Is Dartmoor safe to walk with kids? What you need to know

Is Dartmoor safe to walk with kids? What you need to know

Let’s talk about family safety on the moor.

We get asked this a lot:

“Is Dartmoor safe to walk with kids?” “Can you really take little ones out on the moor without getting lost, stuck, or soaked?”

The short answer is yes. Dartmoor is absolutely a place families can explore and love. But it’s not your average country park. It’s a wild, beautiful, unpredictable environment. And walking it safely with kids means understanding what makes it different.

Here’s everything you need to know before heading out, especially if it’s your first time exploring Dartmoor as a family.

1. Yes, Dartmoor is wild, and that’s part of the beauty

Dartmoor is one of the last great wildernesses in the south of England. It has wide open views, remote paths, exposed weather, rivers, tors, livestock, bogs, and very few signposts. It’s a place that invites curiosity but it’s also a place where preparation matters.

This isn’t said to put you off. Dartmoor is incredibly rewarding for families. It gives children the chance to build confidence, move freely, and explore somewhere that doesn’t feel manufactured or fenced in.

But it’s important to treat Dartmoor with respect. Don’t rely on phone signal. Don’t assume a short route means an easy walk. And don’t follow any old GPS trail you found online.

We’ve built Dartmoor Partner to take away that risk. Every route in our collection has been tested by real families, with the kind of detail you actually need. So you can walk with confidence, even if it’s your first time out.

2. Choose your route carefully

This is probably the most important factor. A family walk on Dartmoor needs more than just a short distance or a pretty view. You need to think about terrain, exposure, landmarks, livestock, and your child’s confidence levels.

If you’re walking with toddlers or primary-age children, start with woodland trails, riverside paths, or sheltered loops with minimal ascent. These feel gentle, familiar, and engaging. All of our routes are under 5km and designed to be as parent-friendly as they are child-friendly.

We also include icons that show whether a route is suitable for buggies, balance bikes, or baby carriers, and we let you know about steep climbs, tricky descents, or open moorland sections before you go.

It’s not about ticking off the biggest tor. It’s about creating a positive experience so your children want to come back again.

3. Pack smart, but don’t overload

One of the best ways to enjoy Dartmoor is to be prepared without being weighed down. You don’t need hiking poles and hydration bladders, you just need to cover the basics.

Here’s a sensible packing list for family walking on Dartmoor :

• Waterproofs for everyone, even in summer (even if you keep it in the car!)

• A few warm layers. Dartmoor can drop 5–10 degrees in minutes in the evening

• Spare socks (always)

• Snacks and drinks

• A printed copy of your route or a downloaded version

• A basic first aid kit

• A change of clothes waiting in the car

• Carrier bags for muddy boots

• A torch (yes, even on a day walk)

Comfort means confidence for you and your children. If you’re warm, fed, and dry, everything feels easier. That’s why many of our families tell us they start keeping a Dartmoor boot bag permanently packed.

4. Livestock and dogs

Dartmoor is full of sheep, cattle, ponies, and sometimes goats. These animals are used to people, but they still need space and respect. Always keep dogs on a short lead near livestock and avoid letting children run toward or attempt to stroke any animals, even the ponies.

Instead, turn it into a teachable moment. Talk to your children about the different animals they might see and how they live. Ponies graze rough ground and aren’t fed by people. Sheep and cattle help manage the landscape. It helps children feel part of the land, not just visitors to it.

Every Dartmoor Partner route includes notes on whether livestock is likely and where. We also include reminders about seasonal rules, such as dog-on-lead restrictions during lambing or ground-nesting bird season.

5. Mud, rocks, and river crossings! Expect it all

Even the simplest Dartmoor route will likely include uneven ground. Dartmoor paths often twist through woodland roots, climb rocky outcrops, cross small streams or step through muddy patches. This is all part of the fun but you need to know it’s coming.

For younger kids, walking in proper footwear makes a big difference. We recommend lightweight walking boots or solid-grip trainers. Wellies are fun but often too slippy or loose for longer routes. For parents carrying little ones, walking shoes with ankle support can help with balance.

All our routes include notes on terrain, from gravel tracks and grassy fields to boggy sections or granite steps. And we’ll tell you exactly where the awkward bits are, so you’re never caught out.

6. Mobile signal and navigation safety

It’s one of the things people are most surprised by. Dartmoor has plenty of spots where there’s no mobile reception at all, not for maps, messages, or calls.

That’s why we always advise downloading your route in advance or printing it (yes you can download it!). All Dartmoor Partner routes include clear, written directions and What3Words coordinates for start points and parking. Many also include reference photos and parent notes to help with trickier sections.

You don’t need to be an expert navigator to walk with us. But you do need to know how to read a route, check the forecast, and stick to what you’ve planned.

7. Watch the weather, it matters more than you think

The Dartmoor forecast can look fine in the morning and be heavy fog by lunch. It’s one of the defining features of the moor, fast-moving cloud, wind shifts, and microclimates.

We recommend checking the Met Office Dartmoor forecast before any walk and planning around it. Even short routes can feel very different in exposed conditions. If in doubt, choose a woodland route with plenty of shelter.

Our routes are built to offer options. You’ll find suggestions for dry days, misty days, windy days, and summer heat. And all of them come with real family feedback on how the weather shaped their experience.

8. What about toddlers or babies?

Yes. Dartmoor with babies and toddlers is absolutely possible. It just depends on your route and your kit.

Some of our families walk with off-road buggies, others with slings or structured carriers. All Dartmoor Partner routes include buggy suitability icons, plus notes about whether a sling or backpack carrier is better suited. Some routes are ideal for little legs learning to walk with short stretches, lots to see, and easy terrain.

We’ve also written a full guide to the best baby carriers for Dartmoor, including carrier types, safety tips, and brand recommendations.

It’s not always about distance. Sometimes the best adventure is just a short loop with a picnic and a pony sighting.

9. Don’t worry this is all here to help, not scare you

We know this might sound like a lot. But that’s the beauty of Dartmoor. With a little planning and the right guidance, it becomes one of the most rewarding places you’ll ever walk as a family.

This isn’t about making it sound dangerous. It’s about giving you the tools to feel confident, so you can focus on the joy of being outside together.

You don’t need to be a mountaineer or an OS map wizard. You just need to know where to start.

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Explore our full collection of 35 family-friendly Dartmoor walks here.

They’re written by parents, for parents. And they’re ready when you are.

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