Venford Reservoir and Bench Tor Walk

Venford Reservoir and Bench Tor Walk is a 1.74-mile loop from the west car park by the dam. It crosses the dam, climbs over open moor to Bench Tor, then returns through woodland beside Venford Brook. The route packs reservoir water, rough grass, granite outcrops and the wooded Dart Gorge into a short circuit. Bench Tor is the payoff: the rocks look down into the gorge and back across Holne Moor. If you want a quick waterside wander, the separate reservoir-edge path is easier; take this loop when you want the climb and the view.

Allow about 90 minutes to two hours, especially if you linger on the tor. The full route is about 2.8 km and gains roughly 110 metres (360 feet). From the dam it heads northeast across open ground toward the waterworks boundary, reaching the first rocks after about a kilometre. Two short steep sections keep this from being a flat reservoir stroll. The moor surface is uneven and switches between grass, dirt and track. Bench Tor is a line of granite slabs rather than a built platform. Follow the outcrops north to their far end, then take the steep drop into woodland.

The return path runs above Venford Brook for about a kilometre before the loop crosses the stream and climbs west beside the waterworks boundary. Take care at the brook crossing; the directions describe it as a careful crossing. Venford Falls is an optional downstream detour outside the mapped 1.74 miles. You can also add a separate 1.5 km loop around the reservoir edge, but that makes a longer walk rather than part of this circuit.

Start at the Venford Reservoir west car park just before the dam; toilets are beside it. Dartmoor asks visitors to keep dogs on a short lead from 1 March through 31 July, near livestock, and wherever posted. At other times, keep dogs under close control.