The best walks and hikes around Cornwood

Parking for walks on the southern edge of Dartmoor can be found in designated car parks and lay-bys. For routes heading towards the high moor, there is often informal parking near moor gates. For example, the popular Norsworthy Bridge area has a large car park which serves as a great starting point for walks around the reservoir and surrounding forest. Always park considerately and avoid blocking gateways or narrow lanes.

Yes, the area offers several options for families. For a very accessible and short walk, the Ivybridge Longtimber Woods – Dartmoor Miles Without Stiles trail is a great choice. It's a gentle, one-mile route through the woods, perfect for little legs. The paths along the River Erme also provide relatively flat and sheltered walking suitable for a family outing.

Most trails around Cornwood and on Dartmoor are dog-friendly, and places like Hembury and Holne Woods are often praised by dog walkers. However, you will be walking in an area with livestock (sheep, cattle, ponies) and sensitive wildlife. It is crucial to keep your dog under close control at all times, and on a lead where required, especially during ground-nesting bird season (March 1st to July 31st).

For a moderately easy circular route with rewarding views, consider the Pithill Wood – Erme Valley loop from Ivybridge. This 4.3-mile (6.9 km) walk combines pleasant woodland paths along the River Erme with a gentle climb, offering a good taste of the local scenery without being too strenuous.

Yes, for experienced hikers looking for a challenge, the moors north of Cornwood offer strenuous routes. A great example is the Pithill Wood – Western Beacon Summit loop from Ugborough. This 8.8-mile (14.2 km) trek involves significant ascent to the summit of Western Beacon, rewarding you with panoramic views across the South Hams.

For expansive, panoramic views, head for the granite tors. Penn Beacon, the highest tor in the parish, offers breathtaking vistas and is a popular objective for hikers starting from Cornwood. Similarly, the summit of Western Beacon provides spectacular views towards Plymouth and across the South Hams. Both require a steady climb to reach.

The moors around Cornwood are rich in prehistoric archaeology. Hikes onto Stall Moor can lead you past the impressive Stalldown Stone Row, one of Dartmoor's longest stone rows. The area also features remnants of Bronze Age settlements, cairns, and other ancient stone circles like the Nine Maidens, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past.

The valleys around Cornwood are home to some of the UK's finest ancient upland oak woods. A walk through Dendles Wood National Nature Reserve or the more remote Piles Copse reveals a beautiful, temperate rainforest environment. Please be aware that Dendles Wood is a sensitive area and access may be restricted.

Yes, Dendles Wood is a National Nature Reserve with a fragile ecosystem. To protect the area, access is by permit only. You must apply for a permit from Natural England in advance of your visit. Unauthorised access is not permitted.

Both are excellent gateways to southern Dartmoor. Cornwood offers more immediate access to the wilder, open moorland areas like Penn Beacon and Stall Moor. Ivybridge provides great starting points for valley and woodland walks along the River Erme, like the popular Butterdon & Western Beacon loop. Your choice depends on whether you prefer a moorland expedition or a riverside ramble.

The terrain is very diverse. You'll find sheltered, often gentle paths through ancient river valleys like the Erme and Yealm. As you climb, these give way to the classic Dartmoor landscape: wide-open, exposed high moorland, boggy ground in places, and steep ascents to granite tors. Good waterproof footwear is essential.

The area is highly regarded by the komoot community, with an average rating of 4.6 stars. Hikers frequently praise the variety of the landscape, from the enchanting ancient woodlands to the vast, open moorland. The combination of accessible river walks and challenging tor climbs from a single starting area is a major highlight.