Black Ridge Peat Pass, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park
Dartmoor’s north and south moors are home to a high number of peat passes. These passes were cut through the thick layer of peat to provide safe and easy passage. The most impressive is the deep pass on Whitehorse Hill. The biggest and most dramatic is on the remote Black Ridge by Black Hill. This pass runs for about 1km. There are memorials at each end of the pass and small piles of white rocks have been placed along the pass to guide you. Because it’s so remote today and because so few people walk here, the peat hags and black channels and piles of white rocks make for a strange place. Part of the North-South (Track) Ancient Travel Route, it takes a bit of effort to get to the pass but, as a unique Dartmoor experience, it’s worth it.
We’ve positioned Black Ridge Peat Pass on Google maps so zoom in on the ‘Satellite’ setting to see its location.
To visit, we’d recommend walking the army ring road to Dinger Tor. Drop down to the West Okement River, cross the water and then slog up the side of Great Kneeset to its rocky outcrops. Walk east and you’ll come to the pass. Wander north to get to its northern memorial then turn around and head south to the southern memorial with its views of Fur Tor and Cut Hill. These memorials read:
THIS STONE MARKS A CROSSING THROUGH THE PEAT, WHICH MAY BE OF USE TO HUNTING AND CATTLEMEN; THE CROSSING WAS MADE BY FRANK PHILLPOTTS, WHO DIED OCTOBER 1909, IT IS KEPT UP IN HIS MEMORY BY HIS BROTHER AND SON.
You can follow the North-South (Track) Ancient Travel Route but be very careful around the Jackman’s Bottom area. It’s very difficult walking terrain.
After a period of dry weather, you can also wander across to the Cranmere Pool area. Again, in our experience, it’s difficult walking terrain.
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