Dartmoor National Park Authority are helping to kick off the Dartmoor Outdoor Festival with a free day of fun activities for families to help them discover Dartmoor.
There will be lots of a mini adventures and activities to try out and plenty of ideas to help you get the most from your visit to Dartmoor however adventurous you are. Pick up some map and compass skills, discover if you’ve what it takes to be a Countryside Code Hero or try your hand at our Pack a Backpack Challenge.
Throughout the day we will be offering taster walks around the area with one of our DNPA experts so you can learn more about the wildlife, ancient history and projects we are undertaking to safeguard Dartmoor for future generations.
The walks on offer will be:
Haytor is the perfect place to get your first taste of Dartmoor. Head up to the impressive Haytor Rocks to look out across the rest of Devon or explore the industrial past and walk along Devons first railway following the old stone rails, or time-travel back to the Bronze Age to find ancient, ruined round houses which are over 4,000 years old.
The Visitor Centre has lots of ideas, leaflets and books to help you plan your next Dartmoor adventure
Date: Friday 29th August 2025
Time: 10.30am - 3.00pm
Location: Outside Haytor Visitor Centre, Haytor Vale, Newton Abbot TQ13 9XT
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There will be lots of a mini adventures and activities to try out and plenty of ideas to help you get the most from your visit to Dartmoor however adventurous you are. Pick up some map and compass skills, discover if you’ve what it takes to be a Countryside Code Hero or try your hand at our Pack a Backpack Challenge.
Throughout the day we will be offering taster walks around the area with one of our DNPA experts so you can learn more about the wildlife, ancient history and projects we are undertaking to safeguard Dartmoor for future generations.
The walks on offer will be:
- Archaeology walk with Lee Bray
- Ecology walk with Kerry White
- Miles Without Stiles walk with Tim Russell and the Wheelchair Access Group
- A Woodland Wander in East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve
- Peatland Restoration with Rachel Land
- Farming on Holne Moor – A walk and talk about the role of Commoning on Dartmoor
Haytor is the perfect place to get your first taste of Dartmoor. Head up to the impressive Haytor Rocks to look out across the rest of Devon or explore the industrial past and walk along Devons first railway following the old stone rails, or time-travel back to the Bronze Age to find ancient, ruined round houses which are over 4,000 years old.
The Visitor Centre has lots of ideas, leaflets and books to help you plan your next Dartmoor adventure
Date: Friday 29th August 2025
Time: 10.30am - 3.00pm
Location: Outside Haytor Visitor Centre, Haytor Vale, Newton Abbot TQ13 9XT
What 3 words ///hiked.claims.mountain
Miles without stiles: exploring the area surrounding Haytor
£0.00 - £15.00
Event Description:
A walk from the Wheeled Access Group suitable for those using off road mobility scooters and able-bodied walkers. This walk uses gravel and grass tracks. In the morning, we will be following the Miles Without Stiles route with DNPA Access Officer, Tim Russell and in the afternoon, we will explore the tors and quarries of the area. The afternoon walk will include some rougher areas with hills. Level 2 in the morning and level 3 in the afternoon, for scooters.
(The Disabled Ramblers grading can be viewed here so you know what these levels involve: Route Categories – Disabled Ramblers)
Date: Friday 29th August 2025
Time: 10.30am for 11am departure - 3pm
Start location: Coach park adjacent to Haytor Visitor Centre (£5 all day) / SX766276
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Dog friendly walk? Assistance dogs only
Accessible walk: Off road mobility scooter
Distance: Morning – 2 miles / Afternoon – 2 miles
Guide: Amanda Head
To book this walk, please email [email protected] to book directly with the Wheeled Access Group - please do not use our booking system!
Archaeology of Haytor Down with Dartmoor National Park
£0.00
Sold out
Event Description:
This walk will be led by one of DNPA’s archaeologists and will explore some of the rich prehistoric, medieval and industrial archaeology of Haytor Down.
Much of the walk will be across rough tracks and overall, the walk will be of moderate grade. Sturdy footwear, waterproofs, hats etc will be essential.
Date: Friday 29th August 2025
Time: 10.45am - 1.15pm
Length: 3 miles
Start location: Haytor Visitor Centre
Dog friendly? Well behaved dogs on short leads welcome.
Accessible walk: Unfortunately not.
Guide: Lee Bray
This walk is bookable on a first come first served basis and due to insurance reasons, there is a cap on numbers. Therefore, if you book a space and then are no longer able to attend, please let us know so we cancel your place and release the spot for someone else.
Ecology of Haytor with Dartmoor National Park
£0.00
Sold out
Event Description:
A leisurely walk from Haytor Visitor Centre towards Bagtor and on to Haytor to talk about the different species and habitat management of the area. With any luck we will
encounter a few of Dartmoor’s beautiful butterfly and bird species.
Most of this walk will take place over rough tracks. Sturdy footwear, waterproofs, hats etc will be essential.
Date: Friday 29th August 2025
Time: 11am - 1pm
Length: 2 miles
Start location: Haytor Visitor Centre
Dog friendly? Well behaved dogs on short leads welcome.
Accessible walk: Unfortunately not.
Guide: Kerry White
This walk is bookable on a first come first served basis and due to insurance reasons, there is a cap on numbers. Therefore, if you book a space and then are no longer able to attend, please let us know so we cancel your place and release the spot for someone else.
Farming on Holne Moor – A walk and talk about the role of Commoning on Dartmoor
£0.00
Event Description:
Meet at the main Venford Reservoir car park by the dam. This walk will be led by a Holne Commoner who will share his experiences of farming on Holne Common and
explain how farming has shaped Dartmoor’s rugged landscape.
This is a moderate walk that crosses open moorland. Sturdy footwear, waterproofs, hats etc will be essential.
Date: Friday 29th August 2025
Time: 10.30am - 12.30pm
Length: 3 miles
Start location: Venford Reservoir
Dog friendly? Well behaved dogs on short leads welcome.
Accessible walk: Unfortunately not.
This walk is bookable on a first come first served basis and due to insurance reasons, there is a cap on numbers. Therefore, if you book a space and then are no longer able to attend, please let us know so we cancel your place and release the spot for someone else.
A Woodland Wonder in East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve with Dartmoor National Park
£0.00
Sold out
Event Description:
Take part in a ramble through an old oak woodland and learn about the special characteristics of the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve.
Date: Friday 29th August 2025
Time: 10.45am - 12.45pm
Length: 3 miles
Start location: East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve/Yarner Wood
Dog friendly? Well behaved dogs on short leads welcome.
Accessible walk: Unfortunately not
Guide: Emily Tyack / Angelique McBride
This walk is bookable on a first come first served basis and due to insurance reasons, there is a cap on numbers. Therefore, if you book a space and then are no longer able to attend, please let us know so we cancel your place and release the spot for someone else.
Peatland Restoration Walk with Dartmoor National Park
£0.00
Event Description:
Meet at Haytor Visitor Centre before taking a minibus shuttle to Saddle Tor and enjoy a walk out to Emsworthy Mire to see Dartmoor peatland. You’ll have a chance to
learn about the South West Peatland Partnership's restoration work and all things boggy on the way to and from Emsworthy.
This is a moderate walk that includes a few strenuous hills and crosses open moorland. Sturdy footwear, waterproofs, hats etc will be essential.
Date: Friday 29th August 2025
Time: 10.30am - 1pm
Length: 3 miles
Start location: Haytor Visitor Centre
Dog friendly? Well behaved dogs on short leads welcome.
Accessible walk: Unfortunately not.
Guide: Rachel Land
This walk is bookable on a first come first served basis and due to insurance reasons, there is a cap on numbers. Therefore, if you book a space and then are no longer able to attend, please let us know so we cancel your place and release the spot for someone else.