Nordic Walking Devon

16/04/2026

If you're in the Haytor area, Rippon Tor Cross really is a wonderful find – it's a natural granite cross carved into the landscape!
Set into the slope, the rock is about 2M long and is quite remarkable.

The reason why it is there is unknown, but several explanations have been proposed. One view is that it was intentionally carved in relief on the boulder during the Medieval period and left in place to ward off evil influences, especially given the presence of the nearby Bronze Age burial cairns, also found at Rippon Tor. Another interpretation suggests it was an unfinished cross that was meant to be cut free and erected elsewhere as a waymarker, but the work was abandoned when the stone proved too weak, and parts of the carving were damaged. A third possibility is that it was created on the spot as a memorial to someone, rather than as a protective symbol or a portable marker.

If you would like to see it. ⬇️

Location: Rippon Tor north-west of the Summit. Grid Ref SX/74662

This cross features in my guided walk next Friday, along with a visit to the Commandment Stones at Buckland Beacon. For details, see www.nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk



A great afternoon out with Sarah from Bunny Brewer Health & Beauty followed by refreshments at The Moorlands Hotel, Haytor

15/04/2026

Have a look at this research that concludes that outdoor walking, as part of a group, has measurable health benefits.
If you would like to see more of Devon, and get fitter as part of a friendly group, have a look at my website which lists my Dartmoor walks aling with my forest fitness class at Haldon Forest Park - Forestry England
Hope to meet you soon.
Fiona - British Nordic Walking Instructor.
Www.nordicwalkindevon.co.uk

Walking with others is more powerful than many people realise.

A systematic review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine looked at 42 studies involving more than 1,800 participants and found that outdoor walking groups deliver wide-ranging health benefits. Researchers recorded measurable improvements in blood pressure, resting heart rate, body fat, fitness levels, and depression scores among participants.

The study concluded that walking groups are safe, effective, and a practical way to improve health while helping people stay active long term.

This is exactly why British Nordic Walking trains instructors across the UK to run professionally led Nordic walking groups using the INWA 10 Step Method™. These sessions combine the physical benefits of walking with expert instruction, technique, and the motivation that comes from walking with others.

If you are looking for a supportive way to improve fitness and wellbeing, joining a Nordic walking group led by a qualified instructor is a great place to start.

Read the research: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/11/710

📞 01332 504 949
📧 info@britishnordicwalking.org.uk
🌐 www.britishnordicwalking.org.uk

Official UK representative of the International Nordic Walking Federation (INWA)
& INWA 10 Step Method™.

27/03/2026

If you have limited mobility, you can still enjoy Dartmoor with these Miles Without Stiles routes.

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23/03/2026

Well done to everyone who attended my Nordic Forest Fitness class at Haldon today. This week we discussed heart rate monitoring and how the various hills are great for interval training.
Raising your heart rate for 150 minutes a week can really make a diffence to overall physical health. And doing this in a beautiful forest setting can really lift your spirits.

Who needs the gym when we have a fabulous forest on our doorstep.

Hope you can join us soon. See www.nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk

22/03/2026

Fab day for a Dartmoor walk reccy. This time exploring the cascades and rapids of the East Dart Waterfall, (north of Postbridge), along with the Grey Wethers double stone circles.
The circles are called Grey Wethers, as from a distance the stones are thought to resemble sheep or wethers, an alternative name for a sheep.
For Dartmoor 365's the waterfall is square I10 and the Grey Wethers H10.
Also of interest near Sittaford Tor was what looks like a large glacial erractic (an out of character boulder) left on the landscape.

Yet another amazing part of Dartmoor for us all to enjoy!

Hope you can join me for a walk soon.

11/03/2026

I must go up to Haldon in the evening. I bet it's a really special time.

Happy 💚
Did you know our woodlands give wildlife over a quarter of a million hectares to call home? 🦌
Over half of England’s rarest species can be found in the nation’s forests, including red squirrels, water voles, goshawks, nightjars and ospreys 🪺

Here at Haldon we are delighted and lucky to have a many nightjar that call our forest home 💚
If you come up in the summer on a still calm evening you maybe able to hear them or if you're really lucky see one!

08/03/2026

Great post from Parkinson's South West on how exercise can help manage symptoms.

Physical activity has a positive impact both physically and mentally. It can be as important as getting the right dose of medication.

Being active is important for everyone. It can make you feel good inside and out. It can maintain your health. It can lift your mood. And if you have Parkinson’s, it can help manage your symptoms. The more physically active you are, the easier it is to live well with Parkinson’s.

We are fortunate in the South West to work with some amazing physical activity providers as well our local groups, many of which offer regular physical activity alongside their support group meetings.

Find out more what is happening in your local area and maybe give something new a go: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information/treatments/physical-activity-and-exercise

26/02/2026

Great to get out on a Mountain Training Association peer led night navigation session last night. It was suitably foggy to start with, enabling us to practice micro-navigation in low visibility conditions.
Really grateful to the session co-ordinators who help to keep our skills up to date.
An invigorating way to spend a Wednesday evening! Meanwhile my partner and son were having a slap up meal in the Moorland Hotel!

22/02/2026

Love this. Who knew there were 20 different tree species at Haldon Forest Park.
I'll definitely look out for these tomorrow.

21/02/2026

🌸Love Dartmoor this Spring!🌸

Do a Friday walk once a month with Hill and Moorland Walk Leader Fiona Swan. See the Feb to April walks below. 👇

All walks have been planned with variety in mind and a focus on enjoying the moor.

Please note, that with this year's exceptional rain, adaptations to routes will be made if necessary. Surprisingly, the area around Mis Tor and The Merrivale Complex was quite well drained last weekend when I was out on a walk reccy.

If you would like to attend any of the walks, please email fiona@nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk, and full details will be sent to you.

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FRIDAY DARTMOOR WALKS – 2026

Explore Dartmoor with one of my day walks – take time to enjoy the view, take pictures, picnic and enjoy! Discover more about the nature and rich industrial heritage of Dartmoor. Feel free to use Nordic or other walking poles.

Is the walk right for me?

Please note that a moderate to good level of fitness is required for these walks. The walks show the distance, the minimum walking time, and the amount of ascent to help you decide if it's right for you.

What constitutes a challenge can be very subjective, so please contact Fiona to discuss any concerns around your fitness levels.

The walks Feb - April - See the rest of the year's walks at www.nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk

Friday 27th Feb – 10.00 – 2.30pm – Badgers Holt, Corndon Down and Yartor
From Badgers Holt, walk part of the East Dart River to open moorland rich in history and intrigue. Taking in fine views from Corndon Down visit Yar Tor and the distinctive Sharp Tor (filming site of Werwulf). We also visit various points of interest, (that feature in the John Haywood’s Dartmoor 365 book) such as the Coffin Stone (N13), the Money Pit (N14) as well as the WW1Memorial Cross on Corndon Down.
Distance – 5.8 miles, Elevation 1077ft Terrain: Moorland paths & open moorland. Time: Minimum 3 hours of walking with plenty of stops and rest.
Level: Moderate

Friday 27th March 10.00 – 2.30pm – Foggin Tor Quarry, Kings Tor, Merrivale Stone Rows, and Great Mis Tor
See evidence of Dartmoor throughout the ages with this varied walk to the NW of Princetown. From the SW slopes of Great Mis Tor see Pillow mounds, evidence of past rabbit farming and open cast mining. At Great Mis Tor enjoy fabulous views before descending a main track back towards Foggin Tor quarry and Kings Tor. The walk completes with a visit to the Merivale Stone Rows and Cairns, where time is taken to sit and marvel at just how extraordinary they are.
Distance – 6.5 miles, Elevation 863ft Terrain: Moorland paths, tracks, disused railway line & open moorland. Time: Minimum 3hrs.10mins walking with plenty of stops and rest.
Level: Moderate

Friday 24th April 10.30 – 2.30pm – 4 Tors, Buckland Beacon & The Ten Commandments Stone
Starting with fine moorland views from Saddle Tor walk via Hemsworth gate onto Top Tor and Pil Tor overlooking Foal s Arrishes Settlement. Crossing Blackslade Ford we then cross Buckland Common to Buckland Beacon and the unique 10 Commandments Stone. Return via Rushslade Common and finally Rippon Tor, one of the highest points on this part of the moor, with cairns, evidence of tin mining and the half-finished cross.
Distance – 6.43 Miles, Elevation 967ft Terrain: Open moorland, moorland paths, country road. Time: Minimum 4.14 hours of walking with plenty of stops and rest.
Level: Moderate

See more at www.nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk

Group size limited to 10.

To reserve a place, please book via email to fiona@nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk.

COSTS
£20 per walk
Or book 10 walks for £100 – Please note all ten walks must be completed in 2026
Book 5 walks for - £62.50
A payment link will be sent to you upon booking.

Thanks, and I hope to meet you soon.

Fiona