Dartmoor: Brentor and the Lyd Valley Walk
Devon
Brent Tor is a striking volcanic plug crowned by the eleventh century church of St Michael de Rupe, perched above the western edge of Dartmoor with views over the Tamar Valley and west into Cornwall. This walk links the church climb with the open moorland valley of the River Lyd to the north, and it is a dog friendly day with a real mix of moor, lane and riverside.
The Lyd Valley is open access moorland with grazing sheep, cattle and Dartmoor ponies, so on this kind of land dogs must be on a short fixed lead of no more than 2 metres between 1 March and 31 July to protect lambs and ground-nesting birds. Underfoot is a mix of grassy tracks, short rocky climbs to the church, country lanes and rough valley paths that can be boggy after rain. Parking sits in the small car park beside the church, with the Brentor Inn just down the lane for a dog friendly post-walk meal.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.5 km (5.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Historic, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Brentor Inn nearby for food and drink; no facilities on the moor.
- Parking
- Free small car park beside Brent Tor church, with overflow on the lane.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dartmoor: Brentor and the Lyd Valley Walk dog friendly?
Yes, this is a dog friendly walk with a rating of 7 out of 10. It offers a good mix of open moorland, riverside paths, country lanes and a short rocky climb to the church at Brent Tor, making for a varied and enjoyable day out with your dog.
Can dogs be off lead at Dartmoor: Brentor and the Lyd Valley Walk?
It depends on the time of year. The Lyd Valley is open access moorland with grazing sheep, cattle and Dartmoor ponies, so dogs must be kept on a short fixed lead of no more than 2 metres between 1 March and 31 July to protect lambs and ground-nesting birds. Outside of that period, the rules are less restrictive, but you should always be mindful of grazing animals on the moor.
What should I know before visiting Dartmoor: Brentor and the Lyd Valley Walk with my dog?
The paths can be boggy after rain, so decent footwear is advisable, and the climb up to the church at Brent Tor is short but rocky. There are no facilities on the moor itself, so it's worth knowing that the Brentor Inn is just down the lane from the car park and welcomes dogs, making it a handy stop for food and drink after your walk. Parking is free in the small car park beside the church, with overflow space on the lane.
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