Best Walks for Views on Dartmoor
Quick Answer
Best for first-time visitors: Haytor and Hound Tor Best for big views: Yes Tor and High Willhays Best for classic scenery: Dartmoor tors and ridge walks Best time: Clear mornings and late afternoons Top tip: Head for higher ground and tors for the widest views
Discover the best walks on Dartmoor for big views, from tors and ridgelines to open moorland panoramas.
Dartmoor is all about space, light and wide horizons. Some walks give you that instantly, with sweeping views across open moorland, tors rising from the landscape and long sightlines that stretch for miles. Others build gradually, leading you up onto higher ground where the full scale of Dartmoor reveals itself.
Where to Find the Best Views on Dartmoor
The best views on Dartmoor are usually found on higher ground. Tors, ridgelines and exposed moorland give you the widest perspectives, especially on clear days when you can see across large parts of the moor and beyond.
Eastern Dartmoor tends to be more accessible and offers classic, well-known viewpoints, while the north and west can feel bigger, wilder and more remote.
When to Go for the Best Light
Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for views, especially if you are interested in photography. Low light brings out the texture of the landscape and adds depth to the tors and valleys.
Weather changes quickly on Dartmoor, and mist can either obscure the view or add atmosphere depending on what you are looking for.
What Makes a Great View Walk
The best view walks combine elevation, open terrain and interesting features such as tors, ridges or valleys. Even shorter walks can deliver big views if they reach the right high points.
One of the most accessible areas for classic Dartmoor views, with granite tors, rolling moorland and wide-open scenery.
The highest ground on Dartmoor offers some of the biggest and most dramatic views across the moor.
A quieter area with excellent views and a more rugged feel, often less busy than the eastern tors.
Combines elevated views with river valleys and woodland, giving a mix of perspectives in one walk.
Western Dartmoor tors offering excellent views and interesting granite formations.
A striking viewpoint with views across Dartmoor and beyond, centred on the iconic hilltop church.
