Wistman's Wood Ford, Two Bridges, Dartmoor National Park
Wistman's Wood is an extraordinary National Nature Reserve located in a valley cut by the West Dart River on the egde of Dartmoor's high north plateau. Wistman's Wood Ford is a place where you can, in good conditions, cross the West Dart River. The ford is roughly one kilometre north of the National Nature Reserve. It's marked on the Harvey British Mountain Map 'Dartmoor' map as 'Wistmans Wood Ford' [sic]. A green path cuts across the West Dart River at the location of the ford on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map.
On the ground, the ford is a series of big rocks spanning the water. Whilst it's easy to cross the ford in dry weather when the water levels are low, the ford is covered by fast-flowing water in wetter weather. We've turned around on many occasions when the water has been raging south to Wistman's Wood and Two Bridges. Note that, in dry weather, you can also wander across the weir just downwater of the ford.
Wistman's Wood Ford is on the old Lichway/Lych Way. If you are walking this trail in bad weather, divert to Two Bridges to cross the West Dart River before following the path back up the western side of the river to rejoin the trail. You do have to cross other streams and rivers as you continue west so it's best to plan the route in drier weather.
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