Bikepacking Dartmoor: A 2-Day Adventure

The Plan

I had planned the route using my previous GPX data and Komoot, aiming to cover a bit more ground off-road. The total distance was around 120 kilometers, split evenly over two days, with 6 hours of cycling each day. This left us ample time to travel to and from Dartmoor.

Day 1: Moretonhampstead to Peter Tavy

We started our journey in Moretonhampstead, a convenient base for exploring Dartmoor from the east side. The public parking was reasonably priced (£5.6o for 2 days!), offering a secure spot for the car and also provides public toilets, quite helpful after a long ride 😅

The first few miles gave us a taste of the challenging terrain. Even on tarmac, we found ourselves longing for lower gears. With our heavily loaded gravel bikes, we had to hike our bikes quite frequently.

The weather took a turn for the worse as we continued. The wind picked up, and we got soaked several times. Thankfully, we found refuge at the Pump & Pedal cafe near Okehampton. A cup of coffee and a slice of cake gave us the energy to tackle the second half of the day.

The route became increasingly challenging as we descended towards Peter Tavy Inn. The paths were treacherous, and the rain was relentless. However, a warm meal and a pint at the inn cheered us up, and we were ready to find a wild camping spot.

We found a perfect spot on our map, but the reality of the terrain was different. Despite the challenges, we found a peaceful spot with soft grass. We set up our tents, brewed a cup of tea on our micro stove, and enjoyed a warm drink before falling asleep (alright, we had a little sip of whisky too!)

Day 2: Foggintor Quarry, Bellever, and Back to the Car Park

We woke up to a foggy morning so thick, I could barely see my own nose. The forecast promised better weather, but I was starting to doubt the weatherman's psychic abilities. After a quick breakfast of tortilla wraps and coffee (the only thing that could wake us up from this foggy slumber), we packed up and ventured into the unknown.

As the fog started to lift, we were greeted with a spectacular view. The moors were like a giant chessboard, dotted with granite rocks and tors that looked like ancient chess pieces. We visited Foggintor Quarry, which was so peaceful, I thought I heard the fish whispering secrets. And Bellever? Well, it was like stepping into a postcard, with Bellever Tor standing tall and proud, and the River Dart lazily flowing through the valley.

From Bellever, we decided to cut the day short. We were tired and had enough of the challenging terrain, our shoes soaked from the constant rain and mud. We took the main road back to the car park, which was a much easier ride. We enjoyed the exhilarating downhill sections, reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h with no effort.

The descent was like a rollercoaster ride without the safety bars. The scenery was breathtaking, but I was too busy gripping the handlebars to fully appreciate it. We could see horses and sheep grazing on the rolling hills, which made me wonder if they were competing in a real-life version of 'Animal Crossing.' And then there were the Dartmoor ponies, who seemed to be on permanent vacation, just wandering around like they owned the place.

A Final Reflection

This 2-day Dartmoor bikepacking adventure was a rollercoaster of emotions. I loved the challenge of the terrain – or should I say, terrain the challenge? The stunning scenery was a constant reminder that I was in a national park, not a mud pit. Well, maybe a mud pit with stunning scenery. And the sense of accomplishment? Well, I felt like a conquering hero... until I realized we didn't finish the entire route. But hey, that just means we have an excuse to come back and do it all again. And this time, I might bring a flotation device for the muddy sections 🤣

Here are some helpful links if you're planning a bikepacking ride in Dartmoor

• wild camping interactive map
• Peter Tavy Inn
• Pump & Pedal Cafe
• alternative, easier GPX route
• parking in Moretonhampstead