Dartmoor · Easy · Circular

Round Burrator Reservoir

An easy round of Burrator Reservoir below Sheeps Tor, past the ruins of Longstone and over both dams.

Distance
6.2 km (3.9 mi)
Ascent
47 m
Time
About 1 h 45 min
High point
243 m
Grade
Easy

Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.

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Round Burrator Reservoir
Sandy Gerrard · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The walk

From the free car park at Norsworthy Bridge, at the head of Burrator Reservoir, the walk follows woodland paths along the south shore below Sheeps Tor. It passes the ruins of Longstone manor on its small peninsula and crosses the Sheepstor dam and the main Burrator dam, built in 1898 to supply Plymouth. The way back runs along the west and north shores, partly on the reservoir road, with views across the water to Leather Tor and Sharpitor.

It is 6.2 km with 47 m of ascent; allow about 1½ hours. The grade is Easy. It is nearly level all the way.

About a quarter is on the quiet reservoir road. The paths are muddy after rain. South West Lakes Trust asks for dogs on leads and out of the water at all times, as toxic algae can grow in the reservoir. The car parks are busy at weekends and holidays, and there is little mobile signal.

The car parks around the reservoir are free, with donation boxes; there are toilets at the main dam. There is no station near; the nearest is Bere Alston, about 13 km away.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.

Good to know

  • Round Burrator Reservoir, built in 1898 to supply Plymouth, below Sheeps Tor and Leather Tor
  • Past the ruins of Longstone manor on its little peninsula and over both dams
  • Woodland paths most of the way, with short stretches of the reservoir road
  • Dogs on leads and out of the water (South West Lakes Trust)

Getting there

Start: Norsworthy Bridge car park, Burrator · Free parking. 50.50608, -4.01981

Directions to the start

Places to stay nearby

Rooms in and around Norsworthy Bridge car park: Booking.com → Expedia →

Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.

Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.