East Hill Bluebell Circular Walk, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park

East Hill Bluebell Circular Walk, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park

In Spring, drive along the A30 as it skirts the northern border of Dartmoor National Park and you'll see purple moorland above Okehampton. This is the showing of bluebells on East Hill near the British Army's Okehampton Camp. It's up there with the best areas of bluebells in the National Park.

Relatively few people visit. As it the case across Dartmoor, the flowers usually appear in May. We've positioned East Hill on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location. Scroll through the picture gallery to see images of the area in May.

This circular walk runs through the bluebells before dropping down to the remarkably beautiful West Cleave and East Okement Valley. From there, it follows the Tarka Trail before turning back sharply to its starting point. Consult the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map for detail. The route is clearly marked.

Head to Okehampton. From there, follow the road that climbs to Okehampton Camp. You'll pass over the railway line and the cycling route the Granite Way before passing a house marked Klondyke on the Ordnance Survey map. Park on the side of the road as it bends sharply up to Okehampton Camp. Note that if you can't park here, there's space further up the road.

If you manage to park at the sharp bend in the road, you'll be next to a wooden gate. Go through the gate, follow the track downhill and you'll soon come to a vast area of bluebells. The views down to Okehampton and across Mid Devon to Exmoor National Park are superb.

Walk east through the bluebells to the ancient settlement East Hill Hillfort above West Cleave. A path drops down to the bottom of the East Okement Valley by the A30 where it connects with the Tarka Trail. Follow the Tarka Trail south along the bank of the East Okement River. It's stunning. You'll pass an open area with flat slabs of granite next to the river and then come to steps by an impressive waterfall. At the top of these steps, the Tarka Trail continues south and meets a path that climbs back up the forest towards Lower Halstock Farm. There are more bluebells here.

Follow the path back to East Hill as marked on the Ordnance Survey map. The fields around Halstock are full of miniature ponies. They're some of the cutest animals you'll see.

From East Hill, you'll connect with the road by which you parked.