Haytor

Situated on the south eastern edge of Dartmoor, Haytor has spectacular views across Dartmoor and the South Devon coast and offers good opportunities for you to experience Dartmoor’s fascinating past and the stunning wildlife and heritage within a short walk of the National Park Visitor Centre.

Covered in lichens and mosses, the imposing granite rocks of Haytor are within a protected area for its geological interest.

Did you know?

The rocky granite outcrops (tors) that dominate the landscape were formed over 280 million years ago. People have been here for over 4,000 years. You will see the remains of prehistoric round houses, field boundaries and burial cairns.

Prehistoric Dartmoor

Best things to see and do

Enjoy panoramic views from the top of Haytor Rocks.
Visit the National Park Visitor Centre and buy a 'Walks around Haytor' leaflet or the 'Haytor Down' booklet.
Catch the Haytor Hoppa bus (summer Saturdays) which stops right outside the Visitor Centre and calls in at Widecombe-in-the-Moor village. It’s great for a sightseeing trip, or to go walking.
Look out for the wonderful wildlife including rare butterflies and birds, listen out for cuckoos in the spring.
Explore Haytor Quarry and see the unique Granite Tramway which was used to transport granite from Dartmoor to the port at Teignmouth. There is an accessible Miles Without Stiles route to the quarry or you can follow the journey on the 18 mile Templer Way trail.
Download the Haytor audio walk.
Explore Bronze Age, Medieval and Industrial heritage.
Have a go at bouldering, or go climbing at Hound Tor Rocks.
If you are visiting in late spring (end of May), look out for the carpet of bluebells that cover nearby Holwell Lawn – it’s magical.

Address: Situated at the lower car park on the main road, the B3387 3 miles west of Bovey Tracey, TQ13 9XT

What’s nearby?

Yarner Woods is part of a wonderful National Nature Reserve (together with Trendlebere Down and the Bovey Valley Woodlands) and has a western oak wood that is internationally important. Look out for signs of Dormouse and Pied Flycatchers (summer visitors) on your walk in the woods.

Hound Tor is a few miles to the west of Haytor and also has impressive granite outcrops at Hound Tor Rocks. Legend has it that the rocks were originally a pack of hounds that were turned to stone by a witch. It is also said by some to have been the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s book ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’. Below Hound Tor Rocks are the remains of Hound Tor medieval village, which deserves to be explored.