Would you like to explore the best of Ivybridge and Princetown? This guidebook covers 15 of Dartmoor's best short walks including Cox Tor, Great Staple Tor, Merrivale, Drizzlecombe, Ditsworthy, Sheepstor and Wistman's Wood.

Why choose this guidebook?

• Walks under three hours, plus one challenge route
• Easy to follow with clear route descriptions
• Facilities, parking and highlights for every route
• No specialist gear needed, walk all year round
• Ordnance Survey mapping

Cicerone’s Short Walks guidebooks contain everything you need to get outdoors and discover the best of an area. The routes are perfect if you’re new to walking or looking for something you can enjoy with the whole family. Let the adventures begin!

Using this guide

Route summary table

Map key

Introduction

Walking in South Dartmoor

Where to stay

Travel

The walks

Walk 1 Double Waters

Walk 2 Great Staple Tor and Windy Post Cross

Walk 3 Four Winds

Walk 4 Princetown and King’s Tor

Walk 5 Princetown and Nun’s Cross

Walk 6 Crockern Tor and Wistman’s Wood

Walk 7 Devonport Leat and Crazy Well Pool

Walk 8 Meavy and Sheepstor

Walk 9 Ditsworthy and Drizzlecombe

Walk 10 Ivybridge and Henlake Down

Walk 11 Butterdon Hill and Western Beacon

Walk 12 South Brent and Shipley Bridge

Walk 13 Dartmeet tors

Walk 14 Holne and Leigh Tor

Walk 15 Ten Commandments Stone

Useful information

Seasons

The walks can be undertaken year-round; however, the seasons bring with them different expectations. From October to the end of March is generally the wettest period, with occasionally snow and frost, especially high up. April through to the end of September is typically the driest and warmest period; however, the weather can be unpredictable, so always be prepared. Many parts of Dartmoor are wet underfoot.

Centres

Within the National Park: Ashburton, Buckfastleigh, Horrabridge, Princetown and Yelverton Outside the National Park: Ivybridge, Newton Abbot, Plymouth and Tavistock

Difficulty

The walks have been chosen so that they are relatively easy to undertake and follow tracks and paths that are reasonably well signposted and cared for. However, paths can become muddy/slippery after wet weather, and the walks are hilly and involve a reasonable amount of ascent and descent. The weather can be unpredictable, especially on the high moor. Mist and low cloud can make navigation difficult at times.

Must See

The craggy tors of Great Mis Tor, Cox Tor and Great Staple Tor; the fascinating ancient relics at Merrivale and Drizzlecombe; the rare temperate rainforest of Wistman’s Wood; the Ten Commandments Stone on Buckland Beacon; views of the infamous Foxtor Mires; medieval wayside crosses; abandoned quarries of Foggintor and Swelltor; picturesque villages such as Meavy and Holne

October 2024

Walk 2

Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.