South Hessary Tor, Hexworthy & Two Bridges loop from Princetown — Dartmoor National Park

Bike touring routes & trails

South Hessary Tor, Hexworthy & Two Bridges loop from Princetown — Dartmoor National Park

Moderate

riders

South Hessary Tor, Hexworthy & Two Bridges loop from Princetown — Dartmoor National Park

01:51

25.0km

350m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 8, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Dartmoor National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

207 m

Princetown War Memorial and National Park Visitor Centre

Highlight • Monument

Princetown is a village located within Dartmoor National Park in Devon, England. It is the principal settlement of the civil parish of Dartmoor Forest. The village has its origins in 1785, when Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, then secretary to the Prince of Wales, leased a large area of moorland from the Duchy of Cornwall estate, hoping to convert it into good farmland. He also proposed that a prison be built on Dartmoor to house the thousands of captives of the Napoleonic Wars and the later War of 1812. The site was given by the Prince of Wales, who held the lands of the Duchy of Cornwall to which the whole moor belonged. This is why the settlement is named Princetown. Princetown is the site of Dartmoor Prison, which was built in 1806 and is still in use today. Princetown is also home to the National Park Visitor Centre, which offers exhibitions and displays about Dartmoor’s history, wildlife and culture.

Tip by

1.51 km

South Hessary Tor

Highlight • Viewpoint

The last peak before dropping down to Princetown if you're heading up from the south on Ivybridge Lane, South Hessary Tor has some fascinating history if you climb up a little closer. On the top of the granite rocks, you'll find a 'cobra', or weathered iron spike. This is one of four across the moor that used to mark boundaries.

Tip by

12.5 km

Hexworthy Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

Hexworthy Bridge, or Huccaby Bridge, is a stone triple-arch bridge that crosses the West Dart River east of Hexworthy. The bridge was constructed in the late 18th century and is Grade II listed. The bridge carries a single uncontrolled traffic lane and has a weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes

Tip by

15.5 km

Dunnabridge Pound

Highlight • Natural

Despite it sitting beside the B3357 Dartmeet road this is another of those ancient Bronze age structures. Its has certainly been used in more recent times as a cattle/sheep enclosure. Although back in the bronze age times up to 17 people lived here in a number of huts, one of which can just be made out in the centre of the walled ring. Just inside the entrance on the left is the Judges Chair, believe to have been brought here by the local Dunnabridge farmer. He maintained that a bench from Crockern Tor formed the seat and that the Crockern judges table formed the roof of the Judge’s Chair. What is for certain is that it was used as a shelter by those tending their animals within the Pound.

Tip by

19.5 km

Two Bridges Stone Bridge

Highlight • Viewpoint

Two Bridges is an isolated location in the heart of Dartmoor National Park in Devon, England. It is situated around 2.5 km (1.6 mi) north east of Princetown on the old turnpike road which was built across Dartmoor in the late 18th century.

Tip by

25.0 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

14.3 km

6.75 km

3.04 km

946 m

Surfaces

14.5 km