Easy Dartmoor walks with kids, What makes a route child-friendly?

A closer look at how we choose Dartmoor walks for families.

'Easy Dartmoor walks with kids'

There was a time when we’d Google “easy Dartmoor walks with kids” and end up on a blog recommending a 7-mile moorland loop with a river crossing and a scramble up a tor. Great for some. Not so great when you’ve got a toddler who refuses to wear both boots at the same time and a baby asleep in a carrier.

That’s when we realised something. What most people call ‘easy’ isn’t necessarily child-friendly.

Over the years, we’ve learned what actually makes a walk work for families. And one of the things we realised early on was how helpful it is to see the character of a route before setting off. That’s why we’ve designed a simple icon system-so at a glance, you’ll know whether a walk includes open moorland, woodland, wild swimming spots, rock scrambles, lunch stop areas, whether it’s buggy-friendly, or if there’s a steep section coming up. It’s our way of helping you choose the right kind of adventure for the day you’re having. And when we created Dartmoor Partner, that became our guiding principle: to curate walks that don’t just look good on paper, but genuinely work in real life with real kids.

Here’s what goes into every route we include.

1. Safe, accessible terrain

Child-friendly Dartmoor walks need to feel doable. We prioritise paths that are clear, navigable, and not too exposed. Not every walk is buggy-suitable, but we always tell you upfront if a carrier or off-road wheels are needed.

What we avoid:

• Steep, slippery descents (unless we clearly mark them as a 'challenging' route!)

• Cliff edges

• Endless gorse or bog

What we love:

• Steady gradients

• Wide grassy paths

• Trails that follow natural features (like rivers or old tramways)

2. Interesting along the way (not just at the end)

A 2km loop can feel like 10km to a child who’s bored. That’s why our walks always offer interest throughout, not just a view at the top.

Think:

• Streams to splash in

• Tunnels of trees

• Ruins to explore

• Livestock to spot (safely, of course)

Kids aren’t walking for the view. They’re walking for the moment they find a stick that looks like a sword and a rock that might be a dragon’s egg.

3. Natural pauses and play points

We build our routes around what could happen, not just what should. That means looking out for:

• Great snack spots

• Big boulders to climb

• Secret picnic spaces

• Patches of woodland to play hide and seek

These stop-start moments are what make family walks magic. They slow everything down and create space for imagination.

4. Reasonable distance and duration

Most of our routes are between 1.5km and 5km. Enough to feel like an outing, not so long it turns into a survival test.

Our routes are a bit different from most because they’ve all been tried, tested, and timed with real children. Not estimates, not guesses, but actual wobbly legs, snack stops, and wildflower distractions. We’ve designed our difficulty levels based on that, too.

You’ll see each walk marked as either:

• A Doddle – our easiest, most accessible walks

• A Trek – still family-friendly, just a bit longer or hillier

• Challenging – more adventurous routes, suitable for experienced or outdoorsy families

Now, this shouldn’t put anyone off. Dartmoor is too beautiful to miss out on. If you're ever unsure, stick to the ones marked 'A Doddle' and you’ll have a great time.

We also test the timings in real life because let’s face it, 3km with kids is rarely just 45 minutes.

And for those who find themselves still full of energy at the halfway point (or maybe out walking without children for once!), we include optional extended routes too. These are clearly marked on each route page, giving you the chance to stretch things out if you fancy a longer hike on the day.

If it’s a longer loop, we suggest shortcuts. If it’s steep in parts, we explain where. You won’t find any hidden surprises unless they’re the good kind.

5. Easy-to-follow paths and clear start points

Wandering aimlessly has its charm but not when everyone’s hangry and the car park seems to have vanished.

Every route on Dartmoor Partner includes:

• What3Words for the start point

• Parking advice

• Loop or out-and-back clarity

• Printable/downloadable directions

We’ve done the faffing so you don’t have to.

6. A parent’s perspective, not just a map

There are brilliant guidebooks and hiking apps out there but most are written by hikers. Dartmoor Partner is written by parents.

We’re thinking about:

• When little legs get tired

• How far it is to the next snack stop

• Whether there’s a tree that looks like it belongs in a fairytale

Our walks aren’t just routes, they’re shared experiences. The kind of paths that make memories, not just mileage.

That’s why ours are different

We’re not trying to list every walk on Dartmoor. We’re curating a thoughtful collection of family walks that work for new walkers, tired parents, and everyone in between.

So if you’ve ever tried to follow a 6-mile “family-friendly” trail and ended up bribing your toddler with raisins while checking for signal… you’re not alone. That’s exactly why Dartmoor Partner exists.

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Want to see the full collection?

Our Dartmoor Partner membership gives you access to 35 handpicked, child-friendly Dartmoor walks, chosen with care and tested with our own little ones.

35-ROUTES