The 5 best Dartmoor walks

No holiday in Devon is complete without at least one visit to Dartmoor National Park. This vast and stunning area is a nature lover’s paradise, with open moorlands, forests, rivers, rolling hills and ancient rock formations known as tors.

The best way to explore Dartmoor is on foot, but as the national park covers 368 square miles, it can be difficult for newcomers to know where to begin. This guide sets out the best Dartmoor walks that cover some of the most popular trails and landmarks, with details to help you decide if you have the time and fitness required to complete them.

After your walk on Dartmoor, you’ll want somewhere comfortable to relax and unwind. We have lots of self-catering cottages in the heart of Dartmoor and around the edges, so whether you want to throw yourself into the Dartmoor experience or be close to major roads so it’s easier to get around the rest of the national park, there’s sure to be a number of properties suitable for you. Browse our collection by clicking on the button below.

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• Wistman’s Wood
• Bellever Forest
• Haytor, Hound Tor and Widecombe
• Castle Drogo to Fingle Bridge
• Burrator Reservoir

Wistman’s Wood

Wistman’s Wood, in the centre of Dartmoor National Park, is like something from a fairytale, with a spooky atmosphere created by the lichens and mosses that cover the ancient, stunted oak trees and granite boulders. People are asked to walk around the wood, not through it, to protect the fragile habitat that makes this such a special place – but you can peer in. 

There’s a small car park opposite the Two Bridges Hotel, on the B3357. The way towards Wistman’s Wood is signposted. Follow the track leading north from the car park, go past a farmhouse, continue across the open moorland, with the Littaford Tors in the distance and the West Dart River to your left. After walking north for around 1 mile, which should take around half an hour, you’ll see the iconic site.

Bellever Forest

Bellever Forest, in the middle of Dartmoor, is one of the national park’s most beautiful spots. It’s a great place for a walk with the whole family – including your dog, who might enjoy a swim or just a drink in the East Dart River. The forest has two pay-and-display car parks, at Bellever Village and Postbridge Village (we recommend checking out Postbridge’s famous clapper bridge while you’re there). 

You could choose to take the circular Postbridge Trail, which has fantastic views across open moorland, and the chance to make a detour up to Bellever Tor. It takes 1.5 hours. Or you could choose the peaceful Bellever Trail, which takes you through the forest for roughly 90 minutes. Keep your eyes peeled for grazing Dartmoor ponies and maybe even deer. Both trails are waymarked. This route is one of the most beautiful Dartmoor walks.

Haytor, Hound Tor and Widecombe

This walk takes in some of Dartmoor’s best known features – iconic Haytor, which has 360-degree views from the top, Hound Tor, where local legends of ghostly hounds are said to have inspired The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Widecombe in the Moor, the village whose annual fair gave rise to the famous folk song Widecombe Fair and the characters of Uncle Tom Cobley and All. You should allow 5.5 hours to complete the walk. 

Starting from Haytor Visitor Centre, cross the road and follow a wide path north-west to Haytor Quarry. Continue heading north-west to Smallacombe Rocks, then follow the path downhill, trending left to an open grassy area, then into some woodland. Cross the clapper bridge and head uphill to reach the open moor at Greator Rocks. Go past the medieval village and up to Hound Tor. Head downhill and follow the road to Jay’s Grave. Join the path behind the grave heading west over a hill. 

Once on open moor, follow the track across the stream and then uphill in a north-westerly direction until you reach Hameldown Tor. Then head south along Two Moors Way towards Widecombe in the Moor. Follow the road east through Widecombe and uphill back onto the moor. Shortly before the top of the hill, take a track south-east from a parking area towards Top Tor. Head downhill to the road and follow it east to the car park below Saddle Tor. Follow the path uphill to Saddle Tor and ahead towards Haytor. Head downhill back to the car park. 

Castle Drogo to Fingle Bridge

This circular route, which takes around 2 hours, is one of the most popular Dartmoor walks. It starts at Castle Drogo, the last castle to be built in England (it was completed in 1930) and now a National Trust property. It follows the Two Moors Way past a tor with fantastic views, drops to one of the best pubs on Dartmoor, and returns alongside the River Teign.

Start in the forecourt of Castle Drogo, near Drewsteignton. Head up the drive, following Hunter’s Path signs. Walk down some steps, turn left at the bottom, and follow signs for Fingle Bridge. Head across Piddletown Common to Sharp Tor. Carry on through Hunting Gate and across Drewston Common. When the path meets the road, turn right and head downhill to Fingle Bridge. You may wish to stop for a drink at the picturesque country pub, the Fingle Bridge Inn.

Decide whether to cross the bridge or not – paths are next to the river on both banks. If you decide not to cross the river, follow the Fisherman’s Path west. If you cross the river, turn right, head through the meadow, cross a wooden bridge, and follow the Forester’s Track along the riverbank and through Whiddon Deer Park. Shortly after leaving the deer park, cross a small suspension bridge and join the Fisherman’s Path on the north bank of the river. Join a section of the Two Moors Way heading north towards Hunter’s Tor and back into the grounds of the castle.

Burrator Reservoir

Devon has relatively few lakes, so we’ve included Burrator Reservoir where, if you obtain a permit from South West Lakes Trust, you can go fishing for rainbow and brown trout. The tranquil water is surrounded by mixed woodland and a wealth of footpaths and bridleways. Many of these lead onto the moor, so it’s a good starting point for longer trips. 

The circular walk around the water is ideal for families, as it’s easy-going and flat. It takes 90 minutes to 2 hours to complete. You can park at various locations, including the Quarry car park, Norsworthy Bridge, and The Dam. For something even shorter, or extra, why not spend an hour taking the easy-access footpath around Burrator Arboretum, which has its own car park. It’s just short of a mile long. This route is one of the best Dartmoor walks due to its stunning scenery.

Stay with us on Dartmoor

The incredible landscape is enough reason alone to visit Dartmoor, but there’s more to the national park than its scenery and walking opportunities. Check out our guides to the top 12 things to do on Dartmoor and the 9 best pubs on Dartmoor to make the most of your trip. Whether you’re planning a solo adventure, couple’s retreat, family getaway, or a new challenge for your rambling club, we’ve got the holiday cottage for you. Click below to find a cottage where you can relax after your walk and start thinking about your next one.