Bellever Forest to Fernworthy Reservoir Circular
Distance: approximately 13 milesTime: 5 hours 25 minutesWeather: cool, windy and showeryParking: £6.50Practical information
Start and route
1.20pm from Bellever Forest, via East Dart waterfall, Sittaford Tor, Grey Wethers, Fernworthy and Chagford Common; back at 6.45pm.
Difficulty
Hard because of the distance, exposed moorland, late start and occasionally confusing network of paths.
Useful kit
Waterproof and windproof layers, grippy boots, food, water, headtorch, paper map and compass plus offline navigation.
Safety note
Start earlier when daylight is limited, protect electronics from rain and check your return bearing before leaving Fernworthy.
The route
I started from Bellever Forest car park at 1:20pm, although not before being stung by the new £6.50 parking charge. A ruddy rip-off for the privilege of hiking across our national park! I briefly wondered whether the price included afternoon tea, but sadly it appeared to cover only the parking space. For another walk taking in the Bellever area, my Stepping Stones via Hexworthy circular from Dunnabridge combines forest paths with riverside crossings.
Leaving the financial trauma behind, I followed the path through the forest before emerging onto open moorland. After approximately a mile and a half, I crossed the stile and picked up the trail towards the East Dart River waterfall.
The path led me neatly to this beautiful spot, despite the weather attempting to throw everything it had at me. It was an ideal place to stop for a cuppa and something to eat, with the sun even making a brief appearance during an otherwise blustery afternoon.
After a 20-minute break, I continued along the trail towards an exceptionally windy Sittaford Tor, before following the track to the Grey Wethers double stone circle.
The weather soon became angry again, delivering strong winds and horizontal drizzle. Strangely, it was quite pleasant—and somehow I never actually got properly wet. Either the drizzle missed me, or Dartmoor had temporarily lost its touch!
My next destination was Fernworthy Reservoir, although reaching it was not quite as straightforward as planned. After following what seemed like an endless network of paths and trails, I eventually found the reservoir—just not at the point I had intended.
I stopped for a break at the bottom of the overflow, which wasn’t overflowing. At precisely that moment, my tracker also decided to end the hike. Clearly, both the overflow and the technology had simply given up for the day.
After another 15-minute break, it was time to begin the journey back towards Postbridge. This section proved considerably longer than expected, taking me across Chagford Common and through vast stretches of open, wild and windswept moorland.
The beautiful yellow gorse added some welcome colour to the landscape as I continued onwards…and onwards…and then onwards for what felt like several additional weeks.
With the occasional shower, plenty of wind and no shortage of open moorland, I eventually emerged onto the road and followed it back through Postbridge to the car at Bellever Forest, arriving at 6:45pm.
A tough but thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, featuring woodland, waterfalls, tors, ancient stone circles, a reservoir, unpredictable weather and one tracker that clearly wasn’t prepared to complete the full route.
East Dart River waterfall clips
Two short films from the waterfall stop on the Postbridge-to-Fernworthy hike. Press play to hear and see the river flowing across the granite.
