NATIONAL PARK WALKS WITH KIDS: DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK

Easy Family Walks on Dartmoor

Our Campaign Manager Gemma, shares some of her families favourite walks on Dartmoor with us as part of our National Walking Month series focusing on great walks in the UK National parks.

Living on the coast in South Devon we end up walking along the coast a fair amount, but whenever we get the chance we head to our nearest National Park, Dartmoor. Located between the north and south coasts of Devon, Dartmoor is an amazing landscape full of streams, waterfalls, rivers, tors, forests and ponies! There are so many easily accessed walks to explore, here are a few of our favourite locations to discover.

BELLEVER FOREST & TOR

Our go to picnic spot is Bellever Woods, a gorgeous forest by the East Dart River. There is an easy circular forest walk here with a short optional detour to take you up to the Tor, where you might find some Dartmoor Ponies hanging around, once you get back down the river there are lots of places to set up for a picnic with a view, and there are plenty of opportunities for the kids to paddle in the river and cool off in the summer so pack their swimmers and water sandals. The car park and best river spots fill up in Summer so be sure to get there early.

Car Park Postcode: Yelverton PL20 6TP

Another route up to Bellever Tor which offers wide reaching views and plenty of rocks for the kids to scramble up, plus a trig to bag if that is something you enjoy, starts from the Visitor Centre at Postbridge. There are a few routes you can take to the Tor, including a circular walk. There is also a small free car park over the road from the center at the beginning of the walk.

The most direct route to Bellever Tor is a straight route through the forest at a steady incline on a gravel road, so perfect for little legs, the climb up to the tor once you reach it is also steady but grass, so pushchairs would't be advised for this walk. Once at the top there are plenty of rocky outcrops to enjoy a snack or drink whilst enjoying the view before the kids explore and scramble. There are often lots of Dartmoor Ponies along this route, which is an added bonus for the kids (and grown ups). It's important not to approach the ponies, or to feed or touch them, but the kids will love admiring them from a far.

Car Park Postcode: Postbridge PL20 6TH

HAYTOR ROCKS

Easily accessible from a number of car parks and picnic spaces, Haytor is a short but uphill walk. The view across South Devon is impressive and the kids will love to scramble on the rocky tor. There is also a visitor centre here and toilets. There is a charge to park at the visitor centre, but there are many roadside parking and picnic areas with no charge.

Car Park Postcode: TQ13 9XT

AVON DAM

This walk along the Avon River and up to an impressive dam is one well paved path, so is perfect for taking the kids bikes or scooters with you, and if you are happy to only view the dam from below, a perfect Dartmoor pushchair walk. There are lots of places for the kids to climb on and across the river, and it is shallow enough for them to paddle in the summer. Like most family walks on Dartmoor the car park is small and fills up quickly so an early start is recommended.

Car Park Postcode: TQ10 9EL

TRENCHFORD & TOTTIFORD RESERVOIRS

These two Reservoirs are located next to each other and offer two options for a short or longer 3 mile route. If you are just out for a short walk, you can loop around Trenchford Reservoir. The longer figure of eight route will take you around both reservoirs. Some of the path here is narrow so I wouldn't advise pushchairs, and it's important to keep your eye on the kids along the narrower sections by the water.

Car Park Postcode: TQ13 9NS

If you are looking for a pushchair friendly reservoir walk, I would advise Burrator Reservoir as much of the route is along the road.

CANONTEIGN FALLS

Although not a free walk, Canonteign Falls is a great option for a family day out. A steep walk to the top of the falls including a climb up the 90 original Victorian Steps, through fern filled fairy gardens with fairies to spot and a dinosaur to find, there is plenty to keep the kids engaged and once you complete the waterfall walk there are playgrounds, adventure courses and wetlands for them to explore and a lovely café and ice cream stand to grab some refreshments before you head off.

RIVER DART COUNTRY PARK

If you are looking for another fun filled family day, I have to recommend the River Dart Country Park, mostly because it holds a place in my heart as it is where we got married. Aside from the beautiful grounds there are also adventure playgrounds for the kids, a swimming lake complete with a pirate ship and you can also camp here with both tent and caravan pitches, it makes a great base for exploring the moors and surrounding towns.

If you'd like some more accesible family walks on Dartmoor, Dartmoor National Park have a great Miles Without Stiles initiative, you can find some accesible routes on their website.