Walking on Dartmoor. Earle John

      The path leading up to Bell Tor from Bonehill Rocks, Walk 22

      I feel that I should also mention the notices put up at many points that state that there should be ‘No Vehicles beyond this point.’ This is not a National Park Law but a Highway Law that states that no vehicles should be driven more than 15m (50ft) from a road. Following on from this I would urge all car users to park sensibly and with consideration. Do not block gates as local farmers and other users of the moor may need to come and go without hindrance. Do not park in narrow lanes or on busy roads.

      The other problem is caused by Dartmoor ponies. Obviously the visitors are intrigued by them, especially the younger ones and there is always the temptation to feed them. But this is a most dangerous thing to do. Firstly it attracts the ponies to the roads where they loiter hoping for titbits. Driving at night or in mist or pouring rain with bad visibility, it is a fearful hazard both for the pony and the driver to come on a group of ponies suddenly, tucked round a blind corner. Secondly, by feeding them, it gives them food that is not suitable and also make them less capable and determined to fend for themselves which they must do during the long, hard winter months.

      Access can also cause problems. No wonder many Dartmoor farmers still regard the tourist as a scourge. I have seen many people tramping across a fine crop of hay to have a picnic. All too often groups will climb the drystone walls to cut off a corner. Once one rock is disturbed a great many more usually fall. I have heard farmers complaining of gates left open and animals wandering on the roads or in fields where they should not go. We have all found empty tin cans and broken bottles left lying around; a terrible danger to livestock. Cigarette packets and butt ends, fish and chip papers and fried chicken cartons all litter the popular areas of the moor and often private land.

      Many of the footpaths and bridle paths are clearly signed with boards and rights of way are well marked on the maps that you will be using. Please stick to and respect the rights of way and do not stray off them. As a good, general rule you can assume that all enclosed fields are private and that you should not enter them unless there is a marked right of way.

      If you have any doubts, the Dartmoor National Headquarters at Parke are always very happy to help and advise. There are several seasonal information centres at strategic places on the moor including Parke and at Princetown, Postbridge, New Bridge, Steps Bridge, Okehampton and Tavistock. You will also see going about their work quite a number of the park rangers who, amongst their many jobs, act as a liaison with the public.

      Public transport onto Dartmoor sadly is limited. Gone are the days when the railway circled the moor and the one splendid line to Princetown took you across rolling moorland to well over 400m (1500ft), and every moorland village had its bus service. However, there are still a few local bus routes in summer. The Dartmoor National Park Authority and Devon County Council are keen to cut back on the numbers of cars coming onto Dartmoor and suggest that walkers should use the buses that run on Dartmoor and are willing to stop at various points across the moor.

      For full details a free booklet called Dartmoor Discovery Guide gives the timetables of all the bus routes running across or onto Dartmoor with a lot of other useful information. You can get the details of these services from Parke or local bus companies (see Appendix B). But I must assume that most of you will come to Dartmoor by car.

Where to stay

      As you drive across or around Dartmoor you will often see farms and small guesthouses advertising bed and breakfast and you may be the sort of person who likes to try places on the off-chance that they will have vacancies, but at the peak holiday periods you would probably be better off booking. There are many excellent hotels in the area ranging from the large and expensive to the small and not so expensive. There are youth hostels at Steps Bridge on the Teign and at Bellever near Postbridge. The Dartmoor Expedition Centre near Widecombe-in-the-Moor offers full board or self-catering bunkhouse accommodation.

      As I have mentioned all Dartmoor is privately owned and permission must be obtained from landowners before pitching tents or caravans. Some farmers will allow you to camp on their land for short periods; a few have recognised sites. The National Park Authority has a leaflet that gives you further details about camping and also lists the various sites on or near the moor.

      The most comprehensive guide to accommodation in the Dartmoor area is the Dartmoor Tourist Association's Annual Guide. (See Appendix B for address.) The Dartmoor National Park Authority's excellent free information newspaper Dartmoor Visitor also has details of accommodation, camping barns, hostels and a wealth of other really useful information.