When you’re planning a day out with the family, there’s often a lot to think about. The Dartmoor Preservation Association has teamed up with Moorland Guides and Dartmoor Partner to share five easy and scenic routes, which showcase the beauty of Dartmoor, whilst sticking to easy-going terrain that’s suitable for trampers, off-road pushchairs and small feet. From exploring the farm ruins of Deancombe, to discovering paddling spots in the Avon, we’ve got something to appeal to walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and picnickers of all ages. Plus, if you try out all these walks and you’re hungry for more, you can book your own bespoke exploration with Moorland Guides or use the code DPA20% to get discounted membership to Dartmoor Partner and access to over 35 pre-planned routes.
Norsworthy Bridge to Deancombe
W3W: suppers.starts.buzzards
Distance: 2km linear
Duration: 1 hour
Suitable for: Trampers, pushchairs and small feet
Recommended by Helen Bruce of Dartmoor Preservation Association. www.dartmoorpreservation.co.uk
Offering scenic valley views, and woodland wildlife spotting opportunities, this short walk follows a gravel track that was once used to access the old farm at Deancombe. Park in the Norsworthy Bridge carpark and follow the path from the South-East corner of the carpark uphill to a grassy area with a picnic bench. This is a great spot to stop and have a snack before following the track onwards for 1km to the Deancombe farm ruins.
Listen out for woodpeckers in the spring and various wildflowers throughout the summer. The beautiful Narrator Brook Valley can be seen from the path and there are plenty of points where you can pause for a rest or sit and watch the world go by from a picnic blanket.
Once you’ve reached the farm ruins and explored all you wish to, turn around and follow the wide gravel track back to the carpark. There’s often an ice cream van at Norsworthy Bridge carpark on sunny days, and further facilities, including toilets, can be found at the nearby Burrator Dam and Discovery Centre.
Shipley Bridge to Avon Dam
W3W: breaches.vies.riverbank
Distance: 6km linear
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Suitable for: Trampers and pushchairs
Recommended by Hannah Durdin of Moorland Guides. www.moorlandguides.co.uk
This fantastic walk is the perfect family stroll on a gorgeous day and in terms of navigation, it couldn’t be easier. Simply drive to Shipley Bridge car park, where you’ll have to pay a small parking fee but there are free toilets and often a coffee and cake van to make up for it! Then you want to just head to the river and putting the car park behind you, start walking upstream alongside it. This first stretch of the walk is absolutely beautiful as you walk through the trees and alongside the river and you might want to stop but trust us, keep going!
After a while, you’ll cross a bridge and the valley that you’ve been walking through widens as you come out onto the moor itself. You might see ponies or livestock as you wind your way gently up through the valley and up the hill where you’ll soon see Avon Dam in the distance – quite the impressive structure for young and old alike! Just before you reach the dam, you’ll need to veer slightly to the right and then you can make your way up to stop next to the reservoir – the perfect spot for a picnic and some stone skimming.
Then when you’re ready to leave, simply retrace your steps the way you came. This walk offers an easy route to follow, some gorgeous paddling spots and the best of Dartmoor with both temperate rainforest and the wide open moor – the perfect way to wile away a few hours with your little ones!
Bellever Forest
W3W: shepherds.blogs.reckoned
Distance: 4km circular
Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
Suitable for: Trampers and pushchairs
Recommended by Helen Bruce of Dartmoor Preservation Association.
This delightful loop provides spectacular views of Bellever tor, passing through conifer woodland and open moorland. Begin by parking in the Postbridge National Park Visitor Centre, then cross the road into the Forestry England carpark. From the carpark, pass through a gate and follow the main gravel path uphill towards the forest, which offers pleasant shade on hot days and shelter if it’s raining.
Once in the forest, take the first track on the right, which is marked with a mobility scooter symbol. Walk for just under 20 minutes to the next waymarker, directing you to turn left. Follow the path for around 4 minutes and then turn left again, following this new path on to the next main track. Don’t be put off by these multiple turns, as this accessible route is waymarked all the way. Upon meeting the main track, go straight across and follow the path on through the forest, which will then give way to open moorland and you’ll spot the impressive, and enticingly climbable, Bellever Tor. Look out for the Bronze Age stone row alongside the path.
Upon reaching the top of the hill, take a left at the next main track junction and follow this gravel track back through the forest to the carpark. This loop can easily be broken up into smaller sections and you may want to pause for refreshment breaks in the forest. Tree stumps can make excellent ready-made tables and chairs. Toilets are available at the Visitor Centre. There’s also a village shop and the East Dart Inn in Postbridge, where you can top up on snacks or stay for a hot meal.
Ausewell Woods
W3W: elaborate.awoke,waltzed
Distance: 1.9km circular
Duration: 1 hour
Suitable for: Trampers, pushchairs and small feet
Recommended by Jack Dicker of Dartmoor Partner. www.dartmoorpartner.co.uk
Ausewell Woods is an easy, reliable woodland walk just outside Ashburton in South-East Dartmoor, and a great option for families with younger children or anyone needing a buggy-friendly route. It’s simple to follow, gently undulating, and gives kids plenty of space to move without you needing to think too much about the terrain. It’s perfect for quickly setting up portable swings and hammocks with great views over the River Dart valley.
Start from the parking area and head through the wooden gate opposite the entrance. Follow the wide woodland trail as it gently rises and loops around the main part of Ausewell to the left. Stay on this main loop, keeping left at any forks, and enjoy the spacious woodland feel. Eventually the path bends back round and leads you to the entrance again.
It’s a good one for slower, warmer days or rainy days. You’re in the trees the whole time, so it feels sheltered, and there’s always something to spot along the way, like deer, woodpeckers and butterflies. If you’re looking for something straightforward, quiet, and easy to return to again and again, this is a solid choice. It’s also one of 35+ family-friendly routes we’ve mapped across Dartmoor to help people get out without overthinking the day.
Yarner Wood
W3W: resources.hello.zones
Distance: 2km circular
Duration: 1 hour
Suitable for: Trampers, pushchairs and small feet
Recommended by Helen Bruce of Dartmoor Preservation Association
Yarner Wood became England’s first National Nature Reserve in 1952 and is made up of many ancient oak trees. This loop is gently sloping and you’ll follow a wide gravel path through the woods, where there’s plenty of shelter in changeable weather. Park in Yarner Wood carpark, where there are toilets, information boards and benches if you wish to sit down for a snack.
Go through the gate at the top end of the carpark and follow the gravel path uphill. Enjoy the sound of the stream running alongside the path, following it until you come to a bridge. Cross here and bear right towards a wooden gazebo. This is an ideal spot to stop for a picnic, before continuing slightly uphill again and bearing left along a path that flattens out. Follow this to a wooden bird hide and challenge yourselves to stay quiet for 5 minutes to see what birds you might see or hear.
Once you’re done at the hide, turn left and follow the main track back downhill, through a gate and left back into the carpark. There’s a further accessible bird hide at the bottom end of the carpark where you might spit wood warblers of pied flycatchers.
The DPA offer free walks and events throughout the year, many of which are suitable for families. Membership is just £20 a year, with all funds going directly towards conservation, land management and access support. We’ve been fighting to keep Dartmoor wild and free since 1883 and, with your help, we can preserve this special landscape for everyone, for ever. Find out more at www.dartmoorpreservation.co.uk.
