Walking on Dartmoor
Find out more about:
• the different types
of access you have to
the Dartmoor countryside
including its open and enclosed
moorland areas, its farmland,
woodland and forests;
• useful advice for your safety,
information on the Countryside
Code and taking Moor Care,
and advice for dog owners;
• new access opportunities
on Dartmoor arising from the
Countryside and Rights of Way
Act 2000 as from 28 August 2005;
• where to find
more information on
enjoying Dartmoor.
Contents
Enjoying Dartmoor’s special qualities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Dartmoor National Park - a great place for walking . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Walking for health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Access for all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Where you can walk
Open access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Dartmoor Commons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
New access opportunities under the
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 . . . . . . . . . 7
Access Agreement areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Permitted open country access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Linear access
Public Rights of Way. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Permissive paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Public access on Dartmoor
Dartmoor National Park Authority’s role . . . . . . . . . . 11
The Dartmoor Local Access Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Knowing where to go and what you can do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Finding your way. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
On the ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Maps
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Map: open access on Dartmoor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Dartmoor’s open country walking: an open access checklist. . . . 14
Safety for the walker
Military training on Dartmoor and access implications . . . . . . 16
General safety advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
How you can help to look after Dartmoor
The Countryside Code and taking Moor Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Backpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
You and your dog in the countryside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Enjoying
Dartmoor’s
special qualities
Dartmoor’s varied landscape
offers great opportunities for
many activities, particularly
walking. Whether going on
a family stroll, following a
woodland or reservoir trail,
joining a guided walk, or
heading off into remote
open country, walking is one
of the best ways to discover
and experience Dartmoor‘s
beauty, wildlife and cultural
heritage interest.
1
Dartmoor National Park
- a g re a t p l a c e f o r w a l k i n g
Dartmoor National
Park - a great place
for walking
Dartmoor is a great place
for exploration because of
its landscape beauty and
variety including:
• open moorland
• steep sided river valleys,
some covered with
ancient deciduous
woodland
• forests and reservoirs
• farmland
• picturesque villages
and towns
and because of its:
• wealth of wildlife
• rich legacy of the past.
Dartmoor is a lived in,
working landscape.
The land is in the hands
of many landowners and
occupiers including farmers,
the Duchy of Cornwall,
Forestry Commission,
South West Lakes Trust,
National Trust and the MoD.
2
Walks for all tastes
•
•
•
•
over 47,000 hectares of
open access (representing
50% of the National Park)
450 miles (730 km)
of public rights of way
permitted access
opportunities.
•
•
•
3
long hikes or gentle
strolls that you can plan
for yourselves
routes planned for you
in leaflets and booklets
(even routes planned
for families which are
designed to put the
children in charge)
ranging from 1 hour,
1/2 day, 1 day
easy going walks if you
have a mobility problem
guided walks with the
benefit of a local guide
with a wealth of local
knowledge to share.
Dartmoor National Park
- a g re a t p l a c e f o r w a l k i n g
Walking opportunities
Wa l k i n g f o r h e a l t h
Walking for health
•
•
•
•
•
•
Walking is not only a great
way of exploring Dartmoor’s
special qualities - it can also
be good for you! For
prevention or treatment,
contact with the outdoors
can make a difference to
people’s health and wellbeing through opportunities
to be active, relax and enjoy
the views, spend time with
friends and family, and meet
new people. It can also raise
spirits and stimulate the
senses and, of course, it can
be enjoyable and fun.
Walking can bring added
benefits
Led walks are a chance to meet
people and make friends.
They can offer a gentle exercise
and be suitable if you are
recovering from heart trouble,
a stroke or other illness.
For suggested walks from
Dartmoor area settlements,
pick up a Walking for Health
pack from Information Centres
and local doctors’ surgeries.
W alking for h ea l t h
Did you know that ….
regular walking can
improve your
•
•
•
•
•
For more
information
on walking for
health please
contact:
confidence
stamina
energy
weight control
life expectancy
Walking the Way to Health
Initiative Team
The Countryside Agency
John Dower House
Crescent Place
Cheltenham GL50 3RA
Tel: 01242 533258
www.whi.org.uk
it can reduce the risk of
•
•
•
•
bowel cancer
Alzheimer’s disease
osteoporosis
arthritis
anxiety
stress
coronary heart disease
strokes
diabetes
high blood pressure
4
This publication can help and
encourage those persons who
are disabled, less mobile
or who have young children,
to relax and enjoy the peace
and quiet of the countryside
within the Dartmoor area.
It will help you to make the
right choice for your day out
and includes suggested easy
going and more adventurous
walks. Easy-Going Dartmoor
is available from Information
Centres or viewable on-line at
www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
The countryside is not always
easy to get around on foot,
let alone with a wheelchair
or buggy! The Dartmoor
National Park Authority
and Dartmoor for All
have produced Easy-Going
Dartmoor.
5
Access for all
Access for all
Open access
W h e re y o u c a n w a l k
Where you can walk
as from 28 August 2005,
extend to approximately
7,000 hectares.
Open access
Generally, accessing
Dartmoor’s open country
is relatively straightforward.
However, because of the
Dartmoor Commons Act,
the open access situation
on Dartmoor is different
from that for the rest of the
country. Understanding your
rights and responsibilities
associated with the different
types of open access on
Dartmoor is important for
your enjoyment, for land
and livestock management
reasons, and for wildlife
conservation.
In areas where there is open
access, generally you do not
have to stay on footpaths,
bridleways or other rights
of way. The public has
legal open access to
approximately 47,400 hectares
of Dartmoor. Of this total,
public access on foot (and
horseback) to the Dartmoor
commons, extending for
some 35,200 hectares, was
secured under the Dartmoor
Commons Act 1985. A further
5,200 hectares is access on
foot made by agreement
between the National Park
Authority and a number of
landowners/ occupiers.
And, by following the
Countryside Code and Moor
Care guidelines you will be
helping to look after these
outstanding areas.
New walking rights on
Dartmoor specifically arising
from the Countryside and
Rights of Way Act 2000,
6
The Countryside and Rights
of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act)
created a new right, in
England and Wales, to walk
over areas officially mapped
as open country and
registered common land.
Access rights to Dartmoor’s
common land had previously
been secured in 1985, and
some mapped land is also
covered by existing access
agreements.
Generally, access to common
land is unrestricted in terms
of when you can visit. The
exceptions to this are the MoD’s
Range Danger Areas on north
Dartmoor - firing times must be
checked when planning to walk
in these areas (see page 16).
Please follow the Dartmoor
National Park Byelaws when
visiting the Dartmoor
commons. Copies of the
Byelaws are available from
local Information Centres;
or view them on-line at
www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
7
Open access
Most of Dartmoor’s open
moorland is common land,
which is all owned and subject
to the rights of commoners.
The most important right of
common is the grazing of
cattle, sheep and ponies.
The vast areas of open country
on north and south Dartmoor
are mainly common land.
There are also smaller areas
of common land throughout
the National Park, especially
on the eastern side. The
public has had a legal right of
access on foot, and horseback,
to these areas since 1985.
W h e re y o u c a n w a l k
New access opportunities
under the Countryside and
Rights of Way Act 2000
The Dartmoor Commons
Open access
W h e re y o u c a n w a l k
What you can do there
Restrictions
The CRoW Act rights cover
most recreational activities
carried out on foot, including
walking, sightseeing, birdwatching, climbing and
running. Dogs are generally
welcome with their owners,
but owners must be aware of
when they have to keep their
animals on leads and when
specific exclusions are applied
to dogs.
Unlike the Dartmoor Commons
and access agreement areas,
access to land defined as
CRoW Act ‘open country’
may be restricted.
There is no right of access at
any time to ‘excepted land’,
which includes buildings and
private gardens, land within
20 metres from a dwelling or
a building used for housing
livestock (even though they
may appear as access land
on the Ordnance Survey and
open access website maps).
Most land mapped as ‘open
country‘ is not ‘excepted
land’, but access may be
restricted in other ways.
There are restrictions on the
right of access which apply
to all land, at all times.
For example, you are not
allowed to ride a bicycle or
horse or to bring any animal
other than a dog onto the
access land. Throughout the
months of March, April, May,
June and July any dog must
be kept on a short lead, and
at all times when in the
vicinity of livestock.
The right of open access is
only for walkers but does not
prevent people carrying out
other lawful and customary
activities. While you may
enjoy a picnic, you may not
light or cause a fire, feed any
animals, leave litter or do any
damage. Camping is not
allowed without the express
permission of the landowner.
The National Park Authority’s
Ranger Service has consulted
with land managers to provide
appropriate access points and
associated signage to such
land. For nature conservation
and other land management
reasons, please heed all signs.
8
These and similar restrictions
might limit walkers to linear
routes at certain times of
the year, or temporarily
exclude access with dogs
from a field used for lambing.
In exceptional circumstances
walkers may even be
excluded altogether.
However, such restrictions,
will be rare, and information
will be made widely available.
How do restrictions affect
Rights of Way?
• Restrictions and closures
of CRoW Act land will not
affect rights of way over
the land
• You can still use rights of
way even if the
surrounding land is closed
or restricted • BUT you will have to stay
on the line of the right
of way.
Landowners also have the
right to close their land for
up to 28 days each year,
without reason. The law
does not require landowners
to give more than several
days’ notice of such a closure.
In some circumstances as little
as 2 hours’ notice is allowed.
Whilst landowners are not
expected to make widespread
use of these restrictions,
walkers must be aware that
access may legitimately be
denied, and at short notice.
Anybody planning to walk
on CRoW Act land will need
How can you find out about
restrictions and closures?
Information will be available
on the national website
www.open access.gov.uk
‘view access land maps’ section.
Phone the
Open Access Contact Centre
(Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm)
on 0845 100 3298
Visit a Dartmoor National
Park Authority Information
Centre.
9
Open access
to check the most up to date
information, to make sure
that there has not been a
last minute closure.
W h e re y o u c a n w a l k
Access may be further
restricted to safeguard
heritage or wildlife interests,
or for reasons of public safety.
W h e re y o u c a n w a l k
Open access / Linear access
Access Agreement areas
Linear access
By agreement with
landowners, the National Park
Authority has secured public
access to other areas of land,
many of which have been
mapped as ‘open country’.
Over the next few years, as the
opportunity arises to terminate
these agreements, access will
gradually change from being
‘permissive’ to being a
statutory right. This is likely to
make little or no difference to
walkers, but please heed any
notices and remember to abide
by the Dartmoor National Park
Byelaws which apply to most
access agreement areas.
Public Rights of Way
There is a legal right to walk
on footpaths, bridleways and
byways (of which there are
over 450 miles (730 km) within
the National Park).
There are several types of
public right of way:
• a footpath may be used
for walking;
• a bridleway may be used
for riding or leading a horse,
as well as for walking.
Cycling is also permitted,
providing the cyclists give
way to riders and
pedestrians;
• a byway open to all traffic
(usually called a ‘byway’)
is used for walking, riding,
leading a horse or cycling.
There is also a right to use
any kind of wheeled vehicle,
including motor cars and
horse-drawn vehicles.
Permitted open country
access
There are other areas in
the National Park where the
public has open access, for
example Forestry Commission
woodlands and some
National Trust land. Local
on the ground information
is usually provided to help
you identify and explore
such areas.
Rights of way are recorded
on the ‘definitive map’ kept
by the highway authority,
Devon County Council. They
are also shown on Ordnance
Survey Explorer and
Landranger maps.
10
Land managers may let you
use some paths and tracks that
are not public rights of way.
These are called ‘permissive
paths’. You don’t have a
statutory right to use them
and they are not covered by
rights of way legislation. Often
there will be a notice and/or
waymarking at key access
points. Many permitted paths
will cross farmland - please
heed appropriate signage.
The Dartmoor Local
Access Forum
This is a statutory and
independent forum set up
by the Countryside and
Rights of Way Act 2000.
It brings together the views
of landowners, recreation
users and other special
interests. The Dartmoor Local
Access Forum (LAF) provides
advice to the National Park
Authority, and also to the
local highway authority
and government agencies,
on all access and countryside
recreation issues. The Forum
comprises people drawn
from a range of backgrounds
including walking, climbing,
cycling, riding, land owning,
farming, conservation,
education, rural businesses,
and specialist or minority
interests.
Public access
on Dartmoor
Dartmoor National
Park Authority’s role
On Dartmoor, the National
Park Authority is largely
responsible for managing
access to open country and
the rights of way network.
It aims to help you make the
most of your visit, and to
ensure the landscape is
protected, by providing signs,
gates, stiles and information.
It works closely with land
managers and farmers, and in
partnership with organisations
making specialist use of the
moorland, such as education
For information about the
LAF contact
localaccessforum@
dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
11
Public access on Dartmoor
and conservation groups.
It also promotes the use
of public transport and
opportunities for access for all.
Dartmoor National Park Authority’s role and Dartmoor Local Access Forum
Permissive paths
K n o w i n g w h e re t o g o a n d w h a t y o u c a n d o
Knowing where
to go and what you
can do
•
Dartmoor - a great place not
just for walking, but also
cycling, horse riding,
canoeing, climbing, camping,
picnicking, watching wildlife,
and many other activities.
•
• Call in at one of the
Dartmoor National Park
Authority’s Information
Centres: High Moorland
Visitor Centre, Princetown
(open all year,
tel: (01822) 890414),
Postbridge, Haytor or
Newbridge (minimum
opening Easter - end of
October). Staff will help
you with your access
enquiries including where
to go, when you can go,
what you can do, and how
you can help to look after
Dartmoor. Information on
guided walks, and to help
those persons with mobility
problems enjoy the
countryside, is also
available.
•
•
•
•
12
Other local Information
Centres will also be able
to help you.
Visit
www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
for information on
public access and
recreational activities
in the National Park.
Visit
www.openacess.gov.uk
for updates on closures
and restrictions, and
where to go.
www.countrysideaccess.
gov.uk
for access to the
countryside generally.
Phone the national
Open Access Contact Centre
helpline 0845 100 3298
(9am - 5pm Mon - Fri)
for enquiries about new
rights of access (for land
managers and visitors).
Use new Ordnance Survey
Explorer Maps.
Check local public
transport options - tel:
Traveline 0870 608 2608
www.traveline.org.uk
Check the weather - tel:
Weathercall 09014 722054
www.meto.gov.uk
Maps
If you encounter any
problems on access land or
public rights of way please
report them to the Dartmoor
National Park Authority
giving as much information
as possible about what was
wrong, where and when.
With a dedicated, large-scale
map you can plan and
follow a route through the
countryside. The most useful
Ordnance Survey map to
help you enjoy Dartmoor is
the 1:25,000 Explorer series.
The scale is 2.5 inches to
1 mile, (4cm to 1km).
All public rights of way
are shown in green and are
based on information from
the highway authority’s
definitive map. New Explorer
maps also show land that has
area wide access on foot.
Finding your way
On the ground
On Dartmoor, this
symbol is currently
being used to
inform you that
you are entering
CRoW Act access land.
However, please note:
This symbol
indicates that there
are no area access
rights beyond where
the symbol is located.
• all access land, whether
common land, CRoW Act
land or other, is shown in
the same colour (a yellow
colour wash on post July
2005 published maps);
• no access points are shown;
Dartmoor National Park
Authority Information
Centres will be able to
help you identify where
these are.
Look out for
public rights of way
signposts, and waymarks
where appropriate. In
addition to waymarking,
there are some routes for
walkers that are marked with
their own distinctive symbols
to identify the route and
help people to follow it.
Footpath to Postbridge
13
Finding your way
Reporting problems
Safety for the walker
Military training on Dartmoor and access implications
Safety for the
walker
When wishing to use these
areas, the firing times must
be checked and warning
signals (red flags by day and
red lamps at night) heeded.
Military training
on Dartmoor and
access implications
Dartmoor has been used for
military training since the
early 1800s. There is always
a risk you could come across
unexploded ordnance
anywhere on the moor.
Please do not touch or
tamper with any strange or
metal object, it may be
dangerous. Leave it alone,
mark and note the location,
and inform the Commandant,
Okehampton Camp, or
the police.
Military Ranges and
Training Areas
The Ministry of Defence has
a training area on northern
Dartmoor which comprises
three live firing ranges
(Okehampton, Merrivale
and Willsworthy ranges).
The public has access to these
moorland areas except when
the ranges are in use for live
firing. The boundaries of the
three Range Danger Areas
are marked on the ground
by a series of red and white
posts with warning notices.
16
The public has guaranteed
access to the ranges at
certain times of the year
including public holidays
and 1 - 31 August inclusive.
At other times, the public
has access when firing is
not programmed. The firing
programme for the following
week is published in local
newspapers, at Information
Centres, and is available on
freephone 0800 4584868 and
On post July 2005 Ordnance
Survey Dartmoor Explorer
Maps the Range Danger
Areas are depicted as follows:
• even though public access
may be available at times,
there will be no yellow tint
(which is used on the maps
to depict access land)
within the Range Danger
Area boundaries
• each of the three Range
Danger Areas is shown
individually. Each is
symbolised by inward
facing solid red triangles
but where they share a
boundary there are two
lines of red triangles, one
facing in each direction
• each Range Danger Area
is labelled as follows:
www.dartmoor-ranges.co.uk
BBC Radio Devon broadcasts
daily updates.
If the red flags are not
hoisted by 0900 hours from
April to September inclusive,
and by 1000 hours from
October to March inclusive,
no live firing will take place
that day.
When there is no live firing,
users are welcome and share
with the military Dartmoor’s
rugged terrain and
challenging climate. The
military endeavour not to
inconvenience other users.
Name of Range Danger Area
Access may be restricted
For information visit
www.mod.uk/access
or tel: 0800 458 4868
17
Safety for the walker
Any sounds of firing you may
hear will be blank ammunition
and pyrotechnics.
Military training on Dartmoor and access implications
Range Danger Areas Firing Programmes
General safety advice
Safety for the walker
General safety advice
• Plan your route carefully
and estimate how long it
will take. Remember that
much of high Dartmoor is
boggy, especially at the
heads of rivers and streams.
Such areas may be
impassable, especially
during winter months.
• Dartmoor’s rivers rise very
rapidly after heavy rain
and can be dangerous
to cross. When planning
your route, take into
account that river crossings
may not be possible.
• Eat a good breakfast
- it is the most important
meal of the day.
Walking uses a lot of
energy; ensure that you
take sufficient provisions,
and stop to eat and
drink regularly.
If you are planning to walk
in areas of open country
preparation is essential to
help you cope with sudden
changes in the weather, to
find your way in poor
visibility and to know how
to avoid suffering from
exposure. If you do lose your
way, or if you hurt yourself,
it may be some time before
anyone finds you.
Before you go
• Check the weather
(see page 12).
• Check the firing times for
the Range Danger Areas if
walking on north Dartmoor
(see page 17).
18
• Mist is a frequent hazard
on Dartmoor. When
walking, know at all times
exactly where you are.
• If the weather deteriorates
do not hesitate to turn back.
• Use stiles and gates to
cross boundaries - do not
climb walls or fences.
• Do not pick up any strange
or metal objects especially
in or near a Range Danger
Area. Report the location
of anything suspicious to
the Police.
• Keep away from all
moorland livestock which
can be unpredictable in
their behaviour.
• If in doubt about crossing a
river find a bridge or crossing
point, or go upstream to a
position where the river is
easier to cross, or walk
down off the moor.
• Heed all signs, e.g. advice
to avoid hazards and
sensitive habitats.
• Litter is not only unsightly
- it can cause fires and may
injure people, livestock
and wildlife. Take your
litter home.
19
General safety advice
On the ground
Safety for the walker
• Wear and carry the right
equipment. Make sure you
know how to use a largescale map and compass and have both with you.
• Proper footwear is
essential. Most of the
moorland terrain is
uneven. Some slopes
around tors are strewn
with rocks, which may or
may not be covered with
vegetation, and are
particularly hazardous.
• Remember that most
rucksacks are not
waterproof. Use a plastic
liner inside the rucksack
and put your spare dry
clothes in a plastic bag.
• If appropriate, leave details
of your route, destination
and estimated time of
arrival with a responsible
person. Don’t forget to
report your return.
• Unless you are experienced,
do not walk alone in very
remote country.
How you can help to look after Dartmoor
How you can
help to look
after Dartmoor
The Countryside Code and
taking Moor Care
The Countryside Code, which
helps clarify the rights and
responsibilities of both the
public and those who
manage the land, can do
much to ensure everyone has
a safe and enjoyable day out.
Also, you can help to look
after Dartmoor by following
some Moor Care guidelines.
When in the countryside
please:
Be safe - plan ahead
and follow any signs
• Get the latest information
about where and when
you can go.
• You’re responsible for
your own safety and for
others in your care.
• Be prepared for changes
in the weather and other
events; check weather
forecasts before you leave.
... and, in particular, when
on Dartmoor please:
know your rights of
access to different
kinds of open country,
including where you can
walk, horse ride, backpack,
climb and cycle;
Images © Aardman Animation Ltd 2004
20
be aware that the
Ministry of Defence
has a training area on
northern Dartmoor which
comprises three live firing
ranges. When wishing to
walk or ride in these areas,
the firing times must be
checked and warning
signals heeded.
Protect plants and animals,
and take your litter home
• Litter and leftover food
doesn’t just spoil the
beauty of the countryside,
it can be dangerous to
wildlife and farm animals
and can spread disease so take your litter home
with you. Dropping litter
and dumping rubbish are
criminal offences.
• Take special care not
to damage, destroy or
remove features such
as rocks, plants and trees.
• Fires can be as devastating
to wildlife and habitats
as they are to people
and property.
Leave gates and property
as you find them
• Use gates and stiles climbing over walls, hedges
and fences can damage
them and increases the risk
of farm animals escaping.
• Leave gates as you find
them or follow instructions
on signs.
• In fields where crops are
growing follow the paths
wherever possible.
• Be careful not to disturb
ruins and historic sites.
21
How you can help to look after Dartmoor
• Leave machinery and
livestock alone.
• Don’t interfere with
animals even if you think
they’re in distress - try to
alert the farmer instead.
be aware that
Dartmoor’s weather
can change rapidly.
When venturing into open
country ensure you are
correctly clothed and
equipped. Always carry a
map and compass and know
how to use them;
How you can help to look after Dartmoor
Prevent uncontrolled
moorland fires.
Moorland vegetation
can be dry at any time of
the year.
• You should keep your dog
on a short lead on areas of
open country and common
land between 1 March and
31 July to avoid worrying
lambs and ewes, and
disturbing ground nesting
birds, and at all times near
farm animals.
(Please see pages 24 -25
for more information on
You and Your Dog in the
Countryside)
Sometimes, controlled fires
are used to manage
vegetation, particularly on
heaths and moors between
1 October and early April, so
please check that a fire is not
supervised before calling 999.
Consider other people
Remember that wild
animals, ponies and
livestock can behave
unpredictably if you get too
close, especially if they’re with
their young - so give them
plenty of space. Please do not
feed the ponies; it encourages
them to the roadside where
they can be killed or injured,
and our food is not their
natural diet.
• Slow down on country
roads and be aware of
other road users including
farmers, walkers cyclists
and horse riders. If
possible, leave your vehicle
at home, consider sharing
lifts or use alternatives such
as public transport or
cycling. For public
transport information, tel:
Traveline on 0870 608 2608.
• Respect the needs of local
people - for example,
don’t block gateways
or driveways with
your vehicle.
• Help support the rural
economy - buy your
supplies from local shops.
Keep dogs under close
control
• By law, you must
control your dog at
all times so that it
does not disturb or
scare farm animals
or wildlife.
Image © Aardman Animation Ltd 2004
22
Many people extend their
walk on Dartmoor to several
days or longer, carrying their
tent and enjoying the
freedom of wild country.
Please ensure that you know
where you can camp.
Also, when on Dartmoor:
• if you do have to use a car,
park sensibly using only
hardened parking areas
in wet weather.
• if you are following the
line of an eroded path
please stick to it, and avoid
widening it by walking in
single file if necessary.
• respect signs asking you to
avoid badly eroded paths.
• avoid climbing straight
up or down steep hills.
Take a winding route
to avoid damage.
• when the ground is wet,
plan your route carefully
and use hard surfaces where
possible thus avoiding
vulnerable, waterlogged
moorland paths.
• contact the National Park
Authority as soon as you
begin to plan any
recreational event on
Dartmoor.
Where you can camp
Dartmoor Commons
Camping is generally allowed:
• on the open moor
(not enclosures) more than
100 metres from a road
• for up to 2 consecutive
nights in the same place.
Camping is not allowed in
certain places specifically
named in the byelaw
schedules, nor on flood plains
and archaeological sites.
CRoW Act access land
Camping is not allowed at
all (without the express
permission of the landowner).
For a list of camp sites please
see the Dartmoor Visitor
publication.
Take Moor Care when
camping
• Take all litter home,
guard against risk of fire,
and ensure you do not
pollute streams or rivers.
23
Backpacking
Backpacking
How you can help to look after Dartmoor
If you use a car, protect
people, ponies, cattle
and sheep by keeping
within the 40 mph speed
limit on moorland roads.
You and your dog in the countryside
How you can help to look after Dartmoor
You and your dog
in the countryside
On most areas of open
country and common land,
you should keep your dog
on a short lead between
1 March and 31 July and all year round near
farm animals.
• you do not have to put
your dog on a lead on
public paths, as long as
it is under close control.
But as a general rule,
keep your dog on a lead
if you cannot rely on its
obedience. However, on
Dartmoor you can also
help by having your dog
on a lead during the
lambing season on enclosed
farmland (1 December 31 July). By law, farmers
are entitled to shoot a
dog that injures or worries
their animals.
The countryside is a working
landscape, and your actions
can affect livelihoods, our
heritage, and the safety
and welfare of people and
animals. If you take your dog
into the countryside, it is
important to keep it under
proper control and to clean
up after it.
Some steps to worry-free
‘walkies’:
• by law, you must control
your dog so that it does
not scare, worry or disturb
farm animals or wildlife
such as ground nesting birds
(whose young will soon
die without protection
from their parents).
Image © Aardman Animation Ltd 2004
24
25
You and your dog in the countryside
You may find out more about
walking your dog in the
countryside from
www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
by e-mailing
openaccess@countryside.gov.uk
or by calling 0845 100 3298;
or pick up the leaflet You and
your dog in the countryside
produced by the Countryside
Agency, English Nature and
the Kennel Club from which
the six steps to worry free
‘walkies’ guidelines have
been extracted.
How you can help to look after Dartmoor
Wherever you go, following
these steps will help keep
your pet safe, protect the
environment, and show you
are a responsible dog owner.
• if a farm animal chases you
and your dog, it is safer to
let your dog off the lead
- don’t risk getting hurt
by trying to protect it.
• everyone knows how
unpleasant dog mess is
and it can cause infections,
so always clean up after
your dog and get rid of
the mess responsibly.
Also, make sure your dog
is wormed regularly to
protect it, other animals
and people.
• at certain times, dogs may
not be allowed on some
areas of access land or
may need to be kept on
a lead. Please follow any
official signs.
Open access on Dartmoor
(diagrammatic only, as at 28 August 2005)
Key
Common Land
Countryside and
Rights of Way Act
2000 Access Land
Access Agreement
Land
Range Danger
Area
NOTE: In addition to this open
access, the public also continues
to have access on foot to many
forest areas on Dartmoor which
are not shown on this map.
Dartmoor National
Park Boundary
Road
Dartmoor National
Park Authority
Information
Centres
* The Dartmoor National
Park Authority has published
Moor Care Codes of Conduct
for some recreational activities.
Information
Centres
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved.
Dartmoor National Park Authority 100024842 2005.
Use of this image is limited to viewing on-line
and printing one copy.
Find out more from an
Information Centre or visit
www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
Dartmoor’s Open Country Walking - an open access checklist
Access status
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
access land
Dartmoor common land
understanding how this symbol is
being used on the ground on Dartmoor
this symbol is currently being used to
inform you that you are entering land
with CRoW Act access
understanding how this symbol is
being used on the ground on Dartmoor
this symbol is being used to clarify the
limits of open access rights in a particular
area
Access agreement land
checking firing times
yes, before walking on the north moor in the Okehampton, Willsworthy and Merrivale Range Danger Areas (see page 17)
checking for other access closures and restrictions
generally no need
camping (whilst backpacking)
generally allowed, but please check with no camping without the express
an Information Centre for particular areas permission of the land owner
where backpacking is not allowed. Please
follow the Camping Code of Conduct*
walking your dog
because of nature conservation or other
reasons, access with dogs may be restricted
in some areas. Please heed signs
during the lambing and ground nesting bird season, from 1 March - 31 July, dogs should be on fixed leads no more than
2 metres long. At all other times dogs must be under close control and should be on a lead when near livestock.
Always heed local signs (see page 24)
climbing
yes, but please follow the Climbing Code of Conduct*
cycling
generally no, except on Bridleways and Byways Open To All Traffic and permitted and designated cycle routes.
Where cycling is allowed, please follow the Code of Conduct for Cycling*
horse riding
yes, but please follow the
Horse riding Code of Conduct*
generally no, except on Bridleways and Byways Open To All Traffic.
Where riding has been customarily allowed
the activity is expected to continue.
Where allowed please follow the
Horse riding Code of Conduct*
letterboxing
generally yes, but please follow the
Letterboxing Code of Conduct*
generally no
no
using metal detectors
no
no
no
picnicking
yes
yes
yes
being prepared
always be appropriately prepared when walking on open country (see page 18)
respecting, protecting and enjoying Dartmoor
follow the Countryside Code and Moor Care guidelines (see page 20)
please check - land may be closed or have generally no need
restrictions in place (see page 9)
14-15
no
no