Many reading this article will possibly be planning a trip to Dartmoor in the near future. Some will be new to walking in the great outdoors, others will be experienced, seasoned hikers. Whichever category you may fall into, it would be very irresponsible not to cover at least the basics of keeping safe whilst on the moor, and being equipped well enough to walk comfortably, making your trip a pleasurable experience, and one you will want to repeat.
Dartmoor has its own particular challenges compared to other parts of the UK. Yes, there are hilly parts, but none that you really have to put your hands to rock for, and although you can walk for miles in wilderness country, most of it will be pretty straightforward.
However, there are a couple of things that you MUST consider before embarking even a little way into the moor from the safety of the road.
The first is the weather. Never venture out until you have checked the forecast at one of the information centres around the moor, such as the one at Princetown. Please remember that the weather can be very unpredictable on the high moor, and can change from bright and sunny to thick mist, in a matter of minutes. It is better to try to retrace your steps if this happens, rather than get completely lost and end up wandering around aimlessly , which can be very tiring, especially for children.
The second is the valley bogs, found all over Dartmoor. You will hear stories about herds of ponies and troops of hikers being swallowed up by the infamous bogs, never to be seen again . Although very much exaggerated, you should know what to look for as you walk, and avoid possible boggy areas by re-tracing your steps or going around the problem on higher ground.
Tip: Look for areas of bright green, which usually indicates boggy ground underneath. If you feel the ground shake under your boots - stop immediately, turn around and go back a little way to find another route. Should you take a step too far, you may find yourself up to your hips in sludge - DO NOT PANIC. That's about as far as you will sink, so just take off your rucksack and place it on the ground beside you, then crawl on to it. Firm ground will only be a step or two away.
Third on the list is your map reading skills. Essential when the rain and mist comes down, but still necessary on clear days as Dartmoor is quite featureless in many parts. I find the best map to use is the Ordnance Survey OL28 1:25,000 scale which is widely available in Dartmoor Visitor Centres and retail shops.
At the very least, make sure you can read a map, take a compass bearing from Point A to Point B and plot a map reference.
When trying to calculate walking time, bear in mind that the open moor land is quite hard going and presents many obstacles such as rivers to negotiate, not to mention lots of interesting things to photograph. So you may need more time than you think to complete a particular walk. Even without stopping for photographs, you should allow about 40 minutes for every mile to be travelled.
And finally, if venturing on to the north moor, you must check to see if there is any firing taking place on the military ranges.
The Country Code
* Guard against all risk of fire
* Fasten all gates
* Keep dogs under control
* Keep to the paths across farmland
* Avoid damage to walls, hedges, antiquities
* Leave no litter - take it home
* Do not pollute or restrict water courses
* Protect wildlife, flora and fauna
* Take care on country roads
* Respect country life
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