Erme Plains, Harford, Dartmoor National Park
Today, Erme Plains is remote moorland in the heart of Dartmoor's south moor. It's bisected by the River Erme. The eastern side of Erme Plains is easily accessible. The western side of Erme Plains is more difficult to access. The moorland here is packed with points of interest including the world's longest stone row. Clearly, it was once a very busy place which makes exploring the area even more intoxicating.
We've positioned Erme Plains on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location. It's marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map.
Points of interest include:
Stall Moor The Dancers Stone Circle.
North-South (Track) Ancient Travel Route.
Red Lake Railway (Dismantled)/Puffing Billy Track.
To visit for the first time, we'd recommend starting from the car parking area at Harford Moor Gate. Follow the trackbed of Red Lake Railway (Dismantled)/Puffing Billy Track as it winds into the heart of Dartmoor's south moor. Beyond Left Lake, where the trackbed sweeps north east, you'll see Erme Plains and the River Erme below. Follow one of the grass paths across Erme Plains. Alternatively, follow Zeal Tor Tramway (Dismantled) from the car parking area at Shipley Bridge to the high moor. Drop down to Erme Plains.
To explore Stall Moor Stone Row and Stall Moor The Dancers Stone Circle, you have to cross the River Erme. If the water level is high, the river is a formidable barrier. As such, we'd recommend starting from the car parking area at Harford Moor Gate. Wander back down to the church and turn right towards Harford Bridge. Continue past the first gate and you'll come to another one where the moor meets Hall Plantation. Follow the track up to Burford Down and then up to Stalldown Stone Row as marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map. From there, walk across the moor to Erme Plains. Note that the terrain is difficult and potentially very boggy. Tough walking.
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