Dart Valley

This is one of the most spectacular, and by far the largest of the Devon Wildlife Trust's nature reserves, and covers over 290 hectares of upland moor and unspoilt valley oak wood. Other habitats include the River Dart, pools and flushes on the valley floor and acid bogs on the valley side. The whole area is very rich in wildlife. The woods support a good variety of bird species including 3 species of woodpecker, pied flycatcher, wood warbler and redstart. The river holds breeding dipper and possibly breeding goosander, and is also used by otters.

The area also supports a nationally important colony of high brown fritillary and several other notable butterfly species. A recent discovery on this reserve is the blue ground beetle, a very rare and rather impressive creature which occurs only in this type of woodland on the fringes of Dartmoor.

Bus route not available. Walks available through Dartmoor National Park.
The entire reserve is designated 'Access Land' which allows you to explore the whole area. However the terrain is very rough in places and there are only a few recognised paths.

Road Directions

There are several access points to this enormous nature reserve and if you want to explore the entire site more thoroughly, we suggest you consult the Ordnance Survey outdoor leisure map for Dartmoor. However there are two main entry points, both with ample parking and toilets: these are at New Bridge and Dartmeet.