Walking the Dartmoor Way : 109-mile hike around Dartmoor National Park

Description

Discover the Dartmoor Way, a 109-mile (175km) waymarked circuit that encircles the wild heart of southwest England’s largest national park. Skirting the lofty granite expanse of Dartmoor, this rewarding trail leads walkers through an ever-changing tapestry of open moorland, wooded gorges, Devon’s iconic tors, and picture-perfect villages. For added variety, the 23-mile (37km) High Moor Link offers a two-stage route across the moor’s untamed interior, making shorter loops or even a figure-of-eight journey possible.

Ideal for walkers seeking the wilder side of Devon, the Dartmoor Way is described in 10 flexible stages, with options to tackle the full circuit in a week or enjoy a more leisurely pace. Short, manageable climbs and descents feature throughout, making the route accessible to most walkers, while low-level detours are available for days when Dartmoor’s legendary mists descend.

Traverse celebrated landscapes including Haytor Rocks, the dramatic Teign Gorge and Castle Drogo, and the remote beauty of Princetown, famed for its imposing 19th-century prison and the semi-wild ponies that have become the symbol of the Dartmoor National Park.

The Dartmoor Way is perfect for spring or autumn walking, when mild weather and dazzling displays of wildflowers or rust-coloured foliage bring the moor to life. Wildlife abounds, from great spotted woodpeckers and dippers in the valley woodlands to roe, red, and fallow deer, and elusive otters now found on every Devon river.

The Dartmoor Way caters to every kind of walker, whether you’re embarking on the full loop in one go, breaking the journey into manageable sections, or creating your own adventure with the High Moor Link. For those on a one-week schedule, the Trek Planner helps you tailor the stages for longer days and mileage.

Each stage in the Cicerone guidebook features a comprehensive route information box, detailing start and finish points (with grid references), distances, estimated time (including stops), and options for accommodation and refreshments in characterful Dartmoor villages such as Ivybridge, Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Moretonhampstead, Chagford, Okehampton, Lydford, and Shaugh Bridge.

Navigate the Dartmoor Way with confidence using the included 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps and downloadable GPX tracks. Low-level alternatives are described for bad weather, ensuring safe passage even when the cloud is down.

Plan your Dartmoor Way adventure with confidence and immerse yourself in the untamed beauty, history, and wildlife of England’s most magnificent moorland, with the comprehensive guidance of the Cicerone guidebook.