Dartmoor National Park, with its vast open landscapes, granite tors, and ancient woodlands, offers some of the most unforgettable outdoor experiences in the UK. Whether you’re an avid adventurer or simply looking for a peaceful escape into nature, Dartmoor’s wild beauty is the perfect setting for a wide range of outdoor activities.
More people are looking to spend quality time outside in the natural world, and there are few places more stunning to do that than Dartmoor. With miles upon miles of untouched tors, beautiful forests and serene rivers, any place to stay in Chagford is the ideal starting point for an outdoor escape.
Popular Activities You Can Enjoy on Dartmoor
The outdoor fun never stops when you’re on Dartmoor! Come rain or shine, there will always be something fun to experience. Check out some of these activities you can enjoy.
- Walking – Arguably the best way to explore Dartmoor with the fewest restrictions.
- Horse Riding – You can freely ride horses along the open moorland, and there are many stables across the region.
- Cycling – Explore Dartmoor’s many cycling paths that cut through the wild landscape.
- Canoeing – Allowed in areas along the River Dart outside of the tourist season (from October to March).
- Climbing – Bouldering is generally permitted in most places, so long as it respects important features and doesn’t disturb other visitors.
- Fishing – Fishing is allowed across Dartmoor with the relevant permits.
- Geocaching – Letterboxing originated on Dartmoor, and there’s a rich tradition that continues today.
Hiking and Walking
With over 730 kilometres of public rights of way, Dartmoor is a walker’s paradise. You’ll find everything from short, family-friendly trails to challenging full-day hikes across open moorland. Popular routes include Haytor and Hound Tor, known for their dramatic granite formations and stunning views. Lydford Gorge offers a more sheltered walk through ancient woodland, with a chance to see the impressive 30-metre-high Whitelady Waterfall. If you’re interested in Dartmoor’s ancient history, the walk from Bennett’s Cross to Grimspound passes through Bronze Age ruins and offers spectacular scenery.
Wildlife Watching
Dartmoor is home to a rich variety of wildlife, making it a great destination for nature lovers. Dartmoor ponies roam freely across the moor, and you’ll often see buzzards, kestrels, and owls soaring overhead.
If you head to quieter rivers like the Dart or Tavy, you might spot kingfishers darting through the trees or even glimpse an otter. In wooded areas, keep an eye out for deer, particularly at dawn or dusk. Spring and autumn are ideal times for spotting birds and other wildlife.
Horse Riding
Dartmoor’s wide open spaces and network of bridleways make it an excellent place for horse riding. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, there are stables and riding centres that offer guided treks across the moor.
Riding through this wild landscape on horseback is a unique and memorable way to explore. With the right guide, you can experience some of Dartmoor’s most remote and beautiful spots from a whole new perspective.
Canoeing and Kayaking
Dartmoor’s rivers and reservoirs provide exciting opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. The River Dart is especially popular with white-water enthusiasts, with well-known stretches like the Loop and the Upper Dart offering challenging rapids.
There are also gentler sections of the river better suited to beginners or scenic paddling. Always check water levels and access rights before heading out, and make sure you have the appropriate skills and equipment for river paddling.
Cycling and Mountain Biking
Cyclists of all abilities will find something to enjoy on Dartmoor. The Granite Way is a popular, mostly traffic-free route between Okehampton and Lydford, with beautiful views and gentle gradients.
For more adventurous riders, bridleways across the moor offer steep climbs and rugged tracks, perfect for mountain biking. Haldon Forest Park, on the edge of Dartmoor, has a range of marked trails for beginners through to experienced cyclists.
Wild Swimming
Dartmoor is full of hidden wild swimming spots – from deep pools to peaceful stretches of river. Spitchwick Common on the River Dart is a popular choice, especially in summer, with grassy banks and plenty of space for a picnic.
Sharrah Pool is a deeper, more secluded spot surrounded by trees, while Cadover Bridge is ideal for families, with shallow areas for paddling. As always with wild swimming, be cautious – the water can be cold and fast-flowing, and there are no lifeguards.
Climbing and Bouldering
The granite tors of Dartmoor attract climbers and boulderers from all over. Haytor, Hound Tor, and Bonehill Rocks are particularly popular, offering routes and problems for a range of abilities.
Beginners can often join guided sessions, while more experienced climbers will find plenty of challenges among the rugged rocks. In spring, some areas may be closed to protect nesting birds, so always check local guidance before you climb.
Stargazing
For a truly immersive experience, consider spending the night under Dartmoor’s dark skies. Dartmoor is one of the few places in England where wild camping is permitted in certain areas, as long as you follow the local code and camp responsibly.
With low light pollution, it’s also a brilliant place for stargazing. On clear nights, you can enjoy incredible views of the stars, and during certain times of year, you might catch a meteor shower. Pack warm clothes and be ready for a magical night outdoors.
Geocaching and Letterboxing
Dartmoor is the birthplace of letterboxing – a hobby that combines walking with treasure hunting. Clues lead you to hidden boxes containing stamps and logbooks, and there are over a thousand scattered across the moor.
Today, letterboxing is joined by geocaching, a GPS-based version of the same idea. It’s a great way to explore new areas of the park and adds an element of fun for families and kids. All you need is a sense of adventure and a little determination.
Keeping Dartmoor Safe
One of the things that makes Dartmoor so special is how it’s been protected for over hundreds of years, creating a wild oasis that feels detached from the modern world. To help make sure future generations can enjoy Dartmoor just like us, there are certain rules around what specific outdoor activities can be enjoyed here and which are prohibited.
The Key Rules Around Activities on Dartmoor
New outdoor trends emerge every year, whether it’s geocaching, flying drones or something else entirely. Regardless of what you want to do, some key regulations underpin whether something is or isn’t allowed on Dartmoor.
Large parts of Dartmoor are privately owned (such as campsites, car parks, towns, villages and farms) and these locations will all have specific rules. For example, if you visited us at Mill End and wanted to enjoy a particular activity on our grounds, you would have to speak to us first.
Meanwhile, the commons – the wilder parts of Dartmoor through which people are free to roam – are governed by the Dartmoor National Park Authority, which follows byelaws laid out in the Dartmoor Commons Act of 1985.
If something is or isn’t allowed on Dartmoor, it is usually laid out in the Dartmoor Commons Act. While the language is quite legalese, much of it ties back into the ideals that govern the Dartmoor National Park Authority and can be summed up as such:
- Activities shouldn’t cause any potential harm to conservation and heritage efforts.
- Activities shouldn’t hinder other people’s ability to enjoy the park.
- Activities shouldn’t cause harm to local communities or the rural economy.
Read on for more information as we break down some of the most popular questions.
Can You Camp On Dartmoor?
Camping is arguably the biggest question when it comes to Dartmoor, and it’s a subject close to many people’s hearts.
The current rules state that wild camping is allowed on Dartmoor commons, but it comes with quite a few caveats. To sum it up, you must:
- Travel Light: Only lightweight tents designed for one or two people, and everything must fit into a backpack.
- Remain Unseen: Stay away from roads and travel in small groups.
- Leave No Trace: No fires or BBQs, take your rubbish home and bury your waste.
You are not allowed to camp in a larger family tent, nor can you stay in a motor home in a car park or layby. Unless you have the skills and equipment to commit to genuine wild camping, you’re required to book a space at a campsite.
See the Dartmoor National Park’s camping page for more information on the latest camping rules.
Can You Park Overnight on Dartmoor?
You are allowed to park overnight in Dartmoor’s car parks. However, as discussed in the camping section, you’re not allowed to stay in your car overnight.
You are generally not allowed to park on verges or laybys or block access gates.
If you are staying somewhere on Dartmoor (including wild camping) and have to leave your car in a car park overnight, that should be fine so long as you have the necessary parking tickets. However, if there was a complication that caused you to be stuck in your car in a car park overnight, you would be expected to move on by the local authority.
Can You Light Fires or BBQs on Dartmoor?
No open fires are allowed on Dartmoor common – this is one of the Authority’s simplest and strictest rules.
Wildfires are a real and present danger on Dartmoor given its large swathes of untouched moorland. As a result, any open fire – including campfires and portable BBQs – is prohibited.
Properly constructed camping stoves or cookers can be used, but be sure to light them safely and ensure you don’t drop any lit matches.
Can You Cycle on Dartmoor?
There are many places where you can cycle on Dartmoor, but you don’t have permission to go wherever you like.
Cycling is a great way to experience Dartmoor. There are amazing cycle routes across Dartmoor, including off-road tracks that allow you to explore the moorland.
The rules around going off-road on your bike are the same as trying to go off-road in a vehicle. Basically, you’re only allowed to cycle where a specific path has been created. Cycling off-road into the wilderness without a path is prohibited.
Can You Fly Drones on Dartmoor?
Drones can be a controversial topic. As of writing, it is prohibited to use drones on public land in Dartmoor.
There are many reasons why drones and model aircrafts are prohibited. Many people find them a nuisance, so it can spoil the experience for other visitors. Also, they can be dangerous and cause damage if something goes wrong.
Rules around using drones on private land can be different as it’s down to the discretion of the landowner. However, the process is generally the same. If you wish to use a drone anywhere on Dartmoor, you have to apply either to the Dartmoor authority or, if on private land, the landowner.
Dartmoor does sometimes allow filming through drones, but this is usually for commercial purposes. If you’re hoping to do some recreational shots, it’s unlikely you’ll be allowed, but you can always ask.
Can You Fish on Dartmoor?
There are many wonderful lakes and rivers on Dartmoor teeming with wildlife where you’re allowed to fish. However, to help protect the biodiversity of the region, all fishing has to be done under permit.
Permits are readily available from many locations around the region. For example, day tickets can be purchased from our reception for some of the great local fishing spots.
The cost of permits can vary depending on the region you’re visiting and the season. For more information, check out our dedicated guide.
If there’s something else you want to try but you’re not sure if it’s allowed, feel free to speak to our team, who will be happy to advise.
We wish you a wonderful, adventure-filled break in Dartmoor!