Dartmoor National Park Authority

Under an agreement with Devon County Council; Dartmoor National Park Authority has a commitment to maintain and enhance 762 public rights of way (mainly footpaths and bridleways) totalling some 730 kilometres of linear access within the National Park. This work involves erecting signs, building stiles, bridges and gates, clearing vegetation, waymarking, and maintaining and creating sustainable path surfaces. The Ranger Service regularly works with volunteer groups and local contractors to accomplish this.

All of the open common land of Dartmoor is privately owned. The Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 gave the public a legal right of access onto this land on foot and horseback only.

Other areas are accessible to the public due to access agreements with the Dartmoor National Park Authority. The total area of common land and other access land (not including land under the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000) amounts to nearly 50% of the entire National Park area.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 has meant more opportunities for access to some areas of open country on Dartmoor for walkers only. Since October 2004 the practical implementation of this Act has meant fresh challenges, and with the appointment of Assistant Rangers the Service has been strengthened to meet these new demands. The main task for the Ranger Service has been to negotiate with landowners the positioning of new access points into enclosed land.