New Dartmoor Way walking route
Following the creation of the Dartmoor Way cycling route back in 2013, a new Dartmoor Way walking route, with a total distance of 108 miles will be launched over the late May Bank Holiday. This new, long distance trail is a joint Ramblers and Dartmoor National Park Authority collaboration, and circles Dartmoor along quiet footpaths, bridleways and little used byways, linking towns and villages on the edge of the moor. Differing in nature to ‘The Two Moors Way’ which crosses Dartmoor from north to south and traverses a sizable amount of open moorland, the Dartmoor Way explores the beautiful and diverse countryside between the open moor and Devon farmland, and is suitable for walking at most times of the year. There is also a High Moorland walking link crossing the moor from Tavistock to Buckfast, creating two smaller circular routes of either the north or south moors. In addition, the Dartmoor Way links up with the Two Moors Way where the paths cross at Ivybridge and Drewsteignton, enabling a variety of walking route combinations. You can also walk some of the Dartmoor Way, and cycle the rest of it!
One of the founders of Tavistock Ramblers, Rosemary Clarke, has been heavily involved with the Dartmoor Way project. To celebrate the launch, she plans to walk the whole 108 miles in the week commencing 23rd May. If you would like to help her raise much needed funds for Dartmoor Search and Rescue go to www.justgiving.com/campaign/RESCUE-50.
22nd to 25th May
Dartmoor Way Walking Festival
A mini walking festival will celebrate the formal opening of the route with a variety of guided walks along sections of the Dartmoor Way. Tavistock Ramblers will lead several walks, starting from Pork Hill car park just outside Tavistock and other Rambler groups will lead walks from various locations around the route. For a full itinerary and more details about the Dartmoor Way see www.dartmoorway.co.uk and www.ramblers.org.uk.