5 Dartmoor walks you can’t miss
Myths, Legends, Ponies and Folk-Law – intrigued? Then keep reading…
Dartmoor is 954 square kilometres of stunning National Park, unusual rugged terrain, lots of unanswered questions and some of the cleanest air in the country. Below you’ll find 5 of our must-visit spots to explore on foot!
WISTMAN’S WOOD
Wistman’s Wood is an intriguing patch of Dartmoor woodland, famed for its carpet of mosses and lichens that festoon the trees and the giant granite boulders. Not everything at Wistman’s Wood is giant though, the woodland is home to an unusual copse of dwarf oak trees – there are many theories on why the trees are dwarfed – ranging from witchcraft to the unique weather climate around them. One thing’s for sure though, Wistman’s Wood is eerily atmospheric and well worth a visit.
MELDON RESERVOIR
Arguably one of Dartmoor’s best kept secrets, Meldon Reservoir is nestled on the Northern edge of the National Park and is approximately 10 minutes from Westdown Farm by car. With miles of public footpaths and bridleways, you can lose hours of your day exploring and taking in breathtaking scenery. If you fancy a spot of wild swimming, a dip in the nearby river pools offer a refreshing way to cool down after a long day of exploring!
SCORHILL STONE CIRCLE, GIDLEIGH
Nestled a few miles outside of Chagford, Scorhill Stone Circle is another place steeped in history and mystery. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the circle is recognised as a scheduled monument and is described as Devon’s finest stone circle. When and how it appeared will always be a mystery. But one thing’s for sure, and that is that when you’re in the area you really must pay it a visit.
HOUND TOR AND THE DESERTED MEDIAEVAL VILLAGE
Owned by English heritage, the remains of this isolated settlement are located on the eastern edge of Dartmoor, between two granite masses, Hound Tor and Greater Rocks. The village, which was abandoned in the 1960s and consists of a cluster of traditional houses which were believed to date from the 13th century.
BRENTOR CHURCH
Unusually for a Tor, this one is not a mass of granite, but instead is formed from 350 million year old basaltic lava! But perhaps more unusual, this Tor has a church on top of it. It is rumoured that Brentor Church was built by a group of former Pagan Satan Worshipers who later found God and devoted the rest of their lives to building a church on the top of Brentor to be seen by people from miles around.