Walking the Dartmoor Way Cicerone Guidebook

author: Sue Viccars
The Dartmoor Way is a 109-mile circular trail around the edge of southwest England's largest national park and largest granite moorland. From open moorland, wooded gorges and Devon's distinctive tors to picturesque villages and farmland, the fully waymarked route offers a taste of the county's wilder landscapes without venturing far from civilisation. The guidebook describes the main circular route skirting Dartmoor, plus the 23-mile High Moors Link.

The trail is ideal for spring and autumn walking, when mild weather provides good conditions, and wild-flowers or the rusty colours of foliage are at their best. Short climbs and descents occur on many stages, but the route is suitable for most regular walkers. Highlights include Haytor Rocks, the Teign Gorge, and Castle Drogo. The route is described in 10 stages, which can be adjusted to give a one-week or more leisurely schedule.

There are clear instructions supported by Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 scale mapping showing the route highlighted. The book is packed with notes on where to eat and stay, getting around, and local history, ecology, and geology. together with numerous colour photographs. This information is contained in separate panels to easily distinguish it from route finding instructions. A route summary table is provided to help with planning. This comprehensive guide is an indispensable planning aid and companion to the walk.

The sections are:
Stage 1 Ivybridge to Shipley Bridge - 10 miles
Stage 2 Shipley Bridge to Ashburton - 10.5 miles
Stage 3 Ashburton to Bovey Tracey - 12.25 miles
Stage 4 Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead - 10.5 miles
Stage 5 Moretonhampstead to Chagford - 8 miles
Stage 6 Chagford to Okehampton - 12.25 miles
Stage 7 Okehampton to Lydford - 9.25 miles
Stage 8 Lydford to Tavistock - 12.75 miles
Stage 9 Tavistock to Shaugh Bridge - 11.75 miles
Stage 10 Shaugh Bridge to Ivybridge - 12 miles
High Moor Link 1 Buckfastleigh to Hexworthy - 10.5 miles
High Moor Link 2 Hexworthy to Tavistock - 12.75 miles

ISBN 9781786311153 Pages 195 (2023) 118mm x 172mm