Photography by Amanda Barton
Walks on Dartmoor
We offer a free programme of volunteer-led guided walks throughout the year, beginning at various locations on Dartmoor. Routes and distances vary, ranging between 3 and 10 miles.
Our longstanding programme of informative free walks has been delivered for years by a dedicated team of DPA members who give their own time to enable everyone to access the moor and share their love of Dartmoor.
Our 2026 walks programme includes fantastic collaborations with local guides, as well as short walks delivered by our Chairman, John Howell. From March to September there are a series of walks celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Two Moors Way.
Walking with the DPA is great way to keep fit, meet new people, and to discover lesser known features of Dartmoor from our knowledgeable guides. We are keen to make walking on Dartmoor accessible for all ages, confidence levels and abilities. To help do this, we have scheduled a selection of shorter strolls and longer walks, taking in both well trodden paths and more challenging terrain.
JOINING US FOR A WALK
All DPA walks are free and are designed for members and non-members who wish to explore Dartmoor in a guided group. Most will start at around 10.00 am and there will be an optional lunch at a local pub or cafe following some of them. Be sure to bring some money for lunch.
Through our shorter guided walks, we hope to improve accessibility to the joy of walking, introduce new walkers to the pleasures of the moor in a safe manner. We would also be pleased to attract older walkers who no longer wish to undertake strenuous walks, or walkers who do not want to venture out on their own.
The walks will start from easy-to-reach car parks and will be on ground that is not difficult, following established tracks where possible.
Remember to wear appropriate clothing, bring food and drink, and register your interest either with the event organiser. All events are subject to weather conditions, with dogs permitted at the discretion of the organiser.
DPA WALK LEADERS
John Howell
Join John for the following walks:
Wednesday 9th September - DPA short walk: Sharpitor and Walkhampton Common
Tuesday 6th October - DPA short walk: Bellever Tor from Dunnabridge Pound
Helen Bruce
Join Helen for the following walks:
Tuesday 1st September - Dartmoor Awe Walk: A Mindful Immersion in Nature
Wednesday 2nd September - Storywalk: Witches and the Wild Hunt at Hound Tor
WALKS PARTNERS
Dartmoor Tors Festival
The Dartmoor Tors Festival was set up in 2025 by Sophie Pierce and Alex Murdin, who have lived on Dartmoor for over 25 years. It explores and celebrates the culture of Dartmoor, presenting diverse cultural, social and political responses to the natural world. The DPA are very pleased to be Lead Partner for the festival in 2026.
We will be running a mindfulness walk, supported by Hannah Durdin of Moorland guides, plus offering a Black Dog walk, presented by Field System. Also, we will be assisting in delivering a memorable parade and well dressing ceremony, reviving the tradition of honouring St Gudula's holy well in Ashburton.
Our mindfulness walk and Gudula's Gathering will be free to attend, in order to promote accessibility and encourage people to get to know Dartmoor and find their own place here. We firmly believe that those who have a relationship with the moor are its strongest advocates and stewards.
Nigel Grist
Nigel Grist has been a Moorland Guide since 2014. He will be leading a walk titled, 'Introduction to Navigation: Map-reading and Compass work' on the 29th July. The aim of the walk is to gain a solid grounding in basic map-reading techniques and use of a compass for navigation. To build confidence to explore further and see a few of Dartmoor’s interesting features and have fun.
Topics to be covered will include: features of map; orientating a map; using a map without a compass; interpretation of symbols, terrain and topography; estimating distances; taking and plotting a grid reference; compass design and use; taking and following a bearing; basic route planning. The day is designed for beginners or those requiring a refresher in navigation. No prior experience is necessary.
Paul Harris
Photography with a sprinkle of imperfection ... something which sparks the imagination.
Paul Harris of Glavind Strachan Photography describes his style of photography as springing from many brooks of inspiration, not the least of which is his propensity to see the beauty in flaws. For his guided photography walk, 'Portrait Photography in Nature,' on the 13th of May, he will be sharing tips from his experiences photographing people outdoors in nature. Participants will be asked to take part, learning about how to direct subjects and to be directed. The walk is all about exploring and responding to whatever Dartmoor might throw at a photographer. No tripods, no lights, no waiting around. Just you, your camera, the light, and the landscape.
Roz Brady
Born in Dorking, Surrey and raised in New South Wales, Australia, Roz Brady has been intrigued by nature since she first walked into a wood in the outback age 3. Roz's new songs are inspired by the wild beauty and natural history of Dartmoor. Her themes are wildlife, the countryside, and the spiritual necessity for nature, place and belonging. She writes outdoors and now works in a secluded, wooded valley, an arm of the Teign Valley near her home on Dartmoor.
For her 'Wild Writing Workshop' on the 24th of June, Roz teams up with the DPA's Helen Bruce to lead participants into the stunning ecology of Pudsham Meadows, woven with intervals of writing and readings from Roz's Pudsham Stories through the Seasons.
Martin Gillard
Doctor Martin Gillard is the Historic Environment Officer for the South West Peatland Partnership. He has worked in archaeology for over thirty years, the last eight focussing on peatland restoration. He has a PhD studying the medieval landscapes of uplands in the South West.
Martin has been investigating and working in the uplands of the Southwest since the last millennia and has been visiting and researching High House Waste. During his walk and talk on the 9th of July, titled 'Historic Landscape at High House Waste' the group will look at the historic landscape of this area – from the Bronze Age to the medieval and beyond, discussing what we know about these often sparsely documented settlements and fields.
Lulu Clancy (Avoca)
Avoca is a seasoned performing artist whose work weaves together the threads of singing, songwriting, physical theatre, and embodied expression. As a recording artist, actor, drama tutor, and mentor, Avoca brings a rich depth of experience to her practice.
Passionate about the power of voice and somatic expression, she creates spaces where others can explore their authentic presence — both in performance and in connection with the natural world. Through workshops, mentoring, and collaborative projects, Avoca invites individuals and groups to deepen their creative process and rediscover their relationship with voice, movement, and landscape. Join her for a walk on the 2nd of July, titled 'Dartmoor Sounds: A Sensory Exploration of Stone and Land.'
Julian Baird
Julian is a landscape photographer who has been exploring and photographing Dartmoor for over 10 years. His work is shaped by long-term engagement with the landscape and its changing conditions, developed through repeated visits to familiar locations. Julian works as a photography tutor and location guide, helping others discover Dartmoor’s landscapes and develop confident, thoughtful compositions. He also shares the stories behind his images through writing and video, including the Discovering Dartmoor series on his blog and YouTube channel.
Join Julian for one, or all, of his series of photography walks with the DPA this year: Photographing Dartmoor's Heather on 26th August, Autumn on the Moor on the 14th October and The Majesty of Great Staple Tor on the 11th of November.
SYLVIA SAYER WALK
As part of our collaborative 'Dartmoor Calling' project with Clapham Film Unit, local guides led two Sylvia Sayer Walks. These walks took in some of the sites on Dartmoor which Lady Sayer campaigned so passionately to protect.
We are delighted to now share this printable walk leaflet, which includes both written instructions and a map of the Princetown circular walk route. This walk commemorates Sylvia Sayer's successful campaign to stop the Swincombe Valley and Foxtor Mire being lost under a reservoir. The entire loop is 13.82km and we recommend allowing 4 hours to complete it. Including tors, a communications tower subject to a failed campaign, Geoff Sayer's memorial gate, the 'Crock of Gold' cist and spectacular views of Swincombe Valley, this walk connects Lady Sayer's campaigning to tangible results.
To explore more of the moor, contact a Dartmoor Guide via Dartmoor Walking Tours and Moorland Guides.
IN MEMORY OF KEITH RYAN
In 2020, we published a limited number of Short Walks on Dartmoor, written by Keith. The books proved so popular, we had sold out of available copies by 2021!
Unfortunately, due to the current costs of printing, another print run of the book is unfeasible without substantially increasing the price of the book.
We want to share Keith's legacy with as many people as possible, so have decided to release the PDF version online in his memory.