15/02/2026
🐴Superb walk reccy around The Merrivale Complex and Foggintor Quarry yesterday🐴
What an amazing mix of interest in such a small area!
Starting from the parking (the site of an old school) on the B3357, this walk immediately takes you to 2 parallel Bronze Age stone rows, a stone circle, a standing stone (menhir), and an obvious (Kistvaen) or cist – a Bronze Age burial chamber.
For any Dartmoor 365 ers (M6)
From Kings Tor, a short walk to the SW then brings you to Foggintor Quarry, which is way more dramatic than you might expect. Carved into the landscape, the towering granite overlooks peaceful pools of water, and Dartmoor ponies graze among the relics of buildings gone by!
The views from the South side of the quarry looking North are truly stunning.
Granite from the quarry, which was closed in 1906, is now safely embedded in London Bridge, Dartmoor Prison and the Plymouth Breakwater!
We finished the walk reccy with a visit to the fabulous Dartmoor Inn at Merrivale. Overall, a great day out.
This walk features in my Friday walks programme in March.
To join us please see the details below. ⬇️
Best wishes
Fiona
🌳Explore Dartmoor with one of my day walks in 2026 🌳– take time to enjoy the view, take pictures, picnic and enjoy! Find out more about the nature and rich industrial heritage of Dartmoor. ⛰️
Join me, Fiona Swan, Hill and Moorland Leader, who is outdoor first aid trained and fully insured.
Feel free to use Nordic or other walking poles. Great for steadying and helping with those hills!
Friday Dartmoor 2026 walks programme below. ⬇️
Details and how to book are on my website www.nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk
2026 DARTMOOR PROGRAMME
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
Friday 15th May 10.00– 2.30pm – Dittsworthy Warren Farm, Drizzlecombe Stone Row and Gutter Tor
Starting with fine views across the moor, with an easy ascent to the Trig point at Gutter Tor, we then cross Ringmoor Down to arrive at Legis Tor and Legistor Warren. Here we can see evidence of rabbit farming with Pillow mounds and even a vermin trap. Then following the very pretty River Plym, we eventually arrive at the semi ruined Dittsworthy Warren Farm with evidence of a dog pound and kennels set within the walls. Further down the valley we eventually arrive at the remarkable Drizzlecombe Stone Row and a large cairn known as the Giants Basin. At Higher Hartor we even see a crocodile shaped rock. The return takes us past the large-scale tin mining ruins of Eyesbarrow and an easy return along a main path with fine views of Sheep’s Tor in the distance.
Level: Moderate
Distance – 5.9 miles, Elevation 780ft, Terrain: Moorland paths & open moorland. tracks Time: Minimum 3.50 hours of walking with plenty of stops and rest.
Friday 19th June 10.00– 2.30pm – Two Bridges, The Cowsic River, & The Beardown Man Standing Stone.
From Two Bridges walk the beautiful Cowsic river, eventually arriving at a man-made leat passing through woodland to open moorland with fine views of the valley and Wistman’s wood below. From here ascend to Beardown and Lydford Tors and if ground conditions allow strike out to the remote Beardown Man standing stone at Devils Tor. The return is via Rough Tor and the distinctive Crow Tor and the West Dart valley and a visit to Wistman’s wood.
Please note if waterlogged ground, we will take an alternative low-level route.
Distance – 7.33 Miles, Elevation 961 Terrain: Moorland paths & open moorland. Time: Minimum 4 hours, 42 mins of walking with plenty of stops and rest.
Level: Challenging
Friday 17th July – 10.00 – 3.30pm – The Stone Row at Hingstone Hill, Crazy Well Pool, tin working, Nuns Cross and Devon Port Leat
From Norsworthy Bridge near Burrator this walk visits many fascinating sites across the moor. Initially passing through Norsworthy Plantation, and across Leather Tor Bridge, we quickly arrive at Crazy Well pool and the Devon Port Leat. The leat then leads us to Nuns Cross and Nuns Cross Farm. The return is via Down Tor, and the incredible Bronze Age Stone Row and circle at Hingstone Hill.
Distance – 5.74 miles, Elevation 695. Terrain: Moorland paths & open moorland. Time: Minimum 3 hours 38 mins of walking with plenty of stops and rest.
Level: Moderate
Friday 14th August – 10.00 – 3.30pm – Widgery Cross, Bleak House and the Rattlebrook Railway
Starting near the Dartmoor Inn at Lydford, cross the River Lyn to Brat Tor and Widgery Cross, one of the tallest crosses on Dartmoor, built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. Then via Bleak House ascend to Great Links Tor. We then follow the disused Rattlebrook Railway line to Great Nodden for more fabulous views. The return is along the very pretty river via Noden Gate. (Low visibility option on the day is to walk the West Devon Way, returning via the Granite Way)
Distance – 6.89 miles, Elevation 1201 ft. Terrain: Moorland paths, railway Line & open moorland. Time: Minimum 3.3 hours of walking with plenty of stops and rest.
Level: Moderate
Friday 4th Sept – 10.00 – 3.30pm – Sheep’s Tor, Gutter Tor and Yellowmead Down Stone Circles.
Starting with an easy ascent and views from Gutter Tor, cross Ringmoor Down to Portland Lane which takes us to the charming Sheepstor village with its church and unusual crosses, along with an unusual carving above the church porch. From Sheep’s Tor descend to one of Dartmoor’s gems, Yellowmead Down concentric stone circles.
Distance – 4.28miles, Elevation 749ft. Terrain: Moorland paths & open moorland, minor road. Time: Minimum 2.10 hours of walking with plenty of stops and rest.
Level: Moderate
Friday 16th Oct – 10.00 – 3.30pm – Headland Warren Farm, Hookney Tor, Kings Tor & Grimspound and Golden Dagger Tin works.
Starting at Bennetts Cross explore the moorland East of the Warren House Inn. This fascinating and varied walk includes the remarkable Grimspound, a Bronze Age triple stone row on Challacombe Down, various Tors an Old Leat and the discussed Golden Dagger Tin works.
Distance – 7.4 miles, Elevation 1091ft. Terrain: Moorland paths & open moorland. Time: Minimum 3.5 hours of walking with plenty of stops and rest.
Level: Moderate
Friday 13th Nov – 10.00 – 3.30pm – Fingle Bridge, Hunters Path and Salmons Leap
Enjoy a late autumn walk through the stunning Teign Gorge. Starting at Fingle Bridge walk the Hunters Path, with views high above the gorge, then on through Drewsteignton and Rectory Woods. After a break at the Salmons Leap follow the River Teign to Charles and H**e wood. Finally finishing out walk at the Fingle Bridge Inn.
Level: Moderate
Distance – 7.14 miles, Elevation 1428ft Terrain: Woodland and riverside paths. Time: Minimum 3.45 hours of walking with plenty of stops and rest.
Friday 4th Dec – 10.00 – 1.30pm – Haytor Vale, a Quarryman’s hut and refreshments at the Moorland Hotel
As the days draw in enjoy a short winter walk from the Moorland Hotel, Haytor. Stride out across Haytor down to Smallcombe Rocks, where we then join the Granite Tramway to visit a tinner Hut near Howell Tor. Following the railway line visit Haytor Quarry and the area around Haytor before returning to Moorland Hotel for lunch and refreshments.
Distance – 5.2 miles, Elevation 805 ft. Terrain: Moorland paths, granite railway line & open moorland. Time: Minimum 2.5 hours of walking with plenty of stops and rest.
Level: Moderate
To book, see www.nordicwalkingdevon.co.uk
