Wistman’s Wood and Longaford Tor Circular

The Wistman's Wood and Longaford Tor circular covers 8 km from the quarry car park opposite Two Bridges Hotel, heading north along the West Dart River valley to one of Dartmoor's most extraordinary natural sites. Wistman's Wood is a National Nature Reserve containing one of three surviving ancient high-altitude oak woodlands on the moor — stunted, twisted oaks draped in thick moss and polypody fern, rooted among granite clitter boulders, with a damp, fungal atmosphere unlike anything in conventional woodland. From the wood, the route climbs northeast to Longaford Tor where panoramic views open across the heart of the national park, before returning south via Littaford Tors and Crockern Tor. The 100 metres of elevation gain is gentle across mostly open moorland.

Dogs should be kept under close control through the Wistman's Wood section of this dog friendly walk, as access into the reserve is restricted to protect the fragile ecosystem. The open moorland beyond the wood offers better off-lead running on the higher ground, with the peaty, bracken-scented air of central Dartmoor carrying strongly. However, high livestock presence across the moor — Dartmoor ponies, cattle and sheep — means leads must be ready throughout. The path from the car park to the wood is well-trodden and straightforward, but the circuit beyond Longaford Tor requires basic navigation with an OS map across open moor. The combination of ancient woodland atmosphere and high moorland exposure makes this one of Dartmoor's most distinctive walks.