Rights of Way and Linear Access
One of the things that makes Dartmoor so special is the open access to the commons where you can walk freely and not stick to footpaths. But as well as this there are hundreds of miles of paths and tracks which you can use. These include approximately 730 km (449 miles) of public rights of way (footpaths, bridleways and byways) as well as other paths and tracks where the owner permits access.
Public Footpaths
What can I do on a footpath? You may walk (and take a pram, pushchair or wheelchair where practical). You can take a dog, but you must keep it under close control.
How do I recognise a public footpath? On Ordnance Survey Explorer maps, public footpaths are shown by short green dashed lines. They may also be signposted and waymarked with yellow arrows or yellow paint spots.
Public Bridleways
What can I do on a bridleway? You have the same rights as on a footpath but also you can ride a horse or a bicycle (cyclists should give way to walkers and horseriders).
How do I recognise a bridleway? On Ordnance Survey Explorer maps, public bridleways are shown by long green dashed lines. They may be waymarked on the ground with blue arrows or blue paint spots.
Permitted Footpaths and Bridleways
What are they? As well as footpaths and bridleways which you have a legal right to use, Dartmoor has many miles of other routes which the landowner allows you to use.
How do I recognise a permitted route? On Ordnance Survey Explorer maps, permitted routes are sometimes shown by orange lines (short dashes for footpaths and long dashes for bridleways). Not all permitted routes are shown on the maps. You should also look out for signposts at the start of routes and waymarkers along the route (sometimes these are white arrows).
Byways
What can I do on a byway? On a byway you have the same rights as on a footpath or bridleway to walk, cycle and ride a horse but also you can drive a horse and carriage and drive a motor vehicle where practical (given that these are unsurfaced highways and may be susceptible to erosion and damage).
How do I recognise a byway? On Ordnance Survey Explorer maps, byways are marked by green crosses. They will be signposted as a byway at the start of the route. Byways are the only rights of way of way where it is legal to take a motor vehicle so you should always check that a route is a legal byway.
Other Routes with Public Access
In addition to public rights of way and permitted routes there are some other tracks where access is allowed. Some of these are shown on Explorer maps with green dots. These will always be routes where you can go on foot, but other access e.g. on horse or bicycle may vary.
Where Can I Find Out More Information About Rights of Way and Permitted Routes?
Ordnance Survey maps show rights of way and many permitted routes. For the best information, use the Explorer maps (1:25,000 scale, with an orange cover).
National Park Information Centres can provide detail on rights of way as well as books and leaflets of walking routes.
If you want to know where to cycle off road then try the Dartmoor For Off Road Cyclists map – this shows rights of way and permitted routes that are suitable for mountain bike use and shows extra detail such as the difficulty of each route.
Read the Public Rights of Way factsheet.
The Definitive Map of Rights of Way
Public footpaths, bridleways and byways are recorded on the ‘Definitive Map’. The Definitive Map shows the legal status of the path. Devon County Council is responsible for maintaining and updating the Definitive Map for the whole of the county, including within Dartmoor National Park. You can see an interactive version of the Definitive Map on the County council’s website at:
- http://gis.devon.gov.uk/basedata/viewer.asp?DCCService=footpath (external site, opens new window)
The Definitive Map gives each individual right of way a unique name based upon the parish name and number for example Dartmoor Forest bridleway no 8. You can see these unique names on the interactive map.
If you have a query relating to the Definitive Map, you should contact Devon County Council Rights of Way Department (external link opens new window)
