✅ Essentials Checklist
- Waterproof jacket — full spec (Dartmoor generates its own weather)
- Waterproof trousers
- Waterproof walking boots with ankle support
- OS Outdoor Leisure map 28 (Dartmoor)
- Compass — mist descends rapidly on the high moor
- Rucksack with rain cover
- Water — Dartmoor streams look clear but carry bacteria; filter or purify
- Water filter or purification tablets
- First aid kit
- Emergency shelter or bivvy bag
- Head torch
- Warm hat, gloves, buff
👕 Clothing Checklist
- Thermal base layers
- Fleece mid-layer
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Waterproof boots — well broken in
- Wool or synthetic hiking socks × 4
- Gaiters (essential — Dartmoor bogs are notorious)
- Warm hat and gloves
⭐ Nice to Have
- Wild camping kit if overnight (tent or bivvy, sleeping bag, mat)
- Trekking poles
- Satellite communicator (phone signal is poor across most of the high moor)
- Camera — granite tors are photogenic in any light
- Binoculars (Dartmoor ponies, Dartmoor is an Important Bird Area)
- Packable down jacket for camp evenings
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wild camp on Dartmoor?
Yes — Dartmoor is one of very few places in England with a statutory right to wild camp on open moorland. The Dartmoor National Park Authority asks campers to camp away from roads and enclosed land, stay no longer than two nights in one spot, leave no trace, and use a stove rather than open fires. The right does not extend to the entire moor — some areas near Okehampton are military training ranges.
Are Dartmoor bogs dangerous?
They can be — Fox Tor Mire and similar deep bogs are real hazards in poor visibility or when straying from known paths. The key rules: don't cross bogs alone in poor visibility, use gaiters and waterproof boots, probe uncertain ground with a walking pole before committing weight, and carry a map — GPS tracks on OS Maps app help identify known boggy areas.
Is Dartmoor suitable for beginners?
The valley and forest paths around Dartmoor's edges — Two Bridges, Postbridge, Fingle Bridge — are gentle and suitable for beginners and families. The high open moor requires navigation skills and proper kit. The key danger for beginners is mist descending rapidly on the plateau — always check the weather forecast and turn back if conditions deteriorate.