Start your new year with a big dose of winter; walk or run across Dartmoor in February 2024. Our event is a fully supported 50 km journey from South to North, through some of the most remote parts of the moors. We also have a 30 km option from Princetown to Meldon.

The Winter Traverse is not your everyday run or walk on Dartmoor; it is definite step up from our Dartmoor in a Day challenge held in September and uses a separate line. The route passes Red Lake and the sources of the rivers Erme and Plym, (don’t expect to keep your feet dry!) After a welcome break in Princetown, you will continue to some wild locations on the North Moor including: Roos Tor, Tavy Cleave and Chat Tor. From here, the route picks up the Rattlebrook dismantled railway before descending to the finish in Meldon.

Weather is always a factor on Dartmoor but even more so in February; there is also the small number of daylight hours to consider and difficult terrain underfoot. You will be thoroughly looked after by the team at Climb South West, and remember it is a challenge event rather than a race so run or walk at a pace that suits you.

The route is mainly across wild areas of open moor without any way markings. You can view the route via the Outdoor Active link below, but we recommend using it alongside OL 28 Dartmoor (1:25,000) or BMC Dartmoor (1:40,000) maps. A GPX file will also be available for those that would like to use GPS. Full information on mandatory and suggested kit will be in your participant handbooks. We will add a copy here as soon as it’s available.

Maps can be downloaded below on the Outdoor Active app.

As this is a challenge event rather than a race, cut off times at our final checkpoint will be very generous. Transport to the end of the event will be available if anyone doesn’t manage to complete the distance.

The route is approximately 50 km (30 miles) and almost entirely off road. The 30 km walk option is achievable by anyone with a good level of walking fitness but the 50 km should not be underestimated! You will however be accompanied by our team of qualified Mountain Leaders with extensive experience and knowledge of Dartmoor. They will assist you with navigation and provide 1st aid cover for the whole event. You can choose to walk with them or on your own.

For those that fancy a greater challenge, then why not join us for a run across the same route? Again you will be accompanied by experienced runners who are also qualified Mountain Leaders. We recommend that you prepare well for this; having run a marathon or two, or some trail runs over 20 miles will set you up well.

Coach Transport

Coach transport for this event will be available to book through your SiEntries account. This will take you from the end to the start BEFORE the challenge and will enable you to run/walk back to your car.

Route on Outdoor Active

Winter Traverse 50km on Outdoor Active

Maps

Winter Traverse 2023 GPX (Zip file)

Handbook

Dartmoor Winter Traverse handbook 2023

Winter Traverse 2019 50 km finishers

Winter Traverse 2019 30 km finishers