Dartmoor 50 mile perambulation walk
Fulchet
2008-06-10 21:02:30
Although this has nothing to do with letterboxing but shares great walking on Dartmoor, I was just wondering how many people had done this walk? I'm doing it over three days from 18 to 20 August, starting at Rundlestone (possibly parking somewhere at Princetown), and then stopping overnight at Belstone and Dartmeet (keeping fingers crossed I can get a room in a B&B). I was originally going to camp but now my son and his friends aren't coming along I'm hoping to treat myself to some comfort instead, if the B&Bs aren't all booked up.
If you have done it, how did you find it?
Nik - KOTM
2008-06-11 11:38:05
I would like to do it in one day - difficult but not impossible - but if I were to do it I couldn't take my letterboxing kit - so it is more likely to be done in 2 or 3 days.
Have done 52 miles in 2 days in the past (twice) the first time was completed in a 24 hour period on Bodmin Moor Though we nearly didn't complete the first day as we sat down for an hour and refused to move unless one of the guys in our team was allowed to complete the course.. long story... but we won
Brinnie
2008-06-11 13:44:47
I’ve done this walk twice in 2003, acting as guide, two of us walked it in the March over 3 days, Rundlestone – Cullever Steps, Cullever Steps – Dartmeet, Dartmeet – Rundlestone via Eastern Whittabourgh. We had some great walking weather, not too hot, just right of a long distance walk.
When we did the walk again in the August it was the hottest weekend of the year, we started with 15 walkers and finished with 4, not the best time of year to do the walk.
I must add that the walkers that dropped out were escorted off the moor by some of the more able walkers, and collected by car at the nearest road.
Fulchet
2008-06-11 17:09:57
It must have been the same time as Brentor Boxer then.
I've now finalised my plans (and you never know it might be a cooler August week). I'm starting on the Tuesday (19th August) in the Belstone area and walking to Dartmeet, staying at Hunter's Lodge, then the next day walking to Princetown and staying at the Plume of Feathers, and the final day back up to Belstone area.
I will just take it fairly steady and get myself fit ahead of time. Really looking forward to it. I have all the following week off to recover but don't plan on overdoing it, so should be ok.
I just need to find somewhere safe to park at the start, as I know the Dartmoor people don't let you park on the moors overnight.
I do hope August will be cool for you. If it is hot I would plan an extra early start.
I would also get a friend to drop you off and pick you up so your car won't be abandoned for the 3 days.
I don't know what sort of provisions you plan on taking with you, but I would ask if at the places you are stayng if you could leave some bits there till you arrive. Much easier than carrying everything if it's not needed till later in the walk.
trekkernod
2008-07-19 09:53:39
I intend to undertake this trek in August too, during the non-firing window on the ranges. I have been meaning to do it for years. It's a pity we can't arrange a group of us to do it together
I have my route cards all made up and everything planned bar the dates, and weather. As we enter August, I will scan the weather sites for a week of good weather and off I will go. I intend to back pack all the way, and where possible have a decent meal in a nearby pub or cafe. I intend to give myself 5 or 6 days and carry food for that period, if I do it quicker then well and good, but it is a walk I want to savour.
Of course a small letterboxing kit is essential just in case you stumble across a box!
dads army
2008-07-19 12:26:06
:) I have never heard of this walk,where can I find a map of it ?
How do you stand on camping on the moor legally?
we are up to 60 boxes now. 8)
Brinnie
2008-07-19 12:35:56
sounds like it would make a half-decent run :wink:
Brinnie
2008-07-19 20:06:12
I would like to see you run between Stenga Tor and Fordsland Ledge. :lol: :lol: :lol:
have done a few times! Not as testy as the pull from Prewley to Corn Ridge, surprisingly.
Fulchet
2008-07-20 09:47:40
How do you stand on camping on the moor legally?
we are up to 60 boxes now. 8)
You are fine to camp on the moors. Just check out the Dartmoor website and it gives you all the rules. Originally, when my son and his friends were coming I was going to camp. However, as I will now be on my own, I'll be stopping at B&B at Dartmeet and Princetown. Planning to do the walk over three days.
NanoRuler
2008-07-22 20:09:10
Tina, I'd absolutely LOVE to do it, but with three yound kids, work and everything else I fear it will be a few years before I get around to doing it.
Best of luck to you!
Nik - KOTM
2008-07-29 18:02:59
You are fine to camp on the moors. Just check out the Dartmoor website and it gives you all the rules. Originally, when my son and his friends were coming I was going to camp. However, as I will now be on my own, I'll be stopping at B&B at Dartmeet and Princetown. Planning to do the walk over three days.
You are allowed to pitch a tent overnight as long as it is more than 50 yards from the road and out of sight of the said road if possible. All fires are to be controlled kept small
Fulchet
2008-08-13 07:41:33
This time next week I'll be starting on the second leg of my perambulation. People were worried about me walking it in August and getting too hot. Doesn't look like there is any danger of that as looking cool next week, thankfully. Just hope the rains stays off most of the time as the rivers are going to be high enough to manage as it is.
Really looking forward to it. Just need to get a few last minute things together, including another couple pairs of comfortable walking socks.
strevaskus
2010-08-25 01:37:17
Yes I did the Perambulation in the 1980s and it is well worth the effort .I did it over two days ,camping out overnight .It was hard going to do it in two days ,if i were to do it again I would do it in 4 days .The OATS walk I did 3 times ,the North to South twice and the Abbots way twice . Have not done the Lich way night walk though . Last year I did a 55 mile Ten Tors route with Ann Woodhouse and that was tough going in two days .Our route was Okehampton Camp to Shilstone.Sittaford ,Combestone,Pupers,and Trowlesworthy .Day2 was to HHT ,then Beardown,MST,Hare ,Steeperton and down to the camp .Considering Ann is 65 that is no mean feat !.I really enjoyed it and the sense of achievment was wonderful .