Sweeping moorland and river gorges — the Dartmoor Way
Hiking Collection by Kit P
12
Tours
63:32 h
141 mi
15,375 ft
The Dartmoor Way hiking route leads you from village to valley and from granite tor to turreted castle. It’s now 108 miles (174 km) in total, after some rerouting and trail improvements undertaken by several organisations working in partnership, and better takes in the marvels that this national park has to offer.
While Dartmoor has great swathes of high, open moorland, the main route encircles the national park, allowing some protection from the elements and easy access to villages and towns. This means you’ll enjoy some of the park’s most jaw-dropping scenery, from its stunning river valleys and ancient stone bridges to its viaducts, market squares and breathtaking granite tors.
If you want to experience the true wilderness of the moorland, you can complete the High Moor Link, a two-stage adventure right across the centre. This was created to enable hikers to have more flexibility when choosing their route, allowing for figure-of-eights or semi-circles.
I’ve written this Collection to focus on the main, circular route but I’ve included the High Moor Link Tours, should you want to add that incredible section. I’ve split it into 10 stages, which is usual for this expedition and makes the often undulating Tours manageable for most abilities. Experienced long-distance hikers can easily join stages together.
Most of the stages start and end in a settlement with some accommodation options and places to eat or buy food. Wild camping is legal on parts of Dartmoor and is certainly a wonderful experience. You must ensure you check the official wild camping map when planning your camps and to follow the ‘leave no trace’ principle: dartmoor.gov.uk/about-us/about-us-maps/new-camping-map
The Dartmoor Way begins in Ivybridge, largely because it’s well-served by a mainline train station. This little town also has local supermarkets, pubs and accommodation so it’s ideal for stocking up.
Whilst the South West can see warmer temperatures than the rest of the UK, Dartmoor has its own climate and can experience extremely changeable weather throughout the year. In winter, snowfall is not uncommon on the moor whilst fog, rain and wind can rock up with little warning. As a result, I highly recommend being prepared for a variety of conditions.
On The Map
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Last updated: November 15, 2021
Tours & Highlights
- Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Intermediate04:5610.5 mi2.1 mph1,725 ft1,225 ft
Stage 1 of the Dartmoor Way takes you immediately up to the moor, just to give you an initial taste of what this national park is named for. At 10 miles (16 km) long and with around 1,500 feet (460 m) of ascent and descent, you’ll get to enjoy sweeping moorland views as well as taking in some villages…
by Kit P
- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Difficult05:2512.0 mi2.2 mph1,100 ft1,575 ft
This 12-mile (19 km) Tour takes in some of Dartmoor’s multiple personalities. It starts at Shipley Bridge and follows the River Avon up to the Avon Dam. The route is highest just past the dam and then it’s downhill before staying largely flat for the remainder, allowing you to enjoy a relatively easy…
by Kit P
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- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Difficult05:3612.3 mi2.2 mph1,475 ft1,625 ft
This 12-mile (19 km) hike takes in one of Dartmoor’s most famous sights, some pretty, rambling lanes and fantastic viewpoints. The Tour is a triangle of elevation with the first half taking you steadily uphill, the reward for which is Haytor’s jaw-dropping granite boulders, and then winding down into…
by Kit P
- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Difficult05:0411.3 mi2.2 mph1,325 ft750 ft
Starting in the lovely town of Bovey Tracey and winding through a National Trust estate to begin, this 10 mile (16 km) hike meanders around the River Bovey through woodlands, across fields and past gorgeous old villages. It’s an undulating route with a big hill to conquer around halfway. Once you’ve…
by Kit P
- Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Intermediate04:119.03 mi2.2 mph1,175 ft1,200 ft
This 9-mile (14 km) Tour takes in one of Dartmoor’s most dramatic river valleys where the Teign cuts through glorious woodlands below Castle Drogo. With a little over 1,200 feet (366 m) of ascent and descent, this hike has a few steep descents and ascents but the scenery more than makes up for any breathlessness…
by Kit P
- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Difficult05:3812.6 mi2.2 mph1,225 ft1,325 ft
One of the longer days on the Dartmoor Way at 13 miles (21 km), this hike has around 1,500 feet (460 m) of ascent and descent. You’ll skirt the open moorland for much of it, enjoying woodlands, fields and river crossings before getting onto the moor at Belstone and enjoying some exceptional views.
The…
by Kit P
- Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Intermediate04:249.93 mi2.3 mph950 ft750 ft
At around 10 miles long (16 km), this hike leaves Okehampton and wanders about Dartmoor’s wild and rugged north-western edge before meandering off through fields and into the pretty little village of Lydford. The elevation gain isn’t considerable and the climb up from stunning Meldon Viaduct presents…
by Kit P
- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Difficult06:5115.3 mi2.2 mph1,475 ft1,875 ft
One of the longest stages on the Dartmoor Way, this 15-mile (24 km) hike brings you up onto the edge of the wild moorland, round the undulating tors and down into the old market town of Tavistock. There are around 1,500 feet (460 m) of elevation and a little more in the way of descent. Due to the landscape…
by Kit P
- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Difficult05:3412.4 mi2.2 mph1,225 ft1,075 ft
This 12-mile (19 km) Tour has got a little bit of everything. From riverside trails to villages, hills and some moorland views, you’ll get a glimpse of plenty of Dartmoor landscapes. This stage of the Dartmoor Way is undulating, with nothing particularly challenging.
You’ll start in the market town of…
by Kit P
- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Difficult05:1712.0 mi2.3 mph1,100 ft1,175 ft
This 12-mile (19 km) hike is the final stage of the Dartmoor Way and leads from the village of Shaugh Prior, over the southwestern edge of the moor, to Ivybridge in the south. This trail does take you fairly high on the moor but it’s a gradual ascent and the last half is largely a gentle downhill.
The…
by Kit P
- Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Intermediate04:5910.8 mi2.2 mph1,800 ft875 ft
The Dartmoor Way has become a very flexible hike thanks to its two-stage High Moor Link route. This Tour is the first stage if you’re hiking east to west and sits at 11 miles (18 km). You’ll see plenty of Dartmoor’s personalities on this trail, from the River Dart and gorgeous woodlands to the grassy…
by Kit P
- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Difficult05:3712.7 mi2.3 mph825 ft1,600 ft
12 miles (19 km) of pure, unadulterated moorland, this new stage of the Dartmoor Way provides sweeping views of this breathtaking national park and takes you through its very heart. You’ll spot Dartmoor ponies, granite tors and all manner of ancient remnants on your hike. As you’ll be starting high…
by Kit P
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Collection Stats
- Tours12
- Distance141 mi
- Duration63:32 h
- Elevation15,375 ft
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