The Heart of Dartmoor
Dartmeet sits almost at the geographical centre of the national park — which is part of why it feels so emphatically right. The two Dart rivers arrive from different directions: the East Dart from the high northern plateau near Cranmere Pool, the West Dart from the southern moor above Two Bridges. At Dartmeet they collide in a shallow gorge over a series of granite boulders, and the combined Dart continues south through Holne and the wooded valley toward Dartmouth and the sea.
The walk uses both rivers as its structure — following the East Dart upstream, crossing the open moorland above its headwaters, and returning down the western bank, with the historic clapper bridge at the start and finish as a landmark. It's a genuine moorland walk, not a nature trail — the paths are clear but the terrain is varied, the river crossings require care after rain, and navigation on the upper moor section benefits from a map.
📍 Getting to Dartmeet
Dartmeet is reached via the B3357 from Tavistock (west) or via Two Bridges from the B3212 Moretonhampstead–Yelverton road. Postcode PL20 6SG takes you to the car park. Pay and display (Dartmoor NPA). There is a seasonal café/kiosk in the car park. No fuel available — fill up before you come onto the moor.
The Route
🗺️ Dartmeet Circular via East Dart & Babeny (5 miles · 3 hours)
Walk down from the car park to the famous Dartmeet clapper bridge — a wide medieval granite slab bridge across the West Dart, one of the broadest on the moor. This is the photo stop: the combination of the bridge, the river boulders and the valley sides makes it one of Dartmoor's most photogenic spots. In summer, this area is busy; early mornings are magical.
Cross the clapper bridge and follow the East Dart upstream (north-east). The path stays close to the river, passing through ancient oak woodland, areas of granite clitter and open moorland fringe. The river is accompanied by a series of pools — some excellent for wild swimming at the right water level. After about 1.5 miles you reach the farmstead at Babeny, one of the oldest continuously-occupied farms on Dartmoor.
At Babeny, cross the river via the stepping stones (impassable in high water — have a backup plan) and head west-north-west across open moorland. This is the most navigationally demanding section — no single clear path, just open moorland. Keep the West Dart valley in sight to your left and head toward the ridgeline above Dartmeet. Use OS OL28, grid reference SX 672 730 as your target for re-joining the path down.
Descend to the West Dart and follow the river path south-east back to Dartmeet. The West Dart path is quieter than the East Dart side and offers different character — more enclosed woodland sections and better river-level views. Return to the clapper bridge and car park.
⚠️ River Crossing Note
The stepping stones at Babeny are the only crossing point on this route — they become impassable when the East Dart is in spate after heavy rain. If the stones are underwater, do not attempt to cross: the current is deceptive and the riverbed uneven. Either retrace your outward route or add a significant road detour via Ponsworthy. Check river levels if recent rain has been heavy.
Wild Swimming at Dartmeet
Dartmeet is one of Dartmoor's most popular wild swimming destinations — the combination of accessible parking, clear paths and a series of excellent pools makes it ideal. The swimming is in the rivers themselves, which run cold and clear year-round, fed by the high moorland catchment above.
🏊 Best Swimming Spots on This Walk
- Below the clapper bridge: The pools immediately downstream of the bridge are shallow and sheltered — best for children and paddling, good on hot days
- East Dart pools (0.7–1.2 miles upstream): A series of deeper pools in the river bends with good entry points — the best wild swimming on the route, typically chest-deep with sandy/gravel beds
- The confluence pool: At low-to-medium water, a pool forms at the actual confluence of the East and West Dart — accessed from the clapper bridge area
- Water temperature: Typically 12–15°C in summer, colder in spring and autumn. A wetsuit extends comfortable swimming to May and October
- Safety: Never swim after heavy rain when water levels are high — moorland rivers rise and fall very quickly and the current becomes dangerous
The Dartmeet Clapper Bridge
The clapper bridge at Dartmeet is one of the widest and most impressive on the whole of Dartmoor — a series of large granite slabs laid across the river on stone piers, the construction method unchanged since the medieval period. The bridge is thought to date from around the 13th or 14th century and was used as a packhorse crossing — the main transport route across this part of the moor before motor roads.
Unlike some Dartmoor clapper bridges which are narrow single-slab affairs, the Dartmeet bridge is wide enough to cross comfortably two abreast, and the condition of the slabs is excellent. Flood damage over the centuries has occasionally displaced sections, but the bridge has always been repaired. It is a listed ancient monument and one of the most photographed structures on the moor.
Family Notes
Dartmeet is excellent for families, though the full 5-mile circular is ambitious for young children. The most popular family approach is a there-and-back along the East Dart upstream — beautiful river scenery, easy going underfoot, and the pools for paddling and swimming, with the clapper bridge at the start for maximum impact. This makes an easy 3-mile, 1.5-hour walk that works for children from about 5 upwards.
- The car park has a seasonal café/kiosk for ice cream and hot drinks
- The river pools are shallow enough for supervised paddling near the banks
- The clapper bridge itself is a firm favourite with children — solid, safe and satisfying to cross
- Dogs are very happy here — the river provides unlimited swimming for water-loving dogs
Nearby Walks & Extending the Day
Postbridge Clapper Bridge
The most famous clapper bridge on Dartmoor — combine with Dartmeet for a river-themed Dartmoor day, visiting both famous crossings.
Holne & Venford Reservoir
The Dart valley below Dartmeet is equally beautiful — Holne village, the ancient church, and Venford Reservoir make a gentler afternoon extension.
Grimspound
The Bronze Age village at Grimspound is within a longer day's walk from Dartmeet — combine for an archaeology and landscape day on the central moor.