Here are our favourite outdoor activities for go-getters in Dartmoor:

Exploring the River Dart

The River Dart is brilliant for water-based play, whether you are a seasoned white-water kayaker looking to paddle the furious rapids of the Upper Dart or are a first-timer planning to join up with a guided group. Combining beautiful scenery with exhilarating adventure, this river has unsurprisingly bagged itself a reputation as one of the most reliable for kayaking in the UK and offers something for all abilities. If you are starting out, the Lower Dart is great for beginners, while the ‘Loop’ is one of the best sections for intermediates. 

Dartmoor 365

Whether you are visiting for the first or fiftieth time, you will always find something new to discover in Dartmoor. A particularly engaging way to document and track your discoveries, Dartmoor 365 is a new activity capturing the imaginations of all generations. Originating from a book written in the 1990s, ‘Dartmoor 365’ follows the mission of author and Dartmoor-devotee John Hayward who realised that the park was, back then, 365 square miles in size. Deciding to visit every one of these miles, he compiled his notes and sketches and subsequently started a challenge that thousands are continuing to this day.  

Cycling Dartmoor 

With over 200 miles of bridleways and byways in Dartmoor, there are endless varieties of trails to take. Snaking across the National Park, these routes spin you past amazing sights, lead you over hummocky hills and offer the chance to pitstop at a huge number of welcoming cafés along the way too. While cycling across the park’s open moorland is not allowed, there are loads of designated routes like the 11-mile Granite Way and the 24-mile Princetown to Burrator reservoir route. For more options, Haldon Forest Park has tracks ranging from 1 to 6 miles long as well – ideal for beginners.

Letterboxing

Letterboxing started in 1854 when a local man from Chagford, James Perrott, set up a small cairn at Dartmoor’s Cranmere Pool. Inside, he left a glass jar where other visitors could also leave a note of their own. Since then, this highly addictive activity (similar to geocaching) has attracted a huge following, and whilst it is mostly associated with Dartmoor, has become a worldwide sensation. Around Dartmoor alone, there are hundreds of letterboxes where you can collect stamps and write in visitors’ books. That said, it’s easy to miss these ‘letterboxes’ if you’re not on the look-out.

Walking the Wilds 

If you are a go-getter who can’t sit still, you may find yourself tempted to hit the walking trails that weave around Dartmoor National Park. From short circular walks like the 1-mile Burrator Arboretum & Nature Reserve walk to epic linear walks like the 21-mile Drake’s Trail, there is something for everyone. Of course, if you fancy a real challenge, the two most famous long-distance routes include the 102-mile Two Moors Way, which links Dartmoor with Exmoor; and the 108-mile Dartmoor Way, which leads you around the whole National Park. As you go, keep your eyes peeled for the beautiful ponies who have lived on Dartmoor since prehistoric times. You can read more about how to protect Dartmoor’s ponies here.