Walks Near Princetown
The highest town on Dartmoor — gateway to the wildest and most remote walking on the moor.
Princetown sits at 430m on the high central plateau of Dartmoor — the highest town in England outside the Lake District. It's also the bleakest, dominated by the Victorian prison and surrounded by some of the most demanding moorland in southern England.
But bleakness is the point. If you want the real Dartmoor — the open, treeless, weather-scoured moor that gives the place its character — this is where to start. Within a mile of the town you're on ground that hasn't changed in centuries.
The routes around Princetown include the high tors to the north, the Walkham and West Dart valleys to either side, and the ancient Dartmoor Way long-distance route. All are accessible from the large car park at the Dartmoor Visitor Centre.
Who this page is for
- Experienced walkers who want access to the most remote and wild parts of the high moor
- People who want to walk directly from a car park rather than driving to multiple start points
- Anyone interested in Dartmoor's history — the prison, the military connections, and the ancient industrial landscape of the central plateau
- Walkers planning longer routes and wanting a central base with facilities nearby
About this area
Princetown developed as a settlement to house workers and prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars. The Dartmoor Visitor Centre has good exhibitions on the landscape and history of the moor. The Plume of Feathers pub is one of the oldest buildings in town. The B3212 across the moor from Exeter is one of the most dramatic road journeys in Devon.
Safety on this terrain
The plateau above Princetown is some of the most exposed walking in southern England. In poor visibility, navigation becomes genuinely difficult. The Military Firing Range is immediately north of the town — check firing schedules before walking north of the B3357. Carry map, compass, and emergency food and water on any walk onto the high plateau.
When to go
Spring (Apr–May)
Weather can be unpredictable but the landscape is waking up. Dartmoor ponies with foals are a regular sight on the plateau.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Best chance of clear weather. The high moorland is spectacular in sunshine. Fog can descend without warning — always carry a map.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Extraordinary colours across the bracken. Crisp clear days with long views are common in early October.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Navigation skills, full kit and a weather forecast are non-negotiable on the high plateau. The solitude is remarkable.
Plan your visit
Use the interactive map to explore routes, check conditions, and plan your day across all three moors.
Open the map