Dartmoor walks this way | Walks

"We'd like to see lots of tors and get a sense of all the variety of scenery on Dartmoor. We're staying in Torquay and have got half a day. What do you recommend"

Name: Tour of Tors

Distance: 18 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Features: Widecombe village, famous tors like Hound Tor & Hookner Tor, high moorland scenery, Grimspound prehistoric village

Summary

This tour starts near Haytor (the closest part of Dartmoor to Torquay) and does a big loop through some of Dartmoor's loveliest scenery.  We'll start by taking quiet back lanes down into the Widecombe valley and pass through the famous little village. From here we cycle along the West Webburn valley and then up the beautiful Challacombe valley, passing the prehistoric village of Grimspound and expanses of classic high moorland and tors.  At the top of the valley, we come over the top of the hill and look out for miles over North Devon.  We join the main road for a short stretch, then head south through farmland and forest, stopping to look at Jay's Grave and shortly afterwards the striking rocks of  Hound Tor.

If you have more than half a day, we can take some time to stop and visit sites along the way:  Grimspound hut circles and Challacombe Stone Row, Hound Tor Medieval Village, or Buckland Beacon, all of which are a short walk from the lanes we'll be cycling along.  A detour to a pub for lunch  is also possible if you book a whole day ride.