Belstone moor, Dartmoor - a little duck dog is exploring different areas for new adventures!

With so much travelling and exploring recently, Oti and I have neglected our local area!
This morning was a perfect chance to find a new route at Belstone, on Dartmoor - we've walked here a few times with friends, but not really had circular routes.

Belstone is actually closer to us than Meldon or Fatherford, our normal go to's, but it's amazing how we get into habits of familiar areas!

*I unfortunately lost some clips as my phone is getting old and steadiness starting to fail - we'll be getting a GoPro 12 when they come out 🙂

I could hear running water, which is always a good thing from a little duck dog's point of view ☺️


'The best village/town from which to walk in Dartmoor National Park. Amazing variety of moorland landscapes, tors and river valleys to explore. If you are a keen walker then Belstone is essential visiting

This beautiful moorland village is located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park's north moor. It's very easily accessible from the A30 which is the major Devon/Cornwall road

Offers access to some superb, if often remote, prehistoric sites

Sits between two extraordinary cleaves or steep-sided valleys. These are particularly impressive in autumn

Great village pub and tea room

Main photo: winter on Dartmoor's north moor. View from Belstone ridge to Oke Tor, Steeperton Tor and Hangingstone Hill on the horizon

 

Where is Belstone in Dartmoor National Park?

Beautiful moorland village located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park's north moor. Travel along the A30 from Devon to Cornwall and you'll skirt the huge, domed Cosdon Hill (Cawsand Hill) that pushes out towards the northern boundary of the National Park. Below the north west fringe of this hill is the beautiful moorland village Belstone.

It's exceptionally popular with walkers looking to explore Dartmoor's north moor and many of its most stunning tors.

 

Directions to Belstone

Follow the A30 to Okehampton. Take the exit on the east side of town by the BP garage. The turning for Belstone is just up the road on your right. A skinny moorland lane takes you to the outskirts of the village.

 

Parking in Belstone

There's a reasonably large car parking area on your left as you enter the village from the A30 direction. Use this and wander into the village as the lanes are skinny and the village very popular.

 
Best things to do in Belstone

To help you choose Belstone, we've listed some of the local attractions below.

 

Walking the high moor

Belstone is one of the best places (and the best village/town) from which to walk in Dartmoor National Park. Wander up into Taw Plain and Taw Marsh for spectacular views of the conical Steeperton Tor.

For the more energetic, head for Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) and then Oke Tor. Try the Belstone and Oke Tor Circular Walk. The walk is superb, takes in many impressive tors and provides fine views of the only two mountains in southern England at Yes Tor and High Willhays.

Extend that walk from Oke Tor to Steeperton Tor for remarkable views of Dartmoor's north moor, Taw Marsh and Mid Devon to Exmoor National Park on the horizon.

For a more difficult walk, slog up the side of Cosdon Hill (Cawsand Hill) to Cosdon Beacon.

If you fancy a challenge, head for Hangingstone Hill and Cranmere Pool on the north plateau. Cranmere Pool is the site of Dartmoor's first letterbox and is a must for any Dartmoor enthusiast.

Last, Belstone is the start, or end, of the tough Dartmoor North To South Walk In A Day.'