Buckfast to Tavistock Monastic Route, Dartmoor, Dartmoor National Park

This is a superb long distance walk between Buckfast Abbey on the east border of Dartmoor National Park and Tavistock Abbey on the west. Monks once followed routes across the moors to visit the local abbeys and priory which is why it's called the Buckfast to Tavistock Monastic Route.

The Buckfast to Tavistock Monastic Route fringes the south moor and skirts the beautiful Burrator Reservoir on its way to the high ground above Tavistock. The views are exceptional. A series of ancient crosses act as waymarkers and help make for a highly evocative walk. If you want to walk across Dartmoor then this is the route we'd recommend following.

The Buckfast to Tavistock Monastic Route is shown on the Harvey British Mountain Map 'Dartmoor' map. We'd recommend buying a copy before walking this route. Given that the Buckfast to Tavistock Monastic Route is remote, the terrain can be challenging over the south moor so we'd only recommend following the route if you are an experienced walker. Go in dry weather.

Route moving east to west

Buckfast Abbey to Holne.

Holne to Horn's Cross.

Horn's Cross to Mount Misery.

Mount Misery to Nun's or Siward's Cross.

Nun's or Siward's Cross to Cross Gate.

Cross Gate to Huckworthy Cross.

Huckworthy Cross to Tavistock Abbey.

Crosses on the Buckfast to Tavistock Monastic Route

Crosses you encounter along the way include those listed below. Note that there were originally more crosses on the route but some have disappeared over the centuries.

Buckfast Abbey Crosses.

Hawson Cross.

Horn's Cross.

Horse Ford Cross.

Skir Ford Cross.

Ter Hill Cross (East).

Ter Hill Cross (West).

Mount Misery Cross.

Childe's Tomb Cross.

Goldsmith's Cross.

Nun's or Siward's Cross.

Newleycombe Cross.