Dart Gorge, Holne, Dartmoor National Park
[Main photo: River Dart in the Dart Gorge with White Wood to the left and Meltor Wood to the right. Browse the photo gallery for more images of the Dart Gorge through the seasons]
One of the most beautiful places in Dartmoor National Park
The Dart Gorge is one of the most beautiful places in Dartmoor National Park. It’s a steep-sided, heavily wooded valley cut by the River Dart. The valley walls are topped with tors and high moorland gently rises to the south. The views from the tors up top or from the river banks below are spectacular. After heavy rain, when amplified by the valley walls, the sound of flowing water can be awesome.
The Dart Gorge is one of the places we’d most recommend visiting whilst on holiday in Dartmoor National Park.
Location of the Dart Gorge
The Dart Gorge is located in the eastern section of Dartmoor National Park.
We've positioned the Dart Gorge on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting of the accompanying map to see its location.
For the purposes of this listing, we describe the gorge between Dartmeet and New Bridge.
Directions to, and parking at, the Dart Gorge
The Dart Gorge is on the eastern side of Dartmoor near Ashburton. You can approach from many directions but we’d recommend heading to Ashburton and then following the road past River Dart Country Park and over Holne Bridge as marked on Ordnance Survey mapping. That road climbs and then splits. Drive right and you come to New Bridge. Drive left and you pass the village Holne on your way to Venford Reservoir. There are car parking areas on either side of the dam wall. We’d recommend starting from the car parking area east of Venford Reservoir when visiting the Dart Gorge for the first time (see recommended route for the first time below).
If you’re heading from the heart of Dartmoor follow the B3357 from Two Bridges to Dartmeet. Take the right turning and drive over Hexworthy Bridge as marked on Ordnance Survey mapping and the road climbs steeply past the Forest Inn to Combestone Tor and then Venford Reservoir.
Car parking area east of Venford Reservoir. This car parking area is on the eastern side of Venford Reservoir’s dam wall. It’s also on the eastern side of Venford Brook. Paths and tracks run out to the spur of land on which the stunning Bench Tor sits.
Car parking area west of Venford Reservoir. This car parking area is on the western side of Venford Reservoir’s dam wall. It’s also on the western side of Venford Brook. Paths run down to the River Dart or west along the side of the moor. You can head up to Combestone Tor (and the south moor) and down to the stepping stones and River Dart at Dartmeet.
Combestone Tor car parking area. This smaller car parking area is by Combestone Tor just west of the Dart Gorge.
New Bridge car park. This large, tarmac car park is by New Bridge that spans the River Dart. Head east and you’re at Spitchwick/Deeper Marsh. Follow the path, track and then path west and you walk through the glorious Holne Woods to Sharrah Pool and White Wood deep in the Dart Gorge. Gets very tricky after that though (see below).
Dartmeet car park. There’s a large car park at Dartmeet. A good path runs along the north bank of the River Dart into the Dart gorge. You can also use the stepping stones to cross the river and then climb up to the Venford Reservoir area.
Holne village car park (out of tourist season). You can park at Holne near the village pub and then drop down on the Two Moors Way into Holne Woods. Follow the track and path west through the glorious Holne Woods to Sharrah Pool and White Wood deep in the Dart Gorge. Gets very tricky after that though (see below).
Bel Tor Corner car park/Mel Tor car park. This car parking area is north of the River Dart. You can wander across to Mel Tor and walk Dr Blackall’s Drive for amazing views of the Dart Gorge. Alternatively, head west from the car park to Sharp Tor for another classic Dartmoor view of the Dart Gorge.
Yartor Down car park. There’s a car parking area at the top of Yartor Down marked on Ordnance Survey mapping. A path dips and then climbs to Sharp Tor for that classic view of the Dart Gorge.
The Dart Gorge
Many famous Devon rivers rise on Dartmoor's remote north plateau. The West Dart River begins by Cut Hill and Fur Tor. The East Dart River starts by Whitehorse Hill and Hangingstone Hill. The two tributaries join at Dartmeet to form the River Dart or Double Dart before flowing into the Dart Gorge.
At the eastern end of the gorge, the river runs under New Bridge and bends around Deeper Marsh and Spitchwick on its way to the beautiful Hembury Woods, Buckfast and Buckfastleigh on the border of the national park.
Many tors and rocky outcrops are situated in and around the gorge. The majority of these tors provide superb views of the area.
On the northern side of the gorge, we'd recommend a trip to Sharp Tor and Mel Tor.
On the southern side of the gorge, we'd suggest you visit Bench Tor.
Given their locations and views, these tors are great summer picnic spots and are relatively close to parking areas.
The Dart Gorge is also lined with many woods. They are great examples of temperate rainforest. We’d recommend experiencing Holne Woods upriver of New Bridge and White Wood that curls around the spur of land on which Bench Tor sits.
Recommended route to the Dart Gorge for the first time
To visit for the first time, we’d recommend approaching from the car parking area on the eastern side of Venford Reservoir. Wander out to Bench Tor for a magnificent overview of the area.
Grass tracks lead from the car parking area to a spur of land that juts out into the Dart Gorge. Here, you'll see the rocky outcrop of Bench Tor. The views down into the gorge are special.
The views of White Wood, Meltor Wood, the Dart Gorge and Dart Valley Nature Reserve are up there with the best in the national park.
Whilst the views are amazing all year round, we’d suggest you visit in May and November. Spring arrives late on Dartmoor and is at its most intoxicating in May. Late autumn colours are particularly impressive in the middle and end of November. Browse the photo gallery to see more.
From Bench Tor, walk north west and you’ll pick up a path that descends through the oak woodland to a good track that skirts the spur of land that’s topped by Bench Tor. Turn left and follow this track to the water works and then wander up to the car park from which you started.
Other routes and directions to the Dart Gorge
As is the case with all valleys on Dartmoor, you can walk in from many directions. Here are other routes. Some are straightforward. Others are demanding.
Routes and directions to the Dart Gorge from the west
Combestone Tor car parking area. Park at Combestone Tor for super views of the river valley and Dart Gorge with its surrounding tors. Head east across moorland to Venford Brook. If the water level is low you can cross the brook at the top near the water works or all the way down at the bottom.
Dartmeet car park. Start from the large car park at Badger’s Holt. Walk the north bank to Luckey Tor and then Meltor Wood. Alternatively, cross Dartmeet Bridge and you’ll see directions for stepping stones. These cross the West Dart River just before it meets the East Dart River to form the River Dart or Double Dart. Now yomp up the side of the moor on the path marked on Ordnance Survey mapping. Head across to Venford Brook and then White Wood. Avoid this route after rain as crossing is unsafe.
Routes and directions to the Dart Gorge from the east
Walk from New Bridge car park to Dr Blackall’s Drive for views down into the Dart Gorge. Part of the Two Moors Way, Dr Blackall's Drive runs along the northern lip of the gorge. Start at New Bridge. Follow the Two Moors Way towards Sharp Tor. Return on the same route. Dr Blackall’s Drive is clearly marked on Ordnance Survey mapping.
New Bridge car park along the River Dart. Park at New Bridge. Cross the bridge such that you are on the south side of the river. Follow the path, track and then path west and you walk through the glorious Holne Woods to Sharrah Pool and White Wood deep in the Dart Gorge. Turn around at Sharrah Pool unless you are an experienced and confident walker.
Holne village car park (out of tourist season). Drop down on the Two Moors Way into Holne Woods. Follow the track and path west through the glorious Holne Woods to Sharrah Pool and White Wood. Again, it gets very tricky after that though.
Routes and directions to the Dart Gorge from the north
Bel Tor Corner car park/Mel Tor car park. Wander across to Mel Tor and walk Dr Blackall’s Drive for amazing views of the Dart Gorge.
Alternatively, head west from the car park to Sharp Tor for another classic Dartmoor view of the Dart Gorge.
Routes and directions to the Dart Gorge from the south
Instead of walking out to Bench Tor, you can head down to the southern bank of the River Dart in the heart of the Dart Gorge. This route takes you by the not very secret Venford Waterfalls.
Start at the car parking area on the eastern side of Venford Reservoir.
There’s a water works marked on Ordnance Survey mapping. This sits within metal fencing. Head for the corner of the metal fencing and you’ll see a worn path that takes you in the direction of Venford Brook. This path meets a good track that skirts the spur of land topped by Bench Tor. About half way up this track, you’ll see paths descending left to Venford Brook and White Wood. These lead you to Venford Waterfalls and then all the way down to the bottom of the gorge where Venford Brook meets the River Dart. There’s a super view here west to the trees that line the mouth of the Dart Gorge.
Follow the path east along the south bank of the River Dart to the Mel Pool area. You’ll see plenty of wild swimming spots. The views back upriver to the gorge walls and Rowbrook House are sensational.
There’s a large, flattish area of woodland in the Mel Pool area. It looks and feels as if you’re in a rainforest. Unless you’re a confident, experienced walker, turn around and retrace your steps back to Venford Brook.
Dart Gorge Circular Walk
Last, if you’re an experienced and confident walker then we’d recommend looping around the Dart Gorge. There’s one section between Mel Pool and Sharrah Pool that’s difficult.
Start at the car park just east of Venford Reservoir near Bench Tor. Head north west to the corner of the railings that fence off the reservoir dam and its buildings. You drop down to an old, narrow road that is now grown over. This disused road sweeps around the spur of land that's topped by Bench Tor. A short way down this road, you'll see a track dropping through ferns to Venford Brook. This track follows the east, or right, bank of the brook until it flows into the River Dart at the bottom of the Dart Gorge.
The track runs east along the side of the River Dart. Sometimes it skirts the water. At others it climbs above the river bank. It's relatively easy going until you get to the Mel Pool area below Bench Tor and Mel Tor. You now enter a stretch of wild woodland in which you have to pick your way through trees and along slippery granite slabs and over boulders to Sharrah Pool. This section between Mel Pool and Sharrah Pool is difficult so plan a little extra time to walk through it. There's no obvious single track or path. You'll pick up narrow tracks and cross slabs of granite that can be very slippery so take care. Also, in some parts, there are steep drops and awkward climbs. The noise of the river here is intoxicating. Sharrah Pool is a popular spot with wild swimmers.
From Sharrah Pool, a good path and then forestry track run through the National Trust's Holne Woods to New Bridge. From New Bridge, follow the Two Moors Way as it hugs the bend in the river at Deeper Marsh/Spitchwick Common. In summer, this place is heaving with families enjoying a picnic and wild swim.
The Two Moors Way cuts back on itself and passes Leigh Tor on its way to Dr Blackall's Drive. The views up the Dart Gorge to Bench Tor are special. Follow the good path to Mel Tor and then Sharp Tor.
Next, drop down to Dartmeet. An ancient track runs down the land to the left of the modern road. Try to see the Coffin Stone as you go. At Dartmeet, you need to cross the West Dart River. There are small stepping stones spanning the water but these are impassable after a spell of wet weather. If you cannot cross here, there are taller stepping stones at Huccaby Steps. When the river is in spate and it's too dangerous to cross on stepping stones, use Hexworthy Bridge. Paths lead from both sets of stepping stones to the Combestone Tor area and Venford Reservoir. It's a bit of a detour from Hexworthy Bridge. Follow the path to Venford Reservoir. Cross the dam wall and you are back where you started.
Again, this is a demanding walk. It's a long way. There are plenty of uphill sections and, as mentioned, the stretch between Mel Tor and Sharrah Pool is difficult. Only do this if you are an experienced and confident walker.
Views of the Dart Gorge
We split this into two sections. Views from above and below.
Views from above. In short, head for any of the tors that top the valley walls. On the north side, enjoy the views from Mel Tor and Sharp Tor. On the south side, Bench Tor is a must as recommended above. The views from Combestone Tor to the west and Dr Blackall’s Drive are superb as well.
Views from below. The views all the way along the banks of the River Dart are remarkable. We particularly like the view back up to Rowbrook House from the Mel Pool area. Access via the parking area east of Venford Reservoir and drop down through White Wood.
The area around the Dart Gorge
The Dart Gorge and Venford Reservoir are at the foot of Dartmoor’s south moor. Head up to Ryder’s Hill. This is the highest point in this section of the national park.
Enjoy a picnic and swim at Spitchwick.
See The Ten Commandments Stones at Buckland Beacon.
Walk Hembury Woods. Swim in the River Dart here.
Explore Buckfast Abbey.
Places to eat and drink near the Dart Gorge
For pubs, try the Tavistock Inn north of the Dart Gorge or The Forest Inn west of the Dart Gorge by Hexworthy.
Other gorges, cleaves and valleys in Dartmoor National Park
If this type of landscape appeals then you're going to need a long holiday in Dartmoor National Park. Dartmoor's fringed by a high number of wooded valleys and cleaves. Others we'd suggest you explore include the Teign Gorge and Lustleigh Cleave, the Dewerstone Valley and Tavy Cleave. The National Trust's Lydford Gorge is wonderful.
Photo Gallery
