Dartmoor
Dartmoor: Tors, Wilderness, and Ancient Stones
Dartmoor remains southern Britain’s last great wilderness—a landscape of ‘clatters’ and ‘cleaves’ where over 160 granite tors stand as silent witnesses to thousands of years of history. From the sheltered valleys of the Dart to the windswept heights of the High Moor, these walks explore a rugged, prehistoric heartland. Navigating past Bronze Age stone rows and medieval ruins, these routes offer a sense of solitude and wildness defined entirely by the elements.
The Granite Tors of Dartmoor
Dartmoor’s most distinctive landmarks are its tors — stacks of weathered granite that crown many of the moor’s highest hills. These dramatic formations rise above sweeping moorland plateaus and provide some of the finest viewpoints in southern England.
Many of the classic Dartmoor walks lead across these high ridges where the weather, light and vast horizons combine to create a sense of true wilderness. One fine example is the walk across Hamel Down above Widecombe, where the moorland opens into vast views across the heart of Dartmoor.
Dartmoor’s Hidden River Valleys
Beyond the open moorland lie deep wooded valleys carved by rivers such as the Dart, Teign and Tavy. These sheltered landscapes offer a completely different walking experience, with ancient oak woodland, tumbling streams and quiet paths that wind through some of the most beautiful scenery on the moor.
Prehistoric Dartmoor
Dartmoor contains one of the richest prehistoric landscapes in Britain. Stone rows, burial cairns and hut circles are scattered across the moor, revealing evidence of human settlement stretching back thousands of years.
Walking across the high moor often feels like travelling through a landscape shaped as much by ancient history as by natural forces.
A Landscape of Myth and Legend
Dartmoor’s lonely tors, sudden mists and sweeping moorland horizons have inspired folklore for centuries. The atmosphere of the moor — at times beautiful, at times austere — gives it a character unlike anywhere else in England.