Big-View Walks
Reach the high ground and see the moors as they were meant to be seen — for miles.
Some walks are about the journey. Some are about reaching a point where the landscape opens up and the effort suddenly makes complete sense. These are the second kind.
The three South West moors offer viewpoints that are genuinely among the finest in England — not because the hills are high, but because the plateau landscapes give long unbroken views across open country. On a clear day from the right tor you can see the sea in two directions.
These routes have been chosen because the views are the payoff, not incidental. They range from short walks to easy viewpoints to longer ridge routes that sustain the panorama for miles.
Who this page is for
- Photographers looking for the best landscape vantage points on the moors
- Walkers who want a clear destination and reward — a summit or viewpoint — rather than a circular woodland route
- Visitors who want to understand the scale and character of the moors from above
- Families where the children respond better to a clear goal — 'we're going to reach that tor'
About this area
The best big-view walking on Dartmoor is from the high tors of the central plateau — Hay Tor, Great Mis Tor, Cosdon Beacon. On Exmoor, the Dunkery Beacon area offers the most extensive inland views, while the coastal headlands give sea views in two directions. Bodmin's Rough Tor and Brown Willy are smaller but the views on a clear day extend to the coast on three sides.
Safety on this terrain
High viewpoints on open moorland are exposed to weather. Even in summer, summit temperatures are several degrees cooler than in the valleys. Carry extra layers. On clear days the temptation is to forget this — don't.
When to go
Spring (Apr–May)
Excellent visibility after winter rain. Snow on high ground possible into April. Long views on clear days.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Popular season. Arrive early for the clearest air — heat haze develops by mid-morning. Sunset walks are spectacular.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
The best big-view season. Cold clear air after September fronts, low sun angles, exceptional photography light.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Views can be extraordinary on clear winter days. Cold and exposed — full kit required on high ground.
Plan your visit
Use the interactive map to explore routes, check conditions, and plan your day across all three moors.
Open the map