Walking on Dartmoor in Devon is the best. Here's some sensible information.
1. Before you set out, let someone know where you plan to walk on Dartmoor, 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 will need to know where to start looking for you. If by any chance you have a mishap, others need to know where you might be and maybe where to search.
This is as important for a party of people as for a single walker. Show someone on a map where you are thinking of going. Let him or her know what is the closest village or tor that you are aiming for. It's a good idea to take a mobile phone,
but BEWARE - there are large areas of the Dartmoor where you
will not get a signal, especially in the lower valleys.
2. Take a Dartmoor map or guide book. The very best Dartmoor map is the Dartmoor OS Explorer (folded) map by
Ordnance Survey. It is the 21/2 inches to the mile format 1:25,000 scale.
Covering the Two Moors Way, The Templar Way, The Tarka Trail, West Devon Way,
Dartmoor Way, Two Castles Trail, Taw-Teign Link and the whole of the Moor itself.
It clearly shows youth hostels, pubs, rights of way, fences, permissive paths and bridleways. The recommended retail price is £7.99, but Amazon sells it for just £5.99 and also offers
used versions of the map from as low as £2.50 Great Saving! Click the map to follow the link.
Rob and I find that the laminated version which is now called the outstanding All Weather
map, is utterly brilliant in any weather. You could even hold it over your head in a sudden downpour. And do take a compass if you know how to use it !
Click here to see many more maps of Dartmoor.
DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK IS BIG taking in a staggering 365 square miles.
It might be a better idea for you to join one of the Dartmoor National Park's guided walks. (see bottom of page).
Take a look at The Rambler's Association website, 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 Dartmoor are boggy, there are rivers to cross, some of them fast flowing. When the days shorten and Autumn sets in, daylight fades very quickly.
You must know what your limits are and where you are going.
3. This row of crocs 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 further 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.
If a cold Dartmoor wind blows, you will be glad you did and even on warm days they are useful when opening the odd grubby and rusty gate etc. so don't forget to take your gloves.
4. Always 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. But you never know, a dead sheep in the water further upstream will infect it.
Take sandwiches, fruit and good outdoor food such as flapjack which are easy to pack.
Everyone loves a picnic, but make sure that you take every scrap of litter home with you.
Animals on Dartmoor 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 Dartmoor belongs to someone. Farmers feed their stock and
the worst thing you can do is to feed the ponies your left-overs whilst you are out on your walk. When STUPID FOLK
feed ponies from their cars, the ponies naturally associate cars with food which is the cause of many pony deaths.
NEVER EVER FEED THE PONIES ON DARTMOOR.
As this leads to young ponies wandering about on the roads walking towards cars.
They think that cars that are friendly boxes that dole out food, often with dreadful consequences.
6. Dogs.
By all means bring your dog, but be sensible.
Dogs should always 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 as soon as you can to a Dartmoor
National Park Ranger. Dartmoor Rangers during
office hours contact number is 01626 831006
Click here to see pictures and details of an excellent walk on Rippon Tor on January 2011
There are dozens of books outlining walks on Dartmoor. This on the left is one of the better
<--- ones that we recommend.
It is a paperback, so easier to fit into a backpack.
Currently selling on Amazon at £7.26 for new or
better still you can pick up a used copy from £5.44
Click here to go to Amazon's Dartmoor related books.
Or this book right has some interesting ideas for saving a bob or two whilst entertaining the children in your life. Price £7.01 Click to book to read more. --->
Do you need a compass ?
You don't have to be a skilled orienteer to make use of a compass.
It will help you make sense of your map and it could be your
best friend on a dull day when the sun doesn't cast a shadow
Click here to see a full range of great compasses on Amazon.
Great idea for a birthday gift for a walker.
Check out this Met Office 5 day weather link to see what the weather will be doing for the next
5 days on Dartmoor. The link is also handy for planning your journey home of course.
The Dartmoor National Park offer guided walks throughout the year, lead by enthusiastic and knowledgeable 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 £3.50
and the accompanying adult goes free. DNP Guided walks start from up
to 2 hours in duration and the cost for children on a guided walk for 14 years and under is FREE.
For adults the charges are
2 hours (£3.50) 3 hours (£5.50), 4 hours (£7) and to up to 6 hours (£9). 2011 prices.
Find the list of the latest walks, on the DNP website:- click Dartmoor Guided walks January 2012
and Dartmoor Guided walks February 2012
You can also book a private walk with the Park at £50 for a half day, £75 a day.
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 all about walking.
I think it's well worth a read. Click on the Mayo logo, left and read all about it.
For the Dartmoor Rangers during office hours contact 01626 831006
No these are not Dartmoor Rangers ! They are happy Duke of Edinburgh award participants. Nice to meet you girls.
