You’ll read it and hear it over and over again; do not walk Dartmoor without a proper map. With that in mind my first few walks were along well-defined tracks in a straight line. There and back. My reason for a lack of map was simple, I wasn’t planning on visiting Dartmoor or indeed living in …
Huntingdon Warren Clapper Bridge – Dartmoor Walks Read More »
I had read about another magnificent stone row in the Sheepstor area of Dartmoor and planned a circular walk to explore. I parked at the foot of Gutter Tor, you will see the car-park marked on the OS Map, by the old scout hut nestling in some trees. The car park does get busy as …
Sheepstor Ditsworthy Warren – Dartmoor Circular Walk Read More »
I wanted to walk a short distance but take in a spectacular view of Dartmoor from a tor. I had driven from Postbridge to Moretonhampstead before and knew of lanes that turned south towards Widecombe-in-the-Moor. With the sun low in the sky as it was late afternoon in August I set off to find a …
I’ve never been to Stonehenge, I have driven the A303 a multitude of times on trips to the West Country. My reason for never visiting is the location. A busy noisy holiday traffic route only a short distance away, fences keeping people from doing harm to the stones. Coach loads of people arriving by the …
My quest to hike Dartmoor and discover its less than hidden prehistoric past was going well. A scan of my OS Explorer Map and the internet revealed a beautiful stone row and circle not far from Burrator Reservoir, a location I knew well. Down Tor Dartmoor I parked at the eastern edge of Burrator Reservoir, …
You may have noticed a change in scenery if you follow me on various social media platforms, yes myself and my Border Collie ‘Dave’ have moved for a while to Devon. Now to me Devon means three things, Dartmoor, coast and cream teas. So far I have indulged quite well in two out of three. …
As I walk more and more of Dartmoor National Park in Devon, my curiosity, my sense of adventure draws me deeper into the vast expanse. It is so easy in fact to get off the beaten track that you are spoilt for choice. On a previous walk I had looked with envy as a lone …
Dartmoor in Devon has several large areas of forest and one location that caught my attention was Wistman’s Wood, one of only three remote high-altitude oakwoods. A friend had read about the wood and suggested a walk. I’m not one to turn down a hike to a quirky location, that’s for certain. Two Bridges to …
Large red words on the OS Map spell out a warning to hikers and tourists alike: Danger Area restricted access. I had this notion that the northern landscape of Dartmoor was a fenced off landscape, uninviting to hikers. Littered with UXBs and danger! I was of course very wrong and my hike to Yes Tor, …
Continuing my gentle introduction to Dartmoor I took a trip to Burrator Dam and Reservoir near Yelverton, Devon. The weatherman promised sunshine and that’s what I was greeted with as I parked for free at the side of the road, near the dam itself. Having lived near the South Downs in Sussex for several years …
This is a basic list of what you should have/wear when hiking. The list will evolve! A plan. Check how much daylight you will have, your route, your fitness, are the MOD firing ranges closed to the public, check the weather forecast but the weather can be VERY wet and VERY VERY windy on Dartmoor. …
Ever since I first visited Dartmoor on my motorbike, back in 1990 I was always fascinated by the tall TV transmitter visible for miles and miles around. For the residents of Princetown this monument to modern communication has stood looming over the town since the mast and TV transmitter station came into operation on 7 …
Autumn on Dartmoor brings a noticeable change in the weather. Waterproof coats are essential kit and as I discovered on this walk protection from hail is also needed! I had hiked this route before but as with any natural landscape every minute of every day is different. The colour tones of the ground, the angle …
Dartmoor’s weather can be something of a mystery, promising brooding clouds but delivering piercing sunbeams. The moorland landscape delivers the same pictorial promises; mist hidden crosses and tors rising high above brightly illuminated pasture. Dartmoor Inn – Widgery Cross For this mid winter walk I parked just off the main A386 road near the village of …
Did your new year dawn with a fantastic list of New Year resolutions? As 2016 began here in Plymouth Devon I made my usual list of resolutions Eat healthily in conjunction with slightly less delicious chocolate Hike more miles in new places Hike old places to see the new changes Set myself a challenge to …