Scorhill & Kestor Rocks loop from Gidleigh — Dartmoor National Park
Scorhill & Kestor Rocks loop from Gidleigh — Dartmoor National Park
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Scorhill & Kestor Rocks loop from Gidleigh — Dartmoor National Park
02:10
7.32km
220m
Hiking
Embark on the Scorhill & Kestor Rocks loop from Gidleigh, a moderate hike spanning 4.6 miles (7.3 km) with an elevation gain of 711 feet (217 metres), typically completed in about 2 hours and 9 minutes. This route offers a diverse landscape, from wooded valleys with seasonal bluebells to serene pine forests and open moorland. You will enjoy magnificent views across Gidleigh Common towards Dartmoor's northern tors, with Kestor Rock providing sweeping panoramas of the moors and the town of Chagford.
Prepare for varied terrain, including dedicated hiking paths, roads, and both natural, paved, and unpaved surfaces. Some sections require sure-footedness, especially where steep paths weave through trees or after river crossings, and parts of the terrain can be boggy, particularly northwest of Thornworthy Tor. If you bring your dog, be aware of free-roaming sheep, horses, and cattle on the open moors.
This trail is rich in history and unique natural features, showcasing some of Dartmoor's most impressive ancient monuments. You will encounter the striking Scorhill Stone Circle, one of the finest on Dartmoor, and the distinctive Tolmen Stone in the North Teign River, steeped in local lore. The route also passes through Shovel Down, a Premier Archaeological Landscape with prehistoric ritual monuments, and crosses beautiful clapper bridges over the Walla Brook and North Teign River.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
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Waypoints
Start point
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2 m
Gidleigh Church
Highlight • Other
Tip by
3.00 km
Kes Tor and Rock Basin
Highlight • Viewpoint
More info here:
visitdartmoor.co.uk/things-to-do/moors-tors/kes-tor
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4.60 km
Walla Brook Clapper Bridge
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Translated by Google •
Tip by
4.93 km
Scorhill Stone Circle
Highlight • Viewpoint
It has good views across Gidleigh Common to the higher northern tors of Dartmoor. It is said that the sun sets on Midsummer Eve over the point of one of the standing stones showing some purpose in ancient astrology.
Tip by
7.32 km
End point
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
4.75 km
2.30 km
281 m
Surfaces
2.52 km
2.30 km
2.24 km
281 m
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Elevation
Highest point (420 m)
Lowest point (260 m)
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Weather
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Tuesday 26 May
26°C
14°C
23 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
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Trail Reviews
The route starts with a very pleasant walk through Gidleigh Woods, before climbing up to the magnificant, far-reaching views afforded by Kestor Rocks. From here the route drops down to the delightful clapper bridge at Walla Brook and then, just a couple of hundred metres further on, Scorhill Stone Circle, a fabulous spot worth lingering at to take in the ancient atmosphere of the place. From here on the route starts to drop back down to Gidleigh. Keep an eye open in autumn for the many rowan trees covered in vibrant red berries. A pretty straightforward, rewarding walk.
A magnificent walk from Gidleigh across the moors. To Kes Tor, one of Dartmoor's many tors, a rocky outcrop often perched atop a hill. Then over two Clapper Bridges, ancient stone bridges believed to date back to prehistoric times. Then on to the Scorhill Stonecircle, dating back to the Bronze Age. The moor is a wonderful place to wander, with rolling hills as far as the eye can see, with the tors perched on top of the hills in various places. The vastness is impressive.