Hello I'm Jill Pendleton,
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Walking on Dartmoor
Absolutely everyone benefits from exercise and fresh air. As part of a keep fit regime, walking is rated
as the activity that above all others improves our feelings of well being. The Mayo Clinic in America has
a terrific page about walking and it's well worth a read. Click the box 
SOME IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT WALKING ON DARTMOOR
1.Before you set out, let someone know where you plan to walk, and, if you change your mind en-route, let
them know that too. If you don't turn up at the end of the day, people need to know where to start looking.
IIf by any chance you have a mishap, others need to know where to start looking for you!
This is as important
for a party of people as for a single walker. It's a good idea to take a mobile phone,
but beware - there are large areas of the Moor where you
will not get a signal.
2. Take a map or guide book, and possibly a compass - provided you know how to use it ! If you don't and
you want to learn, have a look at www.dartmoorspirit.co.uk where you will find Jim, who runs friendly
courses on how to navigate and map read. DARTMOOR IS BIG 365 square miles.
It might be a better idea for you to join one of the DNP's guided walks. (see bottom of page).
Or Take a look at The Rambler's Association, a great bunch of keen walkers who welcome visitors to join in.
It's never a good plan to just head off to some point in the distance. Large areas of the Moor are boggy,
there are rivers to cross, some of them fast flowing. As Autumn sets in, daylight fades quickly.
You must know what your limits are and where you are going.
3. It may look comfy, but what happens when you encounter mud ? Wear good walking shoes or
wellingtons.
And always drop a few plasters into your rucksack. A tiny blister, if caught in time
can be eased
enormously by applying a plaster to stop the chafing.
In Autumn and Winter it is vitally important that you have enough layers, and a waterproof
outer layer is a must. A plastic mac
although slightly jokey, will be light to carry, and in heavy rain
can make all the difference. It will also provide a waterproof place
to sit, as unless you find a suitable
rock, some resting spots leave you with a damp reminder to take on your way.
A hat will either
shade you from the sun or keep your head warm which will help maintain your body heat.
A silk scarf around the neck can make such a
difference, and is almost no weight at all to carry.
Don't forget to take gloves. If a cold wind blows, you will be glad you did.
4. Take something to eat and drink. Always take enough liquid to ensure that you won't go thirsty.
Getting dehydrated can lead to a very poor sense of direction, and worse.
Do not be tempted to drink from the streams unless you can boil the water. A dead sheep in the water
further upstream will infect it. Sandwiches, fruit and good outdoor food such as flapjack are easy to pack.
Everyone loves a picnic, but make sure that you take every scrap of litter home with you.
Animals on the Moor are curious, eating even the smallest piece of plastic can prove fatal to a lamb.
5. Respect the countryside. Always leave gates how you find them. If shut, leave shut, if open leave open.
Despite what you might think, the livestock on the Moor belongs to someone. Farmers feed their stock and
the worst thing you can do is to feed the ponies.
When stupid folk feed ponies from their cars, the
ponies naturally associate cars with food. This leads to young ponies wandering about on the roads
walking towards cars because they think that cars are friendly, often with dreadful consequences.
6. Dogs 
Dogs should be kept on a lead near to livestock. If your dog chases sheep or any other animal on
Dartmoor, then the farmer is perfectly entitled to shoot your dog. It's as simple as that.
If you see a dog or dogs chasing sheep, then please report it to a Park Ranger (tel. bottom of page)
Check out this Met Office 5 day weather link to see that weather conditions are suitable.
Letterboxing on Dartmoor is great fun for all the family.
Small boxes, each containing a rubber stamp inscribed with pictures and words are carefully
hidden in natural nooks and crannies (and pubs!) all over Dartmoor. It's a great way to get young
children interested in walking. This book by Janet Palmer explains it all, and is well worth getting.
It only costs £3.25 plus p&p. e-mail Janet and start the kids off on this wonderfully absorbing hobby.
If you would like to learn to navigate, then Dartmoor is just the place to learn.
Learn to navigate Click this link to find out more. Navigation is a skill well worth having.
Map reading can tell you so much about the surrounding countryside.
We recommend The Dartmoor Magazine. Each edition features a walk on Dartmoor.
The magazine is full of interest, and at only £12.95 for a year long subscription (4 editions) what better
Christmas gift could you buy for a lover of Dartmoor ? Click to have a look at the mag's website
Treasure Trails are colourful downloadable trails with maps to follow and competitions.
Trails for the centre of the Moor, Okehampton, Ivybridge, Tavistock and one for the Teign Valley all
at £5 each including vat and postage. Their interactive website offers trails all over the UK.
IF YOU USE ONE OF THESE TRAILS AND WOULD LIKE TO SEND US A REVIEW - OR ANY PHOTOS OF
YOUR FAMILY USING THE TRAILS - PLEASE DO SO, WE SHOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM !!
With your permission, we can maybe add them to our website.
the Dartmoor National Park offer guided walks throughout the year, lead by enthusiastic local
people. Sometimes they have a theme such as bird watching or archaeology Some, during the school holidays
have children's activities, where the cost for the child is £3 and the accompanying adult goes free.
Guided walks can be from up to 2 hours in duration (£3) 3 hours (£5), 4hours (£6.50) and to up to
6 hours (£8). Have a look at the DNP Walks for August. Find more information and facts.
For Dartmoor Rangers during office hours contact (01626) 831006