Walking & hiking on Dartmoor

Walking

Duchy House is the perfect base from which to explore Dartmoor; from the front door you can walk in almost any direction and be on open moorland in less than five minutes. After a good night’s sleep and a fabulous breakfast, you’ll be ready to venture out and discover the delights of this unique landscape. A multitude of walks start and finish at Princetown, ranging from level gravel paths (such as the old railway line), to wild undulating moorland. We can even provide you with a homemade packed lunch to enjoy on your day out, or let you know where the best pubs are.

We can help plan walks or a day’s itinerary and have a large selection of maps and walking books which guests are welcome to borrow. Should your boots and clothes get wet or muddy, we have a drying room ensuring that they will be ready for another day’s fantastic walking the following morning.

Dartmoor is a truly diverse landscape with its iconic granite tors towering above ancient wooded valleys and vast expanses of rugged, wild moorland. amongst the tapestry of flora and fauna that is unique to Dartmoor you’ll soon find yourself amidst Neolithic tombs, Bronze Age stone circles and abandoned medieval villages.

“I have never before in my long and eclectic career been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming War Horse on Dartmoor.” – Steven Speilberg

 As you traverse the moors, you’ll find yourself in the same breathtaking scenery that inspired the iconic stories of Steven Spielberg’s movie adaptation of  ‘War Horse’ – written by local author Michael Murpogo – and  the adventures of Sherlock Holmes in ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’.   Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stayed at the old Duchy Hotel in Princetown (now visitor centre),  and immersed himself into moorland life, drawing inspiration from the nearby mires, moors and the ever changing weather, to pen the infamous story of ‘The hound of the Baskervilles’.

There are several walks starting from Princetown that take in the sights, locations and inspirations for both of these amazing stories.

For those taking on the Dartmoor Way – a 108-mile circular route passing through Princetown on the High Moor Link section – we offer welcome respite and liaise with luggage transfer companies to ensure you get the most from your walk.

With 368 square miles of unspoilt and varied terrain, Dartmoor National Park makes for some of the best walking in the UK.