The best walks and hikes around Marystow

There are over 70 hiking routes available around Marystow, offering a wide range of options for various abilities and interests. These trails are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 300 reviews.

Hiking around Marystow offers access to diverse natural landscapes, characterized by expansive moorland, dramatic granite tors, and deep gorges featuring impressive waterfalls. Its proximity to Dartmoor National Park provides immediate access to a vast network of trails and stunning vistas.

Yes, there are over 25 easy hiking trails around Marystow. A good option for a shorter, less strenuous walk is the Large Mushroom Sculpture – Whitelady Waterfall loop from White Lady Waterfall, which is just over 2 km long and takes about 40 minutes to complete. Another easy route is the Roadford Reservoir – Upper Tamar Lake Café loop from Lakeside Cafe, offering pleasant lakeside views.

Absolutely. The region is home to impressive waterfalls. The Lydford Gorge – Whitelady Waterfall loop from White Lady Waterfall is a popular choice, taking you through the deepest gorge in the South West and past the breathtaking 100-foot Whitelady Waterfall. You can also explore the Lydford Gorge itself, managed by the National Trust.

Many of the trails around Marystow are designed as circular routes, allowing you to start and end at the same point. Examples include the Brentor Church – St Michael's Church, Brent Tor loop from Brentor, which offers panoramic views, and the Gibbet Hill loop from Brentor, leading through open moorland.

The area around Marystow is rich in natural and historical landmarks. You can visit the impressive Widgery Cross at Brat Tor, the tallest cross on Dartmoor, offering panoramic views. The dramatic Lydford Gorge and its Whitelady Waterfall are also must-see natural features. For historical interest, the St Michael's Church, Brent Tor, perched atop a volcanic cone, is a prominent landmark.

Yes, for experienced hikers seeking more challenging terrain, there are 9 difficult routes available. These often involve greater elevation changes and longer distances across the moorland. While specific difficult routes are not listed here, you can filter for 'difficult' trails on komoot to find them.

Many trails in and around Dartmoor National Park are dog-friendly, but it's important to keep dogs under close control, especially near livestock or ground-nesting birds. Always check local signage for specific restrictions, particularly in nature reserves or protected areas.

The best time to hike around Marystow is generally from spring to autumn (April to October) when the weather is milder and the days are longer. Summer offers the warmest temperatures, but spring and autumn provide beautiful scenery with fewer crowds. Winter hikes are possible but require appropriate gear due to potentially harsh weather conditions on the exposed moorland.

While specific routes with integrated pub stops are not detailed here, the region around Marystow and Dartmoor National Park has many charming villages with traditional pubs and cafes. Planning a route that passes through or near a village like Brentor or Lydford would likely offer opportunities for refreshments.

Hiking durations vary significantly depending on the route's length and difficulty. For example, the Lydford Gorge – Whitelady Waterfall loop takes approximately 2 hours, while the longer Gibbet Hill loop from Brentor can take nearly 4 hours. There are also shorter, easy walks that can be completed in under an hour.