Type and hit ENTER
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • About Fi
  • CONTACT
  • OUTDOORS
    • Outdoor gear reviews
    • Map reading and navigation
  • TRAIN ADVENTURES
    • Ideas to get you started
    • Station to station walks
    • Devon and Cornwall
    • UK train adventures
    • Europe train adventures
  • WRITING
HOP ON BOARD
I'm a freelance writer and content creator with a passion for the outdoors and sustainable travel. I specialise in sustainable travel, gear reviews, walking routes and outdoor advice. Let's chat about your next project.
Fi Darby Freelance
Image Not Found On Media Library
Image Not Found On Media Library
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • About Fi
  • CONTACT
  • OUTDOORS
    • Outdoor gear reviews
    • Map reading and navigation
  • TRAIN ADVENTURES
    • Ideas to get you started
    • Station to station walks
    • Devon and Cornwall
    • UK train adventures
    • Europe train adventures
  • WRITING

Adventures by train – wild camping on Dartmoor

May 25, 2022

A Dartmoor wild camp by trainΒ 

Update March 2023: The situation around wild camping on Dartmoor is evolving. Although the High Court ruled in January that there is no legal right to backpack camp on Dartmoor, the National Park Authority have agreed a new permissive system, which allows considerate camping in certain areas. There are a few changes to the Dartmoor wild camping map but you can still comfortably walk to permitted camping areas from both Okehampton and Ivybridge train stations. I’ve given more specific information below.

Station: Ivybridge

Travel time from London: 3 hoursΒ 

Travel time from Bristol: 2.5 hours

Author’s adventure tip: Don’t overpack, you’ll be heaving your rucksack on and off trains as well as up onto Dartmoor. Take the essentials then perhaps one luxury item (mine was a book).Β 

Practicalities: There isn’t a toilet at Ivybridge Station. The nearest one is a twenty-minute walk away at Leonard’s Road PL21 OSL (cash required). There’s no cafΓ© either so make sure you save something good to eat as a reward for your adventure or leave time to visit the shop at Costly St, PL21 0DB.Β 

Your train adventure

If there’s one predictable thing about this adventure, it’s its unpredictability. Climb onto Harford Moor on a balmy day, and you’ll be treated to unbeatable moorland and sea views. Arrive on a misty one, and you’ll feel completely cut off from the rest of the world. Either is wonderful, both require a map and compass. I visited in early March.

Three basic emergency navigation skills

Your wild camping walk

Hop off the train at Ivybridge Station, and you’ll find yourself right on the edge of a wealth of Dartmoor adventure opportunities. Just a ten-minute stroll along the road will take you to the start of not one but two long distance walking routes.

We know how to hike here in Devon.Β 

The popular 102-mile Two Moors Way crosses Dartmoor and Exmoor to connect Devon’s more gentle south to its rugged north. The newer 108-mile Dartmoor Way walking route circumnavigates Dartmoor, and takes you through some of the national park’s beautiful fringe villages and towns.Β 

But if distance isn’t your thing, don’t worry.Β 

You won’t need to complete either of the above to enjoy a satisfying wild camping adventure. Heave on your rucksack, walk three kilometres from the station, and you’ll find yourself just inside one of Dartmoor’s permitted wild camping areas.Β 

But you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.

Tips for solo wild camping

Your wild camping walking route

I’ve described an example walk below but you’ll find plenty of options on this fantastic part of Dartmoor. This is also a great route for runners, and Harford Moor has some fantastic bridleways if bike packing is more your thing.Β 

Your walking route on OS Maps: Ivybridge wild camping

This 11 kilometre (7 mile) circular walk takes you on a winding route from and to Ivybridge train station. Follow the disused track of the Redlake Tramway as it snakes around Harford Moor, then loop back to enjoy sea and moorland views from Ugborough Beacon. As you walk, spot tors, cairns, and one of Dartmoor’s famous stone crosses. If you’re visiting in spring or summer, listen out for the trill of skylarks as they rise high above their nests.Β 

Whether you choose to pack your tent or bivvy bag, you won’t be disappointed with this easy to access but satisfyingly wild camping experience. We recommend checking the Dartmoor National Park Authority backpack camping map if you’re tempted further afield by the promise of wilder moor and remote lakes. But stick to the flat area east of the track, and west of Ugborough Beacon, and you’ll find plenty of permissible wild camping options. We’ve broken the walk into ten easy steps to help you find your way.Β 

  1. Find the Two Moors Way marker stoneΒ 

As you leave Ivybridge Station, ignore the signs for the park and ride (no parking nonsense for happy train travellers). Instead turn right along the footpath. Cross the road, and continue in the same direction until you see a lane on the right. At the bottom of this lane, spot the Dartmoor National Park sign, and in the wall opposite, the Two Moors Way marker stone.Β 

2. Follow the lane uphillΒ 

Walk up the lane over the railway bridge. Turn right onto the stony lane opposite Stowford Farm. Listening out for birdsong, follow this lane uphill until you come to the gate onto Harford Moor. Please read the advice on erosion, and shut the gate behind you.Β Β 

3. Walk uphill to the railway trackΒ 

Continuing in a similar direction, follow the bridleway and the Two Moors Way across the grass until you meet the old railway track. Don’t forget to listen out for skylarks.Β 

4. Follow the track round Wetherdon HillΒ 

The track follows the contour lines of Wetherdon Hill here. Enjoy this relatively flat section, and keep your eyes peeled for Hangershell Rock on the right. If you fancy a quick climb, it’s worth taking a detour up to the rock. Especially if this is your first Dartmoor tor.Β 

5. Find Spurrell’s CrossΒ 

You’ll need to keep your wits about you to find Spurrell’s Cross. It’s on the right (east) of the track but you can’t see it immediately. The turn off is on a junction but not an obvious one. If you get to a shallow pool, you’ve gone too far. Turn round, walk back about 15 paces then follow the grass path down to the cross. On a windy day, Spurrell’s Cross can be a good spot for a sheltered cuppa.Β 

6. Choose your camp locationΒ 

Following the controversial and disappointing decision by the High Court regarding wild camping on Dartmoor, and the subsequent agreement between Dartmoor National Park Authority and some Dartmoor landowners, the area described on this walk is no longer available for wild camping. If you continue north on the track towards Three Barrows, you will eventually find yourself back inside the revised Dartmoor wild camping area. You’ll need a map and compass here if you plan to head away from the track.

At this point, you’ll have reached the most northerly point of this walk. Carry on along the track to find your perfect camping spot or explore the area between the track and Ugborough Beacon. The idea is to be as unobtrusive as possible so camp away from the track, and don’t pitch your tent until it’s nearly dark.Β 

7. Climb Ugborough BeaconΒ 

From Spurrell’s Cross follow the grass tracks up to Ugborough Beacon. Explore the tumulus (burial mound) and Beacon Rocks then enjoy the splendid views across South Devon, and out to sea.Β 

8. Cross Lud BrookΒ 

You might want to use your compass for this section. Otherwise look for a faint track that leads west down from the tumulus to the stream. Cross the stream at the ford area. If you go south here by mistake, don’t worry. These tracks will still take you off the moor, you’ll just have a longer walk on the lane back to the station.Β 

9. Discover the Cuckoo Ball burial chamberΒ 

Once you’ve crossed the stream, head downhill and south west until you meet the enclosure fence. Continuing south west, follow the enclosure round. Where the fence changes again, look around for the Cuckoo Ball chambered tomb (it might be obscured by grass in the summer).Β 

10. Head back down to the laneΒ 

Heading away from the boundary now, follow the track downhill and south until it bends round to meet another section of the disused railway line. Follow this again until you see a dug-out section on the right. Leave the railway here to head south off the moor. When you get to the trees, turn right (west) then left (south) to find your way down to the lane.Β 

11. Return to Ivybridge stationΒ 

At the end of the lane, turn right then right again, following signs to the park and ride. Just a short walk along the footpath will take you back to Ivybridge Station.

Plan your own walking route with OS Maps 2022

How to wild camp on Dartmoor

Check your camping area

Backpack or wild camping is a wonderful adventure, and we’re really lucky on Dartmoor to have some fantastic areas to choose from. To make sure you’re in a permitted camping area, check the backpack camping map on the Dartmoor National Park Authority website. On some areas of the North Moor (not near Ivybridge), you also need to check online that the Army aren’t doing live firing exercises on one of their ranges.Β 

Pack warm and dry

Whilst I advocate packing as light as you can, there are some items of kit you really don’t want to leave behind (see my numpty mistake in ‘Author’s Adventure’ below). Aim to stay warm and dry. Line your rucksack with a rubble sack or dry bag, and pack any important kit into separate dry bags. A sleeping mat can make the difference between a cosy night and a chilly one. Pack plenty of food as you’ll burn more calories than you expect, especially in colder weather. A hot meal is always a good idea.Β 

Avoid getting lost

In good visibility you could manage this walk safely as long as you stayed on or very near to the track. In poor visibility or the dark however, some map and compass navigation skills would come in useful. If you choose to follow this route on an app, I would recommend taking another, fully-charged phone for emergencies. Always tell at least one person where you are going to be, and what time you plan to be back. Don’t publish location details online before you set off.

Emergency advice

In the event of an emergency, first consider whether or not you can stay safely in your tent until morning. If not, phone 999, and ask for the Police as they coordinate remote rescues.Β 

I love solo adventures but if this is your first wild camp, you might enjoy it more if you take a friend.Β 

Leave no trace

Have fun, and remember to leave no evidence of your presence. Don’t presume that things will biodegrade quickly, take everything (even used loo roll) home with you.Β 

Author’s adventure

Although I’ve been wild camping on Dartmoor for nearly twenty years now, this was only my second solo venture.Β 

Endless possibilities

I first explored the possibilities of wild campingΒ  by train in early March 2022. I packed as light as possible, choosing my tent instead of my bivvy bag because there was rain and mist forecast. My excitement at arriving at a sunny Ivybridge was slightly dampened when the rain started as I reached the railway track. The visibility was low so I stuck to the track until I reached a camping spot I had previously selected. It was further north than the walk above takes you, and about a kilometre off the track.Β 

A silly mistake

I had pitched my tent, eaten my dinner, and was just looking forward to an early night of cosy reading when I realised I had left my torch at home. No reading for me. Not much of anything really, as the dry bag that contained my torch also contained my phone charger, and my phone battery was already at 50%. All I could do was go to bed. At six thirty.Β 

Darkness is relative

It was an interesting night. The wind got up. The tent flapped. I woke almost every hour. My only view was clouds, grass and a few sheep. I soon realised that even in the mist, dark is a relative term. Although it was dark in the tent, outside was eerily light. It turns out that this half-light was less disconcerting than the deep shadows usually cast by my head torch.Β 

That said, I was relieved to see morning.

Komoot or OS Maps. Which app is best for walking route planning?

Three nights, four types of sleep. There’s accommodation on Dartmoor to suit everyone.

May 25, 2022
Email

Related News

Other posts that you should not miss.

Adventures by train – station to station walks

March 22, 2023

With over 2,000 mainline train stations, it’s easy enough to find walks from UK train stations but finding …

Read More
March 22, 2023

The Geoneedle walk from Exmouth train station

December 11, 2024

Exploring Exmouth on foot from the train station is easy. I’m not sure I’ll take the car again. …

Read More
December 11, 2024
Woman with grey hair on train in baggy shirt raising a glass of white wine to the camera.

My GWR Pullman Dining Experience

June 5, 2024

Travel between London and Cornwall in delicious style with GWR. I love trains and I love food (doesn’t …

Read More
June 5, 2024

OUTDOOR AND TRAVEL WRITER

Outdoors life by Loch Lomond in Scotland

You love the outdoors. I love the outdoors.
Let's make beautiful content together.

fi darby
Instagram
When you don't like your legs enough to wear short When you don't like your legs enough to wear shorts

But do it anyway.

The South West Coast Path in the sunshine; what better place to let my legs have a taste of sunshine.

Being a plus size and over fifty, I often envy people who have the confidence to wear shorts but find it difficult to accept that my legs are suitable for public view.

Today I decided that I actually didn't care.

It was very liberating.

Perhaps I should write an outdoor gear review for my legs.

#plussize #outside #outdoors #shorts #outdoorgear #gearreview #legs #overfifty #southwestcoastpath
Which of these counts as litter? πŸ‘‡πŸ» 'Take a Which of these counts as litter? πŸ‘‡πŸ»

'Take all your rubbish home with you.' It is an important part of the Leave No Trace message and it's particularly important when you're camping in beautiful wild camping locations.

But what counts as rubbish?

It's a question I ask DofE trainees every year.

1. Chocolate bar wrappers? Yes -take it home
2. Tea bags? Yes -take it home
3. Orange peel? Yes -take it home
4. Noodles? Yes -take it home
5. Banana skins? Yes -take it home
6. Toilet paper? Yes -take it home
7. Tampons? Yes -take it home
8. Poo? Yes -take it home (or bury it properly)

Some of these cause comments but arriving prepared to take everything (including yours or your dog's poo home) home is the best way to look after the places you wild camp.

Things we traditionally think of as 'biodegradable' will (after a long time) eventually disappear from view but everything leaves an invisible trace that wouldn't have been there if you hadn't.

This summer, let's look after the places we love.

#wildcamping #leavenotrace #location #walking
#outside #getoutside #takeithome #outdoors
I've got some news for you... There are only 43 d I've got some news for you...

There are only 43 days until the summer solstice. That's 43 days until the nights start drawing in again.

The weeks between the start of May and June 21st are my favourite of the whole year. They are the weeks when the world turns green and the sun sets golden.

And the days stretch on forever.

Summer might not officially start until June but May brings summertime to my heart.

It's easy to waste these long evenings though. Busy lives can often be tiring and getting outside after work can seem like a lot of effort compared to sitting in front of the TV.

But it's so much better for the soul.

Why not set aside an evening next week to spend some time outside. This was Dartmoor on a Thursday night but your evening outside could be anywhere. The local park, the beach, a nearby hill or even just a footpath.

I promise, you'll sleep much better than you would after a night watching Netflix.

#dartmoor #notflix #outside #summer #may #eveningwalk
What is train travel in France like? It's natural What is train travel in France like?

It's natural to feel nervous about new travel experiences but going to new places and doing things differently are all part of the adventure when you choose sustainable travel and take the train to Europe.

When you're Interrailing, it's easy to imagine that the travel will get trickier once you leave the UK. But this isn't necessarily true. For example:

TRAINS IN FRANCE ARE A LOT LIKE TRAINS IN THE UK.

πŸ‡«πŸ‡· They mostly turn up on time
πŸ‡«πŸ‡· They're often super fast (city to city)
πŸ‡«πŸ‡· But sometimes slow (great for views)
πŸ‡«πŸ‡· Some are very long (leave plenty of boarding time)
πŸ‡«πŸ‡· Some have restaurant carriages (worth a visit)
πŸ‡«πŸ‡· Very few have ticket barriers
πŸ‡«πŸ‡· Very few have English announcements or screen info
πŸ‡«πŸ‡· Some are double decker (check your reservation)
πŸ‡«πŸ‡· Most have comfy seats
πŸ‡«πŸ‡· Not all have WiFi and charging facilities 

Of course, the best way to find out what  flight free Interrail trip is like is to try it yourself. Especially if you are over fifty like me. You don't have to go far or to multiple countries for your first trip. 

JUST HOP ON BOARD AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

#interrail #interrailing #europe #trains #europebytrain #overfifty #adventure #travel #sustainable #flightfree
β˜€οΈ I didn't expect it to be so big... When I β˜€οΈ I didn't expect it to be so big...

When I was planning our Europe trip on the Yellow Train through the Pyrenees, I read about the solar furnace at Odeillo but dismissed visiting it as a possible activity.

'It's just a few mirrors.' I thought.

πŸ™„ WRONG!!!

Everything about this scientific installation is amazing. If you don't enjoy the science (you will), the sight of so many mirrors reflecting upside down mountain and cloud images, will cause you to stay much longer than you had planned.

πŸ•΅πŸΌβ€β™‚οΈ It's all a bit James Bond film location.

😎 10,000 times the energy of the sun!!

Find out more about the solar furnace and our Interrail trip on France's Little Yellow Train over on my website. 

🌐 LINK IN BIO

#interrail #europe #trains #pyrenees #explore #solarenergy
But which mountains? I thought the South of Franc But which mountains?

I thought the South of France was all about seaside holidays and the Mediterranean. That was until our Interrail trip took us to the Eastern Pyrenees. 

Right on the border with Catalonia/Spain, the largely unspoilt PyrΓ©nΓ©es-Orientales is brimming with Catalan culture and fantastic mountain scenery.

Within six hours from Paris, we were enjoying amazing views from one of Europe's least talked about mountain trains.

But for me the best bit was watching the scenery change as we sped from Paris to Toulouse then to Latour-de-Carol and beyond.

You can find out more details about this wonderful Interrail trip over on my website (links in bio).

#moutains #pyrenees #europe #europebytrain #ecotravel
Load More Follow on Instagram
Channel 4 - Devon and Cornwall

adventures by train blog writing car free devon family walks freelance writing hiking outdoors outdoor writer outdoor writing station to station sustainable travel torbay torquay train adventures trains Travel travel writing walking walking route working from home writing

HOP ON BOARD
I'm a freelance writer and content creator with a passion for the outdoors and sustainable travel. I specialise in sustainable travel, train adventures, gear reviews, walking routes and outdoor advice.

LET'S CHAT ABOUT YOUR NEXT PROJECT

OUTDOOR AND TRAVEL WRITER
  • January 16, 2025
    Travel writing tips – how to take effective notes
  • January 7, 2025
    Is geotagging bad for the environment?
  • January 1, 2025
    What does an outdoor influencer look like?
  • December 23, 2024
    Outdoor and travel writing trends for 2025
  • Instagram
  • Email
Fi Darby Freelance
Β© Fi Darby 2025 All Rights Reserved
Adventures by train – wild camping on Dartmoor - Fi Darby