During October 2020 my brother Ken and I completed a three day hike with two nights wild camping on Dartmoor. A route that took in Tors, rivers, bogs and a pub!
https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/6985576/Day-1-Dartmoor-October-2020-Wild-Camp
We drove down to Belstone, a small village just off the A38 on the edge of Dartmoor which is picture postcard with a cafe and pub on the green. Arriving at about 3:30pm we parked on the edge of the village in a purpose built car park and then made our way through the village and up onto the moor. Following a track to begin with and then venturing off to the left to head towards the River Taw. We couldn’t seem to cross where the map indicated and so followed it down for a few 100 meters until finally deciding to roll up the trousers, boots off and wade across at a shallow point.
From there we skirted Taw Marsh and made our way up Metheral Hill and then across to Hound Tor for our first nights camp. There were no obviously paths and the going was quite tough across rough moorland and we arrived at about 5:30pm giving us about an hour of light to set up camp and get dinner on the go.
Day two started cold and misty and after some porridge and a brew we headed off across the moors to get to our lunchtime destination, the Warren House Inn where we intended on having a big Sunday lunch and some beer!
https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/6985810/Day-2-Dartmoor-October-2020
We followed a route passing just below Wild Tor and onto Waters Tor still buried in the morning mist.
From there we worked our way down to the North Teign River, (I would advise staying up high until the last moment as it gets very boggy down by the river) across a footbridge and into Fernworthy Forest, past the reservoir and out the other side following clear paths across to the Warren House Inn where we had an excellent lunch with pudding and a couple of beers.
We were a bit later than originally intended and so took the direct route to Postbridge by walking straight down then road. Turned right just past the pub and followed the East Dart river paths which in the main were non existent and very boggy! The waterfall was a beautiful spot where we stopped for a short while before moving on to try and find a suitable spot to camp for the night.
The afternoon wore on and we were just starting to get concerned as to whether we would find a flat dry spot to camp before dark and we came across such a perfect spot. Just enough flat ground on nice spongy grass right by the river and sheltered from the wind. We set up camp and cooked dinner. One ritual we have is to always have booze and cheese after dinner and tonight was no exception with some Stilton washed down with single malt whisky!
Day 3 started as usual with porridge and a brew before breaking camp, carefully crossing the river. We had decided to try and navigate our way back just using a map and compass, taking bearings, measuring distance and using altitude to assist with our location. Pleased to say that we made it all the way back to the car without once checking our location using GPS!
https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/6986067/Day-3-Dartmoor-October-2020
We took a direct route across very rough moorland to the top of Winney’s Down following the Peat Pass, a route cut into the moor by Frank Phillpotts to make it easier for people to get onto the moor for hunting, and the cattlemen during the 19th century.
From Winney’s Down we took a bearing for Quinton’s Man Cairn and quickly picked up the markers for the edge of the firing range. From here the path was clear and easy taking us directly to Quinton’s Man Cairn onto Whitehorse Hill following another short section of the Peat Pass and then onto Hangingstone Hill. A quick bearing to ensure we took the right path across the moor down to the disused knack mine on what was quickly becoming a misty late morning.
Crossing the river at the ford we worked our way up out of the gorge and to Oke Tor where we started to see people again as we got close to a bit of civilisation again. Another quick bearing to ensure we followed the right path out past Winter Tor and finally back into Belstone. Three amazing days and two great nights wild camping on the moors and even better, the weather was kind and the food amazing. Can’t wait to go back and make it into a three night trip.
Hiking & Wild Camping 