East Dart Head, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park

East Dart Head, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park

On Dartmoor's north plateau, in a bowl of moorland below some of the National Park's highest hills, are the headwaters of the East Dart River. It's a remote, strangely intoxicating area far away from villages and towns. After periods of wet weather, the land is boggy and unpleasant to walk across. If the sun and wind have dried out the moorland, we'd very much recommend visiting the general area.

Cranmere Pool is north west of the East Dart Head. Whitehorse Hill is to the east. Black Hill, Cut Hill and Fur Tor are to the south west. Other famous Devon rivers that rise in the area include the River Taw, River Teign and West Okement River.

We've positioned the East Dart Head on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location. To visit the general area, we'd suggest you walk to Cranmere Pool or Whitehorse Hill before dropping down towards the headwaters. Weather and conditions underfoot will dictate how close you can get to the East Dart Head. It's also great fun to follow the East Dart River up from Postbridge. Again, walk this after a period of dry and windy weather. Spring is a good time as the blond moorland grass is dead so it's much easier to yomp across the landscape.