27/07/2025
🌿 Wistman’s Wood Walk – A Magical Dartmoor Adventure 🌿
📍 Princetown, Devon
🚶♀️ Distance: 7.6 km loop | 🕒 Duration: ~2 hours | 🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
Had an amazing time exploring the wild beauty of Wistman’s Wood – one of Dartmoor’s most mystical spots! ✨ Moss-covered boulders, ancient twisted oaks, wide open moorland, and the peaceful rush of the river – it’s a walk straight out of a fairytale.
Route Highlights:
• Parked opposite the Two Bridges Hotel (small car park available).
• Followed the stone wall past the cottage (the dogs were friendly and just saying hello!).
• Kept the river to our left and headed straight for the woods in the distance.
• The path splits just before the forest – left takes you through the magical woods, right goes around them.
• We wandered through the atmospheric woods, full of ancient mossy trees and giant granite boulders.
• After exiting the woods, we veered left toward a stony wall and the river (warning: boggy in winter!).
• Crossed near a tall wooden pole by a small dam and followed the old leat through grazing land – sheep, lambs, and cows all around. 🐑
• Continued to Beardown Farm, turned left, and followed the signposted path past a metal gate and down to an old bridge.
• Entered the woods again and followed the river back to the main road.
• A short stroll along the B3357 led us back to the car park.
🌧️ Top Tip: If it’s been raining recently, parts of the trail (especially near the river and wall crossing) can be very boggy – waterproof boots are a must!
🐶 Dog Note: Most of the walk is dog-friendly, but one stile near the end isn’t ideal for larger pups.
All in all, an unforgettable loop with sweeping moorland views, mystical woodlands, and some Dartmoor magic. Highly recommend this one to any nature lovers or adventure seekers! 🌲💚
📸 (Don’t forget your camera – it’s stunning out there!)