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Abtot Logo. Encounter Walking Holidays member number 5357

Itinerary

Section 1a

The official start of the Dartmoor Way starts by the bridge that gave the town its’ name

Ivybridge to South Brent

Section 1b

The Dartmoor Way doesn't pass through it, but South Brent is a nice diversion of 1/2 mile

South Brent to Buckfastleigh

Section 2

The Dartmoor Way leaves Buckfastleigh via an ancient 200 step stone stairway.

Buckfastleigh to Bovey Tracey

Section 3

The Dartmoor Way follows the river valley boundary of the Parke estate

Bovey Tracey to Chagford

Section 4

Today you reach the higher moors. Options to visit Tors and Stone Circles above Belstone.

Chagford to Okehampton

Section 5

Leave Okehampton via the Old Town Nature reserve – look out for the leaping Salmon

Okehampton to Mary Tavy

Section 6

Continue your trek down the eastern edge of the moor this morning

Mary Tavy to Tavistock

Section 7

The Dartmoor Way snakes out of Tavistock alongside the River Tavy

Tavistock to Shaugh Prior

Section 8

Today you hit the Southern Moors and wander through the China Clay Fields

Shaugh Bridge to Ivybridge

High Moor Alternative

From Tavistock you now climb to the highest moorland village at Princetown

Tavistock/Mary Tavy to Princetown

High Moor Alternative 2

Cross three of the River Darts deep valleys, with Tors to climb in between .

Princetown to Buckfastleigh

Ancient stone circle on Dartmoor

There is something very satisfying about walking a circle and returning to the start, back at the beginning and yet subtly changed. The Dartmoor Way feels like all of England distilled into a week’s walking with deep gorges, sparkling rivers and colourful woodland, and always with spiritual Dartmoor at its heart.

Ellie - Walking Co-ordinator at Encounter

The Dartmoor Way

The Dartmoor Way

Overview

Interactive Map

Pricing On This Route

A single walker staying in single or single occupancy en-suite rooms can expect to pay somewhere between £150 and £180 per night, including luggage transfers.

Two people sharing a double or twin en-suite room can expect to pay somewhere between £100 and £130 per person per night,  inclusive of luggage transfers.

Please be aware that these prices depend on accommodation chosen, time of year, etc. and are indicative only, based on customers walking with us between 2021 and 2023. For accurate pricing please request a quote.

Our prices include -

  • - Your choices of good quality en-suite B&B, Inn and small hotel accommodation with full breakfast (where available), together with upgrade options.

  • - Detailed walking route planning and ongoing support from specialist walking advisors from your enquiry through to the end of the walk

  • - A full booking administration and holiday management service including information on travel to and from your walking routes

  • - Secure and reliable daily luggage transfers between accommodations

  • - The best available maps & guidebooks along with your own personal detailed route notes & itinerary posted to you whether you are based in the UK or overseas

Please see below for six factors which affect your quoted price - 

1 - The time of year you are walking -  The low season (outside of May to September) is generally cheaper than the peak months.

2 - How early you book. Cheaper accommodation tends to book out first so to get the best prices and choice of accommodation we recommend you book as early as you can. Bookings open for the season the previous summer.

3 - Which routes and areas you choose - Cornwall, South Devon and Dorset are the more expensive regions while Wales, Somerset, North Devon and Dartmoor tend to offer better prices. We also often run seasonal special offers on certain routes so ask if these would be of interest.

4 - Type of accommodation  -  You can choose to upgrade to luxury hotels or downgrade to basic B&B's and we will try to match your walk to your budget. Quotes will show standard options and the costs for any upgrades so you can pick and choose to suit your plans.

5 - The number of walkers - rates are generally based on 2 walkers -  the more walkers the cheaper prices get as we split the costs of providing the walk between the group.

6 - Luggage Transfers - our quotes include two prices - with and without luggage transfers so if you want to keep the costs down you can choose to carry your own luggage to avoid those charges.

If you want to try to get the lowest prices let us know your budget - we can advise honestly and openly what is possible - we don't want to see anyone unable to walk the routes due to costs.

 

To request a quote costs nothing and there is no commitment to book - so do try us! We usually have quotes emailed back to you within a few days and these documents are very detailed with accommodation choices, website links to the accommodations, route descriptions, daily walking grade and mileage, travel info to the trail and of course a guaranteed price to consider.  All for the specific walk YOU want.

Relaxed Route
Daily average 9.5 miles
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
High Moorland Alternative to Buckfastleigh via Princetown
Day 10a
Day 11a
Day 12a
Ivybridge to South Brent
South Brent to Buckfastleigh
Buckfastleigh to Haytor
Haytor to Bovey Tracey
Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead
Moretonhampstead to Chagford
Chagford to Okehampton
Okehampton to Lydford
Lydford to Tavistock
Tavistock to Yelverton
Yelverton to Wotter
Wotter to Ivybridge
Tavistock to Princetown
Princetown to Scorriton
Scorriton to Buckfastleigh
7 miles
9.4 miles
11.9 miles
5 miles
10.6 miles
8 miles
12.3 miles
9.7 miles
12.7 miles
7.6 miles
7.2 miles
12 miles
4.5 miles
10.5 miles
8.6 miles
Standard Route
Day 1
Ivybridge to South Brent
South Brent to Ashburton
Ashburton to Bovey Tracey
Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead
Moretonhampstead to South Zeal
South Zeal to Lydford
Lydford to Tavistock
Daily average 12.2 miles
12 miles
7 miles
13.9 miles
12.4 miles
10.6 miles
14.2 miles
15.7 miles
12.7 miles
Shaugh Bridge to Ivybridge
Day 8a
Tavistock to Princetown
Princetown to Buckfastleigh
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
12 miles
8.6 miles
15 miles
Day 9
Tavistock to Shaugh Bridge
High Moorland Alternative to Buckfastleigh via Princetown
Day 9a
Fast Route
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
High Moorland Alternative to Buckfastleigh via Princetown
Daily average 9.5 miles
Ivybridge to Buckfastleigh
Buckfastleigh to Bovey Tracey
Bovey Tracey to Chagford
Chagford to Okehampton
Okehampton to Mary Tavy
Mary Tavy to Yelverton
Yelverton to Ivybridge
Day 6a
Day 7a
Mary Tavy to Princetown
Princetown to Buckfastleigh
11.6 miles
15 miles
16.3 miles
16.5 miles
18.5 miles
12.3 miles
14 miles
15.9 miles
16.1 miles

Route Profile And Options

Travel To And From The Route

Arrival and Departure from Ivybridge - Mainline fast Trains from London and the Midlands run to the station at Ivybridge some directly, some requiring a change at the previous stop of Totnes. Either way its a reliable service taking around 3 hours from London Paddington. You can catch a bus or take a taxi to the centre of town for the accommodation options or if you are ok carrying your luggage its around 15 minutes walk. We give full advice in your itinerary.

Other options  -  For anyone wanting to start or finish at Okehampton there are regular buses from Exeter Train and Bus Stations and since 2021 the Dartmoor moorland railway option which is currently running hourly and only takes 40 minutes from Exeter - read more about the Dartmoor Line to Okehampton if you are thinking of starting your walk here.

Anyone wanting to start at Tavistock will arrive by Plymouth on the train and regular buses can be caught from outside the station.  More remote locations (Lydford, Mary Tavy and Chagford) can also be reached from these Exeter or Plymouth by bus but take longer have fewer services and have more connections but just ask for advice if you are not starting at Ivybridge.

Reviews & Feedback

Sunset_Merrivale_stone_row_Dartmoor.jpg

A stunning, circular walking holiday unearthing the very best of Dartmoor National Park with the option to include a high level link route crossing the very centre of this mythical landscape of Tors and gorges. From 108 to 130 miles of walking depending on your route options.


Introduction to the Dartmoor Way

Without doubt for those who want the most comprehensive and varied walking experience...

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