Watch out for ghosts and ghouls
Dartmoor is full of stories and legends. The most famous is probably The Hound of the Baskervilles, but there are countless others, many of which you'll pass on the Dartmoor 200.
Whether you believe in ghosts, piskies, witches or ancient curses is entirely up to you. We simply recommend doing a little research before you ride, so you can think twice about where you choose to wild camp.....
- St. Michael's Ley Line is said to pass through St. Petroc's Church in Lydford.
- You'll ride part of the ancient Lych Way (Way of the Dead) as you head out onto the open moor.
- Poor Stephen's Grave is easy to find, so don't miss it and end up as lost as poor Stephen.
- Will you hear the Hound of the Baskervilles baying across Fox Tor Mire? Whatever you do, don't follow them into the bog.
- Beware of the Hairy Hands as you pass through the Bellever area near Postbridge. Will you stop for the night, or keep on riding?
- Or will you stop at the Warren House Inn to avoid the Hairy Hands? Legend has it the fire has been burning continuously since 1845. Perhaps that's why the ghosts keep coming back.
- Then try to imagine life nearly 3,000 years ago at Grimspound, one of Britain's best-preserved Bronze Age settlements.
- You cannot miss Kitty Jay's Grave (pictured above), which is always adorned with fresh flowers, although nobody seems to know who leaves them.
- Will Cosdon Beacon be ablaze, signalling to other distant beacons across Devon? What warning could it be carrying?
- Will you dance with the Nine Maidens? Many have, although few will admit it. See how many you can count!
- And finally, will you take the short diversion over to High Willhays (621m), then Yes Tor (619m) to stand on the roof of Dartmoor, and look back across the moor before you criss-cross the legendary St Michael’s Ley Line as you make your way back to Lydford?
These are just a handful of the stories that make Dartmoor such a fascinating place. Don't take them too seriously, although in all my years riding on Dartmoor, I have never seen Kitty Jay's Grave without flowers. Ever.
For your safety, every legendary location has been included as a waypoint in the GPX. We'd strongly advise visiting each one, purely to confirm the stories aren't true. Miss them at your peril.