Cicerone Walking on Dartmoor

Cicerone - Walking on Dartmoor

A guidebook to 39 day walks and one two-day Ten Tors challenge across the Dartmoor National Park and its surrounding area. The guide contains low-level shorter walks and higher level more strenuous and challenging routes, therefore there's a walk suitable for all abilities, allowing you to explore all of what Devon's national park has to offer. Each walk contains a detailed route description, 1:50,000 OS maps and colour photography, alongside practical information on public transport links and refreshment stops on each walk. Dartmoor, a National Park since 1951, is wild, and at times isolated. Its a land of blanket bogs and grass moors dotted with fascinating tors, old stone clapper bridges, tree-shaded river valleys and a diverse range of wildlife. Our ancestors have left behind a fascinating treasure trove from intriguing stone rows to fascinating stones circles and burial cairns to hut circles. There are also the stark ruins of Dartmoor's mining heritage, picturesque villages and hamlets that are home to interesting old churches and cosy pubs. You'll be able to stand on High Willhays which, at 621m (2039 ft), is not only a mountain, but also the highest point in Southern England. On a clear day from many of Dartmoor's summits there are great views out over Devon's rural landscape and west into Cornwall to Bodmin Moor.

Seasons
Can be undertaken year round, however, the seasons bring with them different expectations. From October to the end of March is generally the wettest period, with lower temperatures and occasionally snow, especially high up. April through to the end of September is typically the driest and warmest period, however, the weather in Dartmoor can be very unpredictable, so always be prepared.

Centres
Okehampton, Princetown, Postbridge, Moretonhampstead, Widecombe in the Moor.

Difficulty
The low-level shorter walks should be fine for all walkers. The higher-level routes are usually longer and more strenuous, paths can be less defined and include sections of wet/boggy ground; navigating in mist/low cloud over high open moor can be challenging and some of these routes also involve river crossings without bridges or using stepping stones - so care is required.

Must See
Exploring granite tors, ancient sites, High Willhays - highest top in Dartmoor and Southern England - Yes Tor, Oke Tor, Steeperton Tor, Great Mis Tor, remote Fur Tor, Great Links Tor, Beardown Tors, Hound Tor, Bowerman's Nose, Tavy Cleave, Merrivale stone rows, Drizzlecombe stone row, The Grey Whethers stone circles, Scorhill stone circle.