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Home> Walks> England> Devon> Haytor's Granite Tramway

Haytor's Granite Tramway

Recommended by
Our view
"Step back in time to the days when horse-drawn wagons rumbled along the Granite Tramway."
Walk directions

From the car park take a narrow path towards Haytor (initially slightly to the left of the rocks), through low gorse. The path drops gently, soon passing through a small gully. Quarry spoil heaps soon come into view to the right of Haytor.

Meet a broader, grassy path (in which you can see granite setts, marking the line of the Haytor Granite Tramway) and turn right. The setts come and go, but look carefully and you will spot the odd one under grass to the right. A boggy area (left) marks the source of the River Lemon, which flows south to meet the River Teign in Newton Abbot. Look left to see Haytor Quarries.
View all directions
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Level moorland paths
  Landscape  - Open moorland
  Dog friendliness  - On lead in nesting season (1 March–15 July), and around quarries
  Parking  - Unmarked car park (free) on Haytor Down
  Toilets en route  - At bottom Haytor car park
Walks in Devon Dog-friendly walks in Devon
About the walk
Haytor Rocks (1,499ft/457m) has been Dartmoor’s most famous landmark since Victorian times, and the relatively easy walk up the slopes from the car park to the massive rocks attracts day trippers and holidaymakers all year round. However, there's a quieter, historically fascinating side to Haytor...
Read more
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Walking in Safety

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About the area
Devon sums up all that is best about the British landscape, with its magnificent coastlines, two historic cities, the world-famous Dartmoor National Park and south Devon’s glorious English Riviera. A fashionable and much-loved holiday destination, hiking and cycling in the National Parks is extremely popular among visitors, with a great choice of off-road routes.
Explore Devon
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Inn
Rock Inn
★★★★
awardaward
"Dartmoor country inn, professional team deliver strongly on hospitality...."
  • Rooms 9
  • Free TV
  • DVD Player
  • Direct Dial
Hotel
The Moorland Hotel
★★★★
award
"A friendly hotel in a beautiful setting...."
  • Family rooms: 5
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Hotel
Ilsington Country House Hotel
★★★★
awardawardaward
"Timeless gem on the southern slopes of Dartmoor...."
  • Family rooms: 4
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Nearby places to stay
Rock Inn
Dating back to the 1750s, this former coaching inn is in a pretty hamlet on the edge of Dartmoor. Named after Grand National winners, each of the individually decorated bedrooms has som...
★★★★    Rating
The Moorland Hotel
Set at the base of Haytor on Dartmoor, The Moorland Hotel boasts 11 acres of landscaped grounds, paddocks and woodland. Wild ponies are often found grazing nearby and the open expanse p...
★★★★    Rating
Ilsington Country House Hotel
This friendly, family-owned hotel, offers tranquillity and far-reaching views from its elevated position on the southern slopes of Dartmoor. The stylish suites and bedrooms, some on the...
★★★★    Rating
Oakmoor Touring Park
Oakmoor Touring Park is a very relaxed and peaceful family-run park, where every effort is made to ensure a rewarding stay. Surrounded by trees, there is plenty of seclusion with a love...
★★★★    Rating
Parkers Farm Holiday Park
Parkers Farm Holiday Park is run by Colin and Sam Parker, with the help of their daughters. Located near Ashburton and Newton Abbot, it’s also within easy reach of Exeter, Plymouth and ...
Bovey Castle
Bovey Castle is a relaxed and welcoming hotel, located in 275 acres of peaceful Devonshire countryside, which includes an award-winning, 18-hole championship golf course. The bedrooms a...
★★★★★    Rating
Finlake Holiday Park
Situated in over 130-acres of Devon woodland, moments from Newton Abbot, Finlake has onsite to keep all generations happy and entertained, including a state-of-the-art waterpark, fitnes...
★★★★★    Rating
River Dart Country Park
Set in 90 acres of magnificent parkland that was once part of a Victorian estate, with many specimen and exotic trees, River Dart Country Park is a peaceful, hidden-away touring park oc...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Rock Inn
Rock Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Ilsington Country House Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Smith's Brasserie
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Rock Inn
Rock Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Ilsington Country House Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Smith's Brasserie
   AA Rosette Award
Great Western
   AA Rosette Award
Dartmoor Lodge Restaurant
The Chagford Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The NoBody Inn
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
1hr 15min
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Easy

Gradient:
Gentle


Distance:
2.5 miles (4kms)

Ascent:
115ft (35m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Devon
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
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Haytor's Granite Tramway

Recommended by
Our view
"Step back in time to the days when horse-drawn wagons rumbled along the Granite Tramway."
Walk details
1hr 15min
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Easy
Gradient:
Gentle
Distance:
2.5 miles (4kms)
Ascent:
115ft (35m)
Walk directions

From the car park take a narrow path towards Haytor (initially slightly to the left of the rocks), through low gorse. The path drops gently, soon passing through a small gully. Quarry spoil heaps soon come into view to the right of Haytor.
1 of 6

Meet a broader, grassy path (in which you can see granite setts, marking the line of the Haytor Granite Tramway) and turn right. The setts come and go, but look carefully and you will spot the odd one under grass to the right. A boggy area (left) marks the source of the River Lemon, which flows south to meet the River Teign in Newton Abbot. Look left to see Haytor Quarries.
2 of 6

Reach an obvious set of points (junction of granite setts) and a fork in the path. Now bear left to follow a branch line, which curves towards the left end of the quarry. Various bumps in the ground here indicate the site of cottages and a pub built by Templer for his workers. The tramway reaches a gap between two spoil heaps (a turning area), with views ahead towards the coast.
3 of 6

Immediately through the spoil heaps, look right to spot a small gully. Immediately past that, turn right up a narrow path that climbs along the left bank of the gully, soon meeting a wire fence. After 50yds (46m) turn right through a small wooden gate and follow the path past two quarry ponds, a haven of tranquillity. After the second pond, cross a stile and pass through the outer embankment.
4 of 6

Immediately bear left on a broad grassy path, with fine views towards Hound Tor. The path hits the tramway again, with Holwell Quarries left; keep ahead through low-growing gorse and heather. After 75yds (69m) meet a broader path and bear right towards Smallacombe Rocks, and as the path begins to climb gently, take the left fork of two paths, aiming for the right end of the rocks.
5 of 6

When level with the rocks, look left to find a broad path that runs away towards the horizon (immediately passing a hut circle), midway between Hole Rock (seen away to the left) and Haytor Rocks (right). Turn right (east-southeast) across Haytor Down, eventually dropping to the car park with views to the coast ahead.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Level moorland paths
  Landscape - Open moorland
  Dog friendliness - On lead in nesting season (1 March–15 July), and around quarries
  Parking - Unmarked car park (free) on Haytor Down
  Toilets en route - At bottom Haytor car park
Walks in Devon Dog-friendly walks in Devon
About the walk
Haytor Rocks (1,499ft/457m) has been Dartmoor’s most famous landmark since Victorian times, and the relatively easy walk up the slopes from the car park to the massive rocks attracts day trippers and holidaymakers all year round. However, there's a quieter, historically fascinating side to Haytor...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Devon
Devon sums up all that is best about the British landscape, with its magnificent coastlines, two historic cities, the world-famous Dartmoor National Park and south Devon’s glorious English Riviera. A fashionable and much-loved holiday destination, hiking and cycling in the National Parks is extremely popular among visitors, with a great choice of off-road routes.
Explore Devon

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Inn
Rock Inn
★★★★
awardaward
"Dartmoor country inn, professional team deliver strongly on hospitality...."
  • Rooms 9
  • Free TV
  • DVD Player
  • Direct Dial
Hotel
The Moorland Hotel
★★★★
award
"A friendly hotel in a beautiful setting...."
  • Family rooms: 5
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Hotel
Ilsington Country House Hotel
★★★★
awardawardaward
"Timeless gem on the southern slopes of Dartmoor...."
  • Family rooms: 4
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Nearby places to stay
Rock Inn
Dating back to the 1750s, this former coaching inn is in a pretty hamlet on the edge of Dartmoor. Named after Grand National winners, each of the individually decorated bedrooms has som...
★★★★    Rating
The Moorland Hotel
Set at the base of Haytor on Dartmoor, The Moorland Hotel boasts 11 acres of landscaped grounds, paddocks and woodland. Wild ponies are often found grazing nearby and the open expanse p...
★★★★    Rating
Ilsington Country House Hotel
This friendly, family-owned hotel, offers tranquillity and far-reaching views from its elevated position on the southern slopes of Dartmoor. The stylish suites and bedrooms, some on the...
★★★★    Rating
Oakmoor Touring Park
Oakmoor Touring Park is a very relaxed and peaceful family-run park, where every effort is made to ensure a rewarding stay. Surrounded by trees, there is plenty of seclusion with a love...
★★★★    Rating
Parkers Farm Holiday Park
Parkers Farm Holiday Park is run by Colin and Sam Parker, with the help of their daughters. Located near Ashburton and Newton Abbot, it’s also within easy reach of Exeter, Plymouth and ...
Bovey Castle
Bovey Castle is a relaxed and welcoming hotel, located in 275 acres of peaceful Devonshire countryside, which includes an award-winning, 18-hole championship golf course. The bedrooms a...
★★★★★    Rating
Finlake Holiday Park
Situated in over 130-acres of Devon woodland, moments from Newton Abbot, Finlake has onsite to keep all generations happy and entertained, including a state-of-the-art waterpark, fitnes...
★★★★★    Rating
River Dart Country Park
Set in 90 acres of magnificent parkland that was once part of a Victorian estate, with many specimen and exotic trees, River Dart Country Park is a peaceful, hidden-away touring park oc...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Rock Inn
Rock Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Ilsington Country House Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Smith's Brasserie
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Rock Inn
Rock Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Ilsington Country House Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Smith's Brasserie
   AA Rosette Award
Great Western
   AA Rosette Award
Dartmoor Lodge Restaurant
The Chagford Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The NoBody Inn
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby