Wigford Down

The walk up Wigford Down rewards you with proper Devon moorland views that stretch right across to Plymouth and beyond. It's not a particularly long haul from the car, which means you're not battling steep gradients for hours on end - more of a steady tramp through open country with the wind in your face.

Once you're up there, the landscape opens right out. You get a real sense of the Dartmoor plateau, gorse and heather underfoot, and on a clear day the visibility is genuinely impressive. Walkers will enjoy this one far more than casual strollers after a quick leg-stretch. The terrain is rough enough that you'll want proper boots, and it can get boggy depending on rainfall.

Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're taking your time, longer if you're the type to sit and absorb the views with a flask. There's no facilities up top, so bring what you need. Free to access, as with most Dartmoor open land.

It sits perfectly with a stay at Dartmoor Domes just three miles away - you could combine this with other moorland walks in the area without much bother. Langstone Manor is a bit further out but still workable as a base. Winter walks here can be bleak and atmospheric; summer's better for flagging energy on the climb, though you'll want to start early to beat afternoon crowds in July and August.