Dartmoor Wild Camp & Swimming Loop: King’s Tor, Swelltor & Crazywell

A classic 2-day Dartmoor microadventure packed with legal wild camping, granite tors, Bronze Age history, and wild swimming (dipping). Starting from the roadside laybys past Princetown toward Tavistock, this 14-mile loop links King's Tor, Swelltor Quarry, and the ancient Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement.

Route Highlights & Dog-Friendly Logistics:

* Dog-Friendly Gate Access: Stile-free terrain and flat rail-bed tracks; no technical scrambling required for active trail dogs like Poppy.

* Livestock & Pony Warning: Open moorland with free-roaming Dartmoor ponies, cattle, and sheep. Keep dogs under effective control or on a short lead near livestock and steep quarry drop-offs.

* Wild Swimming Dips: Dual swimming spots at Foggintor Quarry (shallow rock shelves—Crocs/water shoes recommended) and Crazywell Pool (deep moorland water).

* Water Filtration Strategy: Open surface streams near King’s Tor and Swelltor require filtration (Sawyer Squeeze recommended) due to peat runoff and upstream livestock grazing.

* Dog-Friendly Pub Stop: Refill freshwater and grab a pint at The Plume of Feathers in Princetown.

Tour Metrics:
* Distance: c. 14 miles (22.5 km) loop
* Elevation Gain: ~380 m
* Terrain: Grassy moorland paths, disused gravel rail beds, and granite rock
* Wild Pitching: Permitted within official Dartmoor National Park backpack camping zones

Looking for exact parking coordinates, late-night arrival pitching strategies, and our full gear checklist? Read the complete expedition log at traildog.online: