UKC

I'm at the very early stages of plotting a Dartmoor crossing for sometime next year (likely early summer) and have found a couple of route cards on this site, but struggling to find a way which doesn't pass through (if you're lucky...) the infamous man-eating bogs. I was hoping that someone with some local knowledge might be able to give me some tips or directions...or am I asking the impossible?!

Any and all recommendations welcome (it would likely be a 2/3 day trip, so camping locations also welcome).

thanks

OP

on the west side and east side are a number of old mine tracks which help but straight up the middle will be trickier to stay dry!

I'd recommend the route known as Dartmoors Ancient Boundary Perambulation... it takes in all the sights, highest and lowest points, plus great historical sights. Plenty of good camping to be had, both wild and just off the beaten track. Possible to bunkhouse or camping pod it too.

It's definitely possible to avoid bogs, assuming rhe weather has been reasonable. There's a section between hangingstone and whitehorse that can be bad, but there's a pass on the east side which is easy enough to find. 

Depends which way you go from there. If you head down to Huccaby, then up to Ryders Hill, the only bit that could be boggy would be between Ryders and red lake, which again is fine in a normal summer.

Ive also done it going over towards 2 bridges after whitehorse, and that was fine in June. 

In summary, it'll ve fine! 

I've walked north to south a couple of times and both times I've avoided bogs.

Both times I got the train to Okehampton then walked south towards Princetown. Then on day two walked through to Ivybridge to get the train home. 

I've done it in November and April, the weather was awful both times. 

If you'd like GPX routes just email me at [email protected] and I'll get back to you. If more info needed you can call me on 07985 201719 

Cheers

2-3 days gives you much more time than is needed for a Dartmoor crossing. Okehampton to Ivybridge is about 28 miles.  

With 2-3 days I would look at a circular route to make logistics simpler.

Early summer is a great time to be there so you should be fine.

My suggestion.

Okehampton

Belstone Tor

Oke Tor

Hangingstone Hill

Sittaford Ford

Warren House Inn

Grimspound 

Hameldown

Widecombe

Bone Hill

Hound Tor

Haytor

Saddle Tor

Rippon Tor

Dartmeet

Huccaby

Hexworthy

Tor Royal

Nuns Cross Farm

Devonport Leat to Black Tor

King Tor

Dartmoor Inn (Merrivale)

Staple Tor

Roos Tor

Lynch Tor

Hare Tor

Kitty Tor

High Willhays

Yes Tor

That would get you around some mixed terrain with lots of great views and engagement in Dartmoor heritage and you finish on the highest points before dropping back down to Okehampton. Lots of options there for wild camping and site camping as well. Enjoy it!

Some great suggestions on here. In a few days you could do the crossing twice,  or wander around a bit?

My route for a direct straight line is...Okey, Hangingstone Hill (via Army track), Quintins Man, then due S past both mock and real Statts House. Cross East D in Sandy Hole, then Lower White, and contour across to the gate next to Cherrybrook Hotel.

Then FP across Mudilake,  Prince Hall track to Dartmoor Training Centre.  Off paths across to the Swincombe and cross at the Island. Childes Tomb, Fox Tor, direct to Redlake (no easy way, but good for the soul...). Then tramway down to Ivybridge. Lovely. 

Over a few days you could wander our west, stop a night at Fox and Hounds (bunkhouse and campsite), then to Princetown for another stop over, via Lane End, Standon Steps, Bagga Tor, Whitebarrow,  Gt Mis, and North Hessary. Last day follow Abbots Way from Princetown as far as Crossways and then down the Redlake Track to Ivybridge for an easy finish!

Wow, thanks all, some really good suggestions, particularly the "Perambulation" and the idea of a circular walk in general (the crossing was only really to walk from station to station and it would have been a bit contrived to take 3 days for it, even at my pace!)

OP

Wow, that's some circuit  but it certainly takes in many good bits of the Moor. It can be tricky with a few dicey river crossings at this time of year, but after a dry week in May/June it should be excellent. I've crossed Fox Tor Mire in summer and winter and the difference is remarkable. Try and stick to good paths if possible, as walking on some of the tufty long grass can be hard work, especially on the ankles. Enjoy!