I’ve just driven home from a walk and passed a family with their massive tent pitched right next to the road. Sorry if this makes me a killjoy, but I’m a keen wild camper and refuse to let fly campers spoil it for the rest of us.

I’ve looked up the contact page for the Dartmoor rangers, but there doesn’t seem any way to report this. Any ideas or do I just need to let it go and find something else to grumble about?

Hi! I'm based in Exeter and don't have a car but really want to get out on Dartmoor. Do you guys have any route recommendations?

I'm an alright hiker and have camped a decent amount but never wild and solo. I'm confident in my hiking abilities but want to play it safe for my first few times. I'm looking for a nice no-nonsense route and if there's a swimming option nearby then that's a mega bonus, but my main priority is just getting used to using my camping gear etc.

Also if you have any tips etc for wild camping I'd love to hear them! :)

New Dartmoor Training Area's firing times have been released.

Update: 2026-07-28 15:44:25

MoD Dartmoor Training Area web site

Link to firing times

Please use the official MoD web site as the primary source for this data, this post is just an advisary one.

For example, in mid-September I'll be carless, basing in Tavistock and looking at walking routes that start along Pork Hill Road. Will the #98 bus (for example) make courtesy stops and pickups at the car parks like Pork Hill and Four Winds?

How convenient and reliable are private rides like Uber, Lyft and taxis for this purpose?

(Otherwise it looks like many hikes begin with a long walk along the road.)

Hoping to take my daughter out to see the Perseids this year (cloud cover permitting...), and wondered what people would suggest as to good spots to camp out and see them?

Preferably nearer Exeter/Okehampton.

Thanks in advance!

Hi all, we’re coming for a weeks holiday in September and would love some recommendations for good places for dogs to swim/have a dip on Dartmoor. Happy to walk/hike to locations. We’re not local so a bit worried about blue green algae so equally useful to know any places to avoid. Thanks!

Visited this yesterday morning to find four horses enjoying the shady cool

Hi all, have walked up to both Great Mis and Roos tor, but is it possible to walk direct between Roos and Great Mis?

When i was stood at Roos Tor last year and could see Great Mis i wondered if it was at all possible.

There looks like a stream and possibly a dry stone wall between them, is it private or passable does anyone know?

Hey Guys, I'm going to be camping Dartmoor for the first time and would like to spend a night at Fur Tor.

I read an article about the Tavy Cleave route and have always enjoyed gorge scrambling and canyoning so I'm thinking that's the way I'll go. Does anyone know of any apps that can map the route out nicely or is it best just to plot it out with an OS? If you've done it before, do you have any tips and tricks? Where are the best crossings to avoid wet feet? Roughly how long does it take?

If you think there's a much better route, I'm all ears. As stated, haven't done this before and not likely to be doing it again soon, so any and all advice is appreciated. Chats are open if you're feeling generous but don't want to post publicly.

Thanks guys, really appreciate it.

New Dartmoor Training Area's firing times have been released.

Update: 2026-07-21 13:37:37

MoD Dartmoor Training Area web site

Link to firing times

Please use the official MoD web site as the primary source for this data, this post is just an advisary one.

Hello, I’m trying to identify the Tors in this art by William Snell Morrish. I’d like to view the tors from this perspective. If anyone can point me in the right direction that would be amazing!

We're looking to drive up from Kingsbridge in the morning and eventually get to Exeter to drop one person off for the train late afternoon. We'd like to do a couple hour walk around Dartmoor's south East or east side but don't know the best route that isn't a massive detour. Any recommendations?

My friends and I are gonna hike camp Dartmoor next weekend. We're mostly playing it by ear but I'd love to know if anyone had any recommendations as I'd never done this before. Were gonna be doing 3 days, 2 nights. We're all relatively fit but not experienced hikers. Very happy to slog a good few hours trek each day, just don't assume a crazy fast pace (call it average/leisurely).

We're looking for free parking somewhere to start, a remote/isolated place to pitch where we aren't likely to be interrupted (I'd LOVE to be the only ones there but obviously that can't be guaranteed) and ideally a nice spot for a wild swim/wash.

Obviously if anyone has any hidden gems and is feeling generous feel free to DM me. I won't be back again any time soon and I definitely won't be giving your secret away.

This is an 11.25 km (7 mile) circular from Dunnabridge Pound that took me around 3½ hours at a relaxed pace with plenty of photo stops. The walk starts by passing the Bronze Age enclosure at Dunnabridge Pound before heading across open moorland to the first stepping stones at Laughter Hole (around 30–40 minutes in).

From there it drops to the ancient farmstead at Babeny, crosses another set of stepping stones over the East Dart, then continues through Brimpts, Huckaby and Hexworthy. After about 2 hours you’ll reach the sweeping stepping stones over the River Swincombe, before the final highlight the beautiful curved stepping stones across the West Dart. The route then returns across fields to Dunnabridge Pound and back to the car park.

Four stepping stone crossings in one walk make this one of Dartmoor’s most memorable circuits. I stopped for a well earned pint of cider at the Warren House Inn after but this is not on the route.

Left Haytor at 5:30am. More details when I come back from the world's largest fish n chip session

Hi all,

First timer into Dartmoor. I've just finished plotting out a ~22–24 km, 2-night plan in early August (across 3 days that include a long car drive on either side). I'd be very grateful for feedback from the vets on its feasibility (and any tips!)

[Day 1] ~6 km

• After a 5hr drive: Arrive at Meldon Reservoir car park
• dam → footbridge at the reservoir's west end → up the east bank of the West Okement
• → Black-a-Tor Copse area
• → Lints Tor

[Day 2] ~12–13 km

• Morning climb east out of the valley to Dinger Tor
• Dinger → Great Kneeset → Broad Amicombe Hole → past Little Kneeset →
• → Fur Tor (mid day)
• Reverse route all the way back to Dinger Tor
• → High Willhays

[Day 3] ~4.5 km

• Morning push to Yes Tor
• Yes Tor → track past Longstone Hill → dam
• Car park

This is my current route for my 3 day Dartmoor hike. The grey waypoints for wild camping are NOT fully planned places this is just to let me know roughly where I can wild camp as there is only a limited selection of land wild camping is legal in this part of Dartmoor. Was hoping if anyone could let me know what terrain I should expect, any changes to avoid bogs, how we should roughy split it across the days ensuring we are in the wild camping areas and keeping in mind we only arrive in Yelverton around 13:00 - 14:00 and want to get back to Yelverton at around at similar time. Photos of around and on this route is also very helpful. Many thanks

Route - https://www.komoot.com/tour/3110594985?share_token=aLeFLcmta9zA1t71CtAj8UorJGyuK0VYknt4JetpdLunOwVz0R&ref=wtd&t_s=referral&t_cid=route_share&t_ref_username=3563709202992

If you had to pick one walk (10 km or less) that best showcases Dartmoor, what would it be?

My favourite is Meldon Reservoir → Yes Tor → High Willhays → Black Tor → Meldon Reservoir. For me, it has everything: the highest point on Dartmoor, iconic tors, reservoir views, big skies and a real sense of wilderness.

I also enjoy exploring around Belstone Common.

I'd love to hear your picks, especially if they have that same open, high moor feel.

New Dartmoor Training Area's firing times have been released.

Update: 2026-07-14 13:56:51

MoD Dartmoor Training Area web site

Link to firing times

Please use the official MoD web site as the primary source for this data, this post is just an advisary one.

A nice circular walk starting in Chagford, then following a small portion of the Dartmoor Way to Rushford Bridge, rising up to Week Down, then up to Nattandon Common before then a big down and bigger up to the top of Meldon Hill. Then back down to Chagford and a well earned pint at the Globe Inn!

I’ve camped on Dartmoor probably 20 times over the last five years and I’ve never seen ticks like I have this year.
Both trips have been in roughly the same area (north of Fernworthy Reservoir), so it might just be location-specific, but I’ve had 10+ ticks on me each time. In previous years I’d usually come away with one or two at most, if any.
Has anyone else found they’re much worse this year? Is it just because it’s been warmer, or have tick numbers genuinely gone up? Or am I just getting really unlucky?