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Foggintor Quarry and Kings Tor
Terrain: Moorland
Difficulty: A Trek - 2/3
Route Description:
A dramatic and ever-changing Dartmoor gem. Follow an old tramway to the ruins of a forgotten quarry village, where towering stone walls shelter a crystal-clear lake. This walk offers a mix of history, adventure, and stunning moorland scenery, making it perfect for curious explorers and families alike. The base route winds through the abandoned quarry before looping back, while the extended route to Kings Tor offers panoramic views across Dartmoor.
Foggintor’s atmosphere shifts with the weather—mist turns it eerie, sunshine makes it glow, and in winter, the frozen water shimmers under the low sun. It’s a brilliant place for kids to scramble, dogs to explore, and anyone to stop, breathe, and take it all in.
Quick Key:
Location: Foggintor Quarry & Kings Tor
Start Point: South of the southern car park (What3Words: shrub.waltzed.jogged)
Base Route: 3.5km (~1 hour) | Extended Route: 6.5km (~2 hours)
Terrain: Well-used gravel paths, disused railway, rocky quarry entrance
Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate. The main route is designed for everyone, offering an accessible and enjoyable walk, while the extended route is ideal for those looking to venture further and explore more rugged terrain and open moorland.
Dog-Friendly? Generally good, well-secluded, but always check for livestock around the Yellowmead Farm. Foggintor Quarry is usually fine, but check for sheep & horses on the surrounding moorland.
Parking: Two small car parks north of Yellowmead Farm Track (see WhatThreeWords above). Roughly 10 cars per area. Many cars park along the road, but always park responsibly and enable access.
Lunch Spots: Foggintor Quarry (secluded, wind-sheltered) or Kings Tor (great views).
Buggy/Carrier Friendly? Suitable for all-terrain pushchairs and wheelchairs, although the path is uneven in places.
Route Variations: Extended option to Kings Tor via Swell Tor.
Step-by-Step Routes:
Base Route:
Base Route (Foggintor Quarry - 3.5km)
Start at the southern car park (What3Words: shrub.waltzed.jogged). Follow the wide gravel track downward south toward the tramway.
Walk past Yellowmead Farm which you'll see on your right and continue on the disused railway track.
You'll spot the ruins of Red Village on your right-hand side - the remains of old quarry buildings, originally topped with red corrugated iron roofs. its a great climbing area for the kids!
Once there, you'll see the double-windowed ruin which is positioned directly opposite the Foggintor Quarry.
Carefully enter through the narrow rocky entrance and explore the quarry basin, a stunning spot for lunch or a break.
Travel through the quarry along a single clear well-trodden path all the way through to the other side and follow the track leading back to the tramway. You'll recognise it, you haven't gone far!
From here, follow the track back past Red Village and return to the car park - before you do this though, go and have an explore down below where all the old ruins lie.
Extended Route:
Extended Route (Foggintor to Kings Tor – 6.5km)
For those wanting a longer walk with stunning views out toward Plymouth and Tavistock, continue on:
Exit Foggintor Quarry and rejoin the main track heading southwest toward both Swell Tor (closest to you) and Kings Tor (right of Swell Tor).
Follow the low-gradient track up to Swell Tor - it might not look like much at first, but from the top, you’ll see hidden quarries and spectacular views on the other side.
Continue along the ridge toward Kings Tor, where the entire landscape opens up.
Explore the rock formations at Kings Tor before looping back. This place is excellent for kids climbing, just be cautious!
Descend back down the front side of Kings Tor to rejoin the tramway you came in on.
Follow the tramway back to the ruins and return to the car park.
Tip's & Insights:
Signal Coverage:
Generally good, but can be patchy within the quarry itself, so don’t rely on maps loading mid-walk. Best to check before you set off.
Unique Feature:
The double-windowed quarry ruins are one of Dartmoor’s most striking landmarks. Once home to the workers who carved out granite here, these old stone walls have been standing against the elements for over a century. You can almost picture the bustling industry that once filled this remote spot.
Historic Feature:
The tramway running through here isn’t just a convenient path - it was once a lifeline that carried Dartmoor’s famous granite all the way to Plymouth. From there, it helped build some of Britain’s most iconic landmarks, including London Bridge and Nelson’s Column. If you ever wonder how such huge slabs of stone were moved across Dartmoor, picture horse-drawn wagons trundling along these tracks, shifting thousands of tonnes of rock.
Quarry Origins:
Foggintor was one of Dartmoor’s busiest quarries, churning out high-quality granite from the early 1800s until it closed in 1906. The huge blocks quarried here didn’t just stay local - some ended up as part of Buckingham Palace. It’s hard to imagine now, with the quarry abandoned and filled with water, but this was once a place of hard graft, constant noise, and heavy machinery.
Nearby Pub:
The Plume of Feathers in Princetown is the perfect post-walk stop for food and a pint. Princetown itself is full of history - its famous Dartmoor Prison was built using stone from this very quarry. The prison’s imposing walls are a stark contrast to the wild beauty of the moor, but they’re a reminder of how much Dartmoor’s resources have shaped the surrounding communities.
Nearby Amenities:
Just a couple of minutes’ drive from where we've parked for the walk and we're in the centre of Princetown. No official toilets on-site, but Princetown has public loos, a small Co-op, and a handful of cosy cafés like the Old Police Station Café (card payments accepted).
You’ll also find the Dewerstone coffee and clothing store, perfect for a post-walk browse or a flat white – but bring your own mug! We've been caught out before. For something heartier, the Prince of Wales pub (just behind Dartmoor Brewery) offers food and local ales. The Plume of Feathers is another good pitstop for lunch or a drink after your walk.
There is no café at the quarry itself, so bring a flask and snacks if you’re planning to stay out for a while.
Terrain:
Way Types:
Tramway Path: 3.5 km
Moorland Tracks: 2 km
Rocky Sections: 1 kmSurfaces:
Gravel: 3 km
Rocky: 1.5 km
Natural Path: 2 km
Respect Dartmoor:
Always stick to paths: Protect the moorland and avoid disturbing wildlife.
Watch your step: Rocks can be slippery and terrain is often uneven!
Keep dogs under close control: Livestock is often present on the moor, keep your dogs controlled at all times.
Take your rubbish!: Please, please take your rubbish home. You'll kill the wildlife if you don't. It's that simple.
Fancy this walk? Tag us on Instagram:
If you give this route a go, tag @dartmoorpartner and share your favourite moment. Whether it’s blue skies or classic Dartmoor drizzle, we’d love to see it.