Dartmoor Upland Ecology at Sharpitor
Event Description
A guided upland ecology hill walk on Dartmoor with Dr Luke Sutton from Dartmoor Preservation Association. This walk offers an immersive and educational experience that combines physical activity with ecological insights into one of England's most iconic landscapes. Dartmoor is characterized by its expansive moorlands, granite tors and unique upland ecology. This guided experience on Dartmoor is not only a physical journey across its iconic moors but also an exploration of the intricate relationships between geology, ecology, and human history that define this remarkable upland landscape.
On this walk you will explore key upland habitats such as peat bogs, heathlands, grasslands, and granite tors and learn to identify plant species adapted to Dartmoor’s acidic, nutrient-poor soils, including bog specialists, lichens and mosses. You’ll also discover how Dartmoor’s distinctive granite tors were formed over 300 million years ago and understand the impact of weathering and erosion on Dartmoor’s terrain. We’ll also pause at summit tors for panoramic views of the moors and examine the interaction between humans and the landscape, including the legacy of mining, farming, and prehistoric settlements. Finally, we will discuss ongoing conservation challenges, such as grazing impacts, peatland restoration, and balancing tourism with ecological protection.
Date: Friday 29th August 2025
Time: 1pm - 4pm
Length: 2 miles
Start location: Sharpitor car park SX 560 708
Dogs? Due to the nature of this walk, no dogs please
Accessible walk: Regrettably not
Instructor: Dr Luke Sutton, ecologist and land manager with Dartmoor Preservation Association.
Tickets for this event have been funded by the Dartmoor
Preservation Association, with the aim of making them accessible to local families.