Tottiford, Trenchford & Kennick Reservoirs Circular Walk, Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor National Park

Tottiford, Trenchford & Kennick Reservoirs Circular Walk, Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor National Park

A beautiful, tranquil walk to the east of Dartmoor National Park

Dartmoor is known for its granite tors and high moorland. The National Park is also home to stunning valleys and gorges. Much less well known are its many reservoirs. The beautiful Tottiford, Trenchford and Kennick reservoirs are located to the north east of Dartmoor National Park and are separated by squat dam walls across which run roads. The three reservoirs form the shape of a walking stick. Kennick and Tottiford are the shaft. Trenchord is the handle. You can follow paths along the side of the water to enjoy a great walk with top views.

As ever, we'd suggest you plan this walk by looking at the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map in conjunction with our photographs (to follow), links and geolocated Google mapping.

We provide two versions of the Tottiford, Trenchford and Kennick Reservoirs Circular Walk.

 

Circular Walk 1:

Starting point

The main car park is located on the west side of Trenchford Reservoir. There's an information board with a map, a picnic area and public toilets. A parking fee applies.

 

Trenchford Reservoir

You'll see a path in the north east corner (top left as you face the reservoir) of the car park. Follow this around the edge of Trenchford Reservoir until you come to the squat dam wall that separates Trenchford from Tottiford Reservoir.

 

Tottiford Reservoir

Cross the road and continue on the path that runs around the west side of Tottiford Reservoir. The views over the water are superb. You'll come to another squat dam wall that separates Tottiford Reservoir from Kennick Reservoir. Whilst you can't walk around the latter, we'd recommend wandering up to the road that crosses the dam wall as the views up the large Kennick Reservoir are sensational.

Having taken in the views of Kennick Reservoir, head back down to Tottiford but follow the path that runs down the east bank. This takes you all the way back to the Tottiford/Trenchford dam wall. From here, wander back along the road to the car park from which you started.

 

Circular Walk 2:

Starting point

A bridge separates Trenchford and Tottiford reservoirs. There's a car park here from which to begin. [Note that there are car parking areas by the west side of Trenchford Reservoir and the southern end of Kennick Reservoir. This walk can be completed from either of these as well.]

 

Trenchford Reservoir

From the car park, walk over the Tottiford/Trenchford dam wall. On the far side of the dam wall, follow the signposted footpath left as it skirts the north bank of Trenchford Reservoir. Continue on this path as it doglegs north west. Walk all the way to the north end of Trenchford and take the path into the woods. You'll come to a second path that trends north east to a road that cuts through the woods. Cross the road and you'll see another path that takes you through more woods to the north end of Tottiford Reservoir. Wander up to the dam wall for top views of Kennick Reservoir.

 

Tottiford Reservoir

Now follow the path that runs along the east side of Tottiford Reservoir. This takes you all the way back to the car parking area from which you started.