Miles Without Stiles Haytor Quarry
Route Details
Route type: For Some. A 2 km (there and back) linear moorland route. Road crossing and gentle, uphill track. Some narrow and steep sections through the quarry. For Most. 1 km there and back if only going as far as the quarry entrance.
Disabled Ramblers Category Level: 2/3
Distance: 2 km or 1 km there and back if only going as far as the quarry entrance.
Start point: Haytor middle car park SX 763 771
Getting there: Park on the south side of the B3387, just uphill from the National Park Visitor Centre at Haytor, 3 miles west of Bovey Tracy.
Facilities: Public & disabled toilets at the National Park Visitor Centre.
Download route
This route heads gently uphill to Haytor Quarry and returns the same way. It passes below the eastern flanks of Haytor Rocks, probably the most iconic tor in the National Park. A slightly narrower path allows access through the old quarry itself. This is quite sheltered and a great place for a picnic.
Directions from Middle Car Park
- Exit the car park at its eastern end. Head diagonally north-east towards the road across the grassy area and after about 20 metres cross it where flat stone allows access.
- Follow the obvious track on the opposite side of the road. This leads all the way up to the quarry gate (500m).
- Once through the gate follow the trail through the quarry and exit via another gate on the north side of the quarry.
- On exiting this gate head directly north following the main path and after 300m or so take the grassy path which bears off to the left. After about 100m you will reach the old granite tramway.
- Once the tramway has been reached this is an excellent viewpoint to stop at.
- You can return via the same way.
- Alternatively return below by following the main path you find on the left before re-entering the quarry.
- Follow this very informal trail around the base of the quarry, it then swings around to the right to join the main track just below the first quarry gate.
Directions from Visitor Centre Car Park
- Exit the car park, heading west and make for the grassy area on the other side of access track in front of you.
- Once you have crossed this track follow the well-worn path gradually uphill towards the middle car park. This runs 25m parallel to the main highway.
- After about 200m you will find the crossing point to let you join the directions from point 2 in the directions above.
- Return via the same route.
Did you know?
- The area is particularly important for its industrial heritage of quarrying granite and tin.
- It is also the start of the Templer Way, the tramway (opened in 1820) carrying granite from the quarries here to Teignmouth docks. Nelson’s Column was made from this particularly hard granite.
- Look out for ground nesting birds including curlew, skylark and meadow pipit. Cuckoos can often be heard in spring.