- overlooking the high moorland and bellever Forest. the Dartmoor national Park Authority is the caretaker of the moor – conserving and enhancing its landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage. it runs three information centres at Haytor, Postbridge and Princetown and a mobile informa- tion point at various locations. these information centres are a great starting point for a trip to the moor and offer an abundance of maps and up-to-date information, including vital knowledge of military firing times if you’re heading out onto the more remote northern areas. the Dartmoor national Park Authority organises guided walks, events and educa- tional activities. visit
www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk where you can also download a free “audio walk” or click on the handy Postbridge webcam, which updates a live image every ten minutes.
An interesting and quite unique way to explore Dartmoor
is by “letterboxing” – searching out and collecting stamps hidden across the moor. there are around 2,000 “letter- boxes” out on the moor at any one time and a network of people who have found more than 100. See www.dartmoor-
letterboxing.org for information and clues to the whereabouts of the letterboxes out there at the moment. Also unique to Dartmoor is the Dartmoor Hill Pony. the ponies, believed to date back to prehistoric times, are owned by farmers but graze on the open commons all year round. they are such a delight to encounter, especially in late spring when the new foals are around. the ponies may no longer be truly wild creatures but they should not be approached and fed. if you want to get closer then the Miniature Pony Centre at Moretonhampstead gives you a chance to meet and handle some of the more domesticated ones. Check
www.miniatureponycentre.com for details and for more information on Dartmoor ponies see
www.dpht.co.uk if you fancy experiencing Dartmoor from the saddle then you can hire horses and ponies at most of the trekking and riding centres across the moor. Many provide tuition and guided tours, catering for beginners and advanced riders. Contact Shilstone rocks riding Centre at www.Dartmoor-
riding.com or Cholwell riding Stables at
www.cholwellriding-
stables.co.uk
And for something a bit different how about taking a walk across the moor with a llama?! Dartmoor llama walks will take you and your friendly llama on a cream tea or picnic walk. the llamas will happily carry your bags and a picnic provided by the company. visit www.dartmoorllamawalks.
co.uk to book. if you’re after something more adventurous such as gorge scrambling, abseiling or weaselling – a sort of hybrid version of scrambling and crawling under and over boulders - there’s plenty of kindred spirits out on the moor to join you. visit
www.adventureokehampton.com or www.spirit-of-adventure. com for more details. the river Dart Country Park is a great place for adrena- line junkies too. Activities include high zip wires; rope climbing; lake canoeing and zorbing (walking on water in an inflated large ball!). Check
www.riverdart.co.uk for opening times and prices.
Or for something more peaceful, moorland angler tim James offers fly-fishing tuition, all tackle provided, at www.
mastercaster.co.uk. Check
www.westcountryangling.com for fishing regulations on the moor.
However you decide to explore the great wilderness that is
Dartmoor you’re sure to return more refreshed and relaxed. By Kate Cotton
Walking with Llamas Please mention By The Dart when responding to adverts. To advertise here, please call 01803 835740 or email
mark@bythedart.co.uk
Ashburton
Dartmoor Ponies
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