocaching.
