Best Belstone Walks, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park
Belstone
Belstone is one of the best places from which to walk in Dartmoor National Park. Located on the edge of Dartmoor's north moor, Belstone offers access to many of Dartmoor's most beautiful tors and hills. In addition, you can walk several stunning wooded valleys and explore some top prehistoric sites. Belstone is also a great place from which to walk after it's snowed. Last, there's a lovely pub in the heart of the village so it's great for pub walks.
We've arranged walks by theme and ease. The easiest walks are at the top of this listing. The more difficult walks appear as you scroll down.
The Tors Inn pub walks from Belstone
The Tors Inn is situated in the heart of Belstone. Its pub garden overlooks Belstone Great Green with the huge dome of Cosdon Hill to the south east. It's great for pub walks. Note that all the walks referred to below can start and end at The Tors Inn.
Belstone Great Green and Belstone Common walks
Belstone Great Green is the large grassy area on the south side of the village. It provides super views of Belstone Cleave which is a valley cut by the River Taw. Cosdon Hill dominates to the south east.
Start at the large car parking area at the edge of Belstone. Don't drive through as the roads are narrow and village busy. The car park at the edge of Belstone should be used by visitors. Wander through the village and you come to a fork in the road. Walk along the left fork and you pass The Tors Inn pub garden. Belstone Great Green is in front of you. The stunning Belstone Cleave is to your left running east. As mentioned, Cosdon Hill dominates to the south east.
Continue on the road at the top of Belstone Great Green. You pass more houses and then the road climbs and arcs to a gate. Beyond that is the edge of Belstone Common. Follow one of the paths to your right and head up to Watchet Hill. There are super views across to Dartmoor's highest ground at Yes Tor and High Willhays.
From Watchet Hill, trend east back towards Belstone. You pass through a gate and walk along a road that drops down into Belstone. The Tors Inn is to your right. Continue through the village back to the car park from which you started.
Taw Plain walks from Belstone
Walk south from Belstone and you come to a vast natural ampitheatre of moorland, river and rock. This is Taw Plain. It's a super place for slightly longer walks than Belstone Great Green and Belstone Common.
Start at the large car parking area at the edge of Belstone. Don't drive through as the roads are narrow and village busy. The car park at the edge of Belstone should be used by visitors. Wander through the village and you come to a fork in the road. Walk along the left fork and you pass The Tors Inn pub garden. Belstone Great Green is in front of you. The stunning Belstone Cleave is to your left running east. As mentioned, Cosdon Hill dominates to the south east. Continue on the road at the top of Belstone Great Green. You pass more houses and then the road climbs and arcs to a gate. Beyond that is the edge of Belstone Common.
A good track takes you to the heart of Taw Plain. Cosdon Hill is to your left. Belstone Tors are to your right. The wonderful Steeperton Tor rises to the south.
Whilst you can wander back the way you came, we'd recommend taking one of the paths up the west side of the natural ampitheatre and return via Higher Tor and Belstone Tors. It's a super ridge providing massive views of Dartmoor's north moor.
You drop down to Belstone Common and return to Belstone.
River and valley walks from Belstone
The River Taw rises on Dartmoor's north moor, flows across Taw Plain and then runs east through the beautiful Belstone Cleave. Try the Belstone Cleave and Skaigh Woods Circular Walk.
The East Okement River rises on the north moor near Okement Hill. It cuts another stunning valley west of Belstone. Try the Belstone and West Cleave Circular Walk.
If you love walking and museums then try the Two Museums Walk.
Prehistoric Dartmoor walks from Belstone
Dartmoor is internationally famous for its prehistoric sites. Walk to the Nine Maidens Stone Circle.
For a much longer walk, head to Cosdon (The Cemetery) Stone Row on the east side of Cosdon Hill.
White Moor Stone Circle is in a glorious setting on the south side of Cosdon Hill.
Walking Cosdon Hill from Belstone
Cosdon Hill dominates this part of Dartmoor. Whilst it's a real slog getting to Cosdon Beacon at the summit of Cosdon Hill, the views are worth it. Try the Belstone and Cosdon Hill/Beacon Circular Walk.
Walking Dartmoor's north moor from Belstone
Most walkers explore Dartmoor's north moor from Belstone. If you're visiting for the first time, try the Belstone and Oke Tor Circular Walk.
Tors and hills we'd recommend visiting south of Belstone include:
Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) are closest to the village. A series of rocky outcrops line the ridge that rises from Belstone Common.
Oke Tor is further south of Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End). Great place offering huge views of Dartmoor's north moor.
Steeperton Tor is a magnificent place that overlooks Taw Plain. Highly recommended.
Watern Tor is one of Dartmoor National Park's most distinctive tors and is located to the south east of Steeperton Tor.
Hangingstone Hill is high ground on Dartmoor's north moor. You can access Cranmere Pool from here.
Alternatively, walk south west of Belstone towards Dartmoor's highest ground. Try the Belstone to Rowtor Walk.
Tors we'd recommend visiting south west of Belstone include:
West Mill Tor is a magnificent rocky tor above Okehampton Camp.
Yes Tor and High Willhays are located on a broad ridge south west of West Mill Tor. The highest ground on Dartmoor and in southern England, they are essential visiting. It's a relatively long walk to get to them from Belstone but nothing too strenuous for a keen walker.
Walking to some of Dartmoor's most unusual points of interest from Belstone
Ted Hughes Memorial Stone is a wonderful, demanding walk.
A trip to Cranmere Pool is a must for every Dartmoor enthusiast.
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