The Dartmoor Walks

Well, I've had a look at some potential routes for the Easter weekend. Still got to make some decisions but overall its looking pretty good!
The first route checked was from Postbridge to Dartmeet via Bellever Tor; then along the East Dart river to the Bellever Forest and back to Postbridge. A super walk of around 10 miles with a stop for lunch halfway at Dartmeet, there are some great views and some fascinating sites of ancient stone rows and circles. It is a fairly varied route encompassing pine forest, open moorland, and the boulder-strewn valley of the River Dart. One of the best bits for me was the path over Bellever Tor with its panoramic views (including a sighting of the distant Dartmoor Prison).
My original route avoided Dartmeet itself and took us to a tearoom at Brimpts, after which we would have followed a lovely route along the other bank of the East Dart until we came to ....... the stepping stones!!! It was perfect conditions on the day with a low river level and dry stones but I was still well out of my comfort zone as I wobbled my way across .... so I decided that it would be unreasonable to ask others to do the same - especially as conditions could well be dodgy if there has been rainfall! So we will drop down to Dartmeet which will be busy at Easter but I will have reserved us space at the Badgers Holt cafe for lunch. We will then continue up the river valley until we get to a place with the great name of Laughter Hole. There are more stepping stones here but we will ignore them (I think) and instead, take the plunge! No, not into the river, but through gorse and hawthorn bushes for about a quarter of a mile (not easy walking I'm afraid) until we emerge at the Snaily House (more of that later ... a gruesome tale awaits ...). We then continue alongside the river until we cross it via the picturesque Bellever Bridge  and make our way back to the start point.
So ... points to note: a lovely walk, most of it reasonable underfoot. The part across moorland will be boggy in places and there is almost a mile down a twisty road into Dartmeet where great care will be required. Those gorse and thorn bushes mentioned above are hard work and if there has been much rain there will also be large puddles and wet ground to negotiate. Also, it is a fairly long drive to the start and, being the Easter weekend, both Postbridge and Dartmeet will be very busy.

The next potential route is on the High Moor, close to our base at Yelverton. I am still looking at options for this walk but basically it climbs a long track to Eylesbarrow tin mines, disused now but once the centre of a thriving community, and then on to Nuns Cross and Nuns Cross farm. This desolate but beautiful area was once an important crossing point on Dartmoor. From here we strike of south across moorland until we turn to walk parallel to the River Plym below us. Skirting round the spookily named Evil Combe (because it is boggy, not because we are scared!), we then come to the atmospheric Giant's Basin with its large standing stones, stone rows, and other artefacts. After spending some time here we move on to another interesting site, Ditsworthy Warren House where in the past rabbits were farmed commercially, before we take the route back to the start point.
Points to note on this walk: length depends on final route but around 9 or 10 miles; a superb walk with panoramic views in desolate and wild moorland and with many historic and ancient sites of great interest. Not particularly easy walking and very dependant on weather conditions on day. Will require packed lunch as no facilities at any point.

The third route proposed starts at Widecombe-In-The Moor. This 7 mile walk starts by climbing steeply out of Widecombe and onto the Moor where it follows part of the Two Moors Way to reach Hamel Down with its Beacon and barrows, and there are super views on a clear day. We then leave here to descend to Natsworthy with its narrow lanes and then turn upwards  along a track running under a series of prominent and craggy tors until we emerge at Bonehill Rocks. We then walk downhill back into Widecombe.
Points to note: after an initial steep climb the rest of the walk is relatively easy and ground conditions good depending on recent weather. The walk is pleasantly varied ranging from open moorland to wooded pathways and country lanes. Widecombe is a tourist attraction and is likely to be busy and it is also a long drive from Yelverton. There are no facilities on the walk so a packed lunch will probably be required although there are cafes and pubs in the town for refreshments at the end of the walk.

General note 1: Dartmoor is a beautiful and fascinating place to walk with lots of history and folklore. However, it can be subject to sudden and extreme weather changes. Also the weather that has preceded our walking weekend will determine ground conditions. Therefore the above routes may be varied as necessary and you are reminded that good footwear and weatherproof clothing is essential.
General note 2: Routes are still being considered so those described above are not confirmed. There will be 2 longer (day) routes and 1 shorter (half-day) route.