The Dartmoor Way

Walking Route:  “The Walking Way”

 

Distance: 108 miles (173 km) circular route around Dartmoor.

Transport access: There are main line railway stations at Ivybridge which is on the route and Newton Abbot which has bus connections for Bovey Tracey.

What to expect:

• The route uses quiet footpaths, bridleways, and little-used byways.
• It is designed to link many of the attractive towns, villages and hamlets on the edge of Dartmoor, providing good opportunities for food, accommodation, rest or onward travel no matter where you start/finish.
• Landscapes vary widely: wooded valleys, ancient drove-roads and bridleways, streams and rivers flowing off the moor, open moorland, and village/town fringes.
• You can choose to do the full circuit (a long-distance walking challenge), or break it into smaller segments or day-walks. 

Route structure:

• The walking route is split into 10 main sections, with a further 2 sections forming the “High Moor Link.”
• The “High Moor Link” crosses the moor from Tavistock to Buckfast enabling either a full circular walk, or two smaller loops (north or south), or a “figure-of-eight” option. 

When to walk:

• The route is accessible all year round; each season offers different scenic experiences, from spring’s freshness through summer’s greenery, autumn colours, to the stark beauty of winter. 

Access & amenities:

• Because the route connects towns and villages around the Moor’s edge, walkers have flexibility for transport, accommodation, food, or rest, which makes planning easier.
• GPX data, downloadable maps, OS-map segments and route descriptions are provided for all walking-route sections on the official Dartmoor Way site.

Cycling route: The Dartmoor Way is supported by a friendly walking community, including local walkers and Ramblers members. Volunteers help maintain and waymark the route, ensuring it’s safe and enjoyable for everyone exploring Dartmoor on foot.

 

Our Walking Community

The Dartmoor Way is supported by a friendly and welcoming walking community, including local walkers, Ramblers members, volunteers, and visitors who share a love for Dartmoor’s landscapes. From short village walks to the full 108-mile circuit, our community enjoys exploring the Moor together.

Volunteers play a key role in maintaining and waymarking the route, working alongside the Dartmoor Way CIO, landowners, and the Dartmoor National Park Authority. Everyone is welcome to join walks, help out on the route, or simply enjoy the beauty and variety of Dartmoor on foot.

 

Key Resources:

• Video: Introduction to the Dartmoor Way
• Video: A Day on the Dartmoor Way
• PDF File: Map of the Dartmoor Way
• General enquiries: info@dartmoorway.co.uk