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Dartmoor

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description Dartmoor Overview

Dartmoor is an upland area in Devon, southwestern England, much of which has been protected as Dartmoor National Park since 1951. Its landscape is characterized by exposed granite tors, open moorland, river valleys, peat bogs, and archaeological remains including stone rows, circles, and prehistoric settlements. It is used by walkers, climbers, farmers, and free-ranging livestock, including the ponies associated with the moor.

help Dartmoor FAQ

Can people legally wild camp on Dartmoor?

Backpack camping is permitted only in mapped areas and under Dartmoor National Park's current agreement and code, not everywhere on the moor. Campers must use small tents, stay briefly, and avoid roads, settlements, farmland, archaeological sites, and other excluded land.

What is a Dartmoor tor?

A tor is an exposed outcrop of weathered granite rising above the surrounding moorland. Haytor, Hound Tor, and Great Mis Tor are well-known examples shaped by long periods of erosion.

Why is Dartmoor dangerous in poor weather?

Mist can erase landmarks quickly, while bogs, swollen streams, exposed high ground, and limited phone coverage complicate travel. Walkers should carry a map and compass rather than rely solely on a mobile navigation app.

What are the stone rows and hut circles found across Dartmoor?

Many are prehistoric remains dating from the Bronze Age, including settlements, ceremonial alignments, cairns, and burial features. Sites around Merrivale and Grimspound make Dartmoor one of Britain's richest archaeological upland landscapes.

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