Five Dartmoor walks I keep coming back to
Dartmoor’s got a way of getting under your skin. Even on the days when the sky’s low and the wind’s having a go, there’s something calming about it. A bit of perspective. A bit of peace. Over the years, I’ve found a handful of spots that I can’t help returning to again and again - walks that are close enough to do on a whim but rewarding enough to feel like you’ve really been somewhere.
These five are my favourites. Some short, some longer, but all worth lacing your boots for.
1) Foggintor Quarry
- Distance: 3.4km
- Time: ~1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
This is one of those walks that doesn’t take much effort but delivers way more than you’d expect. It starts with a gentle path that used to be an old granite tramway - now just a grassy track, half-sunk into the landscape. You follow it alongside a trickling stream, with sheep scattered on the hills and the sound of the moor carried on the wind.
Then, just as you start to wonder what the fuss is about, the path opens up into this incredible old quarry. Steep rock faces, water pooled in the hollow, and silence so thick it almost hums. You can clamber around the rocks if you’re feeling adventurous, or just sit for a while and take it all in. It's a short walk, but it stays with you.
2) Burrator Reservoir Loop
- Distance: 7.1km
- Time: ~2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
If Dartmoor had a greatest hits album, Burrator would be on it. This loop circles the whole reservoir, keeping you close to the water most of the way. The views are constant - calm reflections on a still day, or ripples chasing the wind when it’s a bit wilder.
The path weaves in and out of woodland, with bursts of open moor and the occasional moss-covered stone wall or fallen tree to clamber over. Birdsong follows you round, and depending on the time of year, you might catch bluebells, wild garlic, or golden leaves crunching underfoot.
It’s peaceful, accessible, and always worth the trip. I’ve done it solo, with mates, with my dog - each time it never disappoints.
3) Bonehill Rocks to Haytor Circular
- Distance: 10.5km
- Time: ~3 hours
- Difficulty: Moderately challenging
This one’s a bit of a journey. You start up at Bonehill Rocks, where the moor spreads out in every direction and the wind tends to meet you full-on. From there, you move through open moorland toward Hound Tor - its jagged outcrop standing like a spine against the skyline.
The trail dips into a patch of woodland that always catches me off guard - sheltered, damp, rich with ferns and twisting branches - before opening out again near Smallacombe Rocks. Eventually, you reach Haytor, probably Dartmoor’s most recognisable tor, with its sweeping views out toward the coast.
There’s a bit of everything here. Rocky paths, rolling grassland, shady sections, and plenty of viewpoints that make you stop and just breathe it all in. Go prepared for changes in weather and don’t be shy with your socks - dry feet make the difference.
4) Wistman’s Wood Circular
- Distance: 7.6km
- Time: ~2h 45m
- Difficulty: Moderately challenging
There’s a magic to Wistman’s Wood you can’t quite put your finger on. Maybe it’s the twisted oaks covered in thick moss, or the way the light filters through in dappled greens and golds. It feels ancient - like the sort of place where stories begin.
The walk itself takes you through the wide West Dart Valley, framed by the rocky tors of Longaford and Beardown. The route is wild in the best way. Streams to cross, boggy patches to dodge, and open stretches where you might not see another person for miles.
It’s not a fast walk, and that’s kind of the point. Take your time. Let your eyes adjust to the detail. Bring a flask and find a rock to sit on. If Dartmoor has a soul, it might be here.
5) Buckland Monachorum & River Walkham Circular
- Distance: 9km
- Time: ~2h 30m
- Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Tucked just outside the heart of the moor, this one feels a bit more secret. It starts in the village of Buckland Monachorum with its stone cottages and quiet lanes - before dropping down to the River Walkham.
The path winds alongside the river, through woodland that feels untouched. In spring, it’s full of birdsong and wildflowers. In autumn, the whole place turns gold and rust. You’ll cross old stone bridges, pass moss-covered boulders, and maybe catch glimpses of trout flickering beneath the surface.
It’s a quieter walk, less dramatic than the high tors, but no less beautiful. Perfect for a slower day, or when you’re in the mood for something a bit more tucked away.
These aren’t bucket-list hikes. They’re the kind of walks you do once and end up doing again and again. They don’t demand much - just decent footwear, a bit of time, and maybe a sandwich in your bag. But they give a lot back.
If you ever find yourself near Dartmoor with a free afternoon and a bit of curiosity, give one of these a go. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Here are some of my favourite photos taken around Dartmoor – not all from the walks above, but all from days spent out there:
