Good/free parking day/overnight for trails

RobH

RobH

Ultralighter
I may not have found it but is there a thread for good (by which I mean safe and free or reasonable cost) parking spots giving access to the main hiking areas? Living in Newark where it's flat.... I have to travel to get some days in the hills. Would be great if there is a list of known parking spots.
 
Robin

Robin

Moderator
Staff member
When I’ve driven to Dartmoor, I’ve parked at Belstone. The car park is free (or it was last time I parked there). It’s a decent size and just outside the village. There’s enough traffic passing by to make me think it’s less likely to be a crime spot. It’s really quick to get on to the moor at Taw Marsh, which is a good place to camp for the start of a walk.

I’d be interested in other parking places on Dartmoor
 
Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
Robin said:
When I’ve driven to Dartmoor, I’ve parked at Belstone. The car park is free (or it was last time I parked there). It’s a decent size and just outside the village. There’s enough traffic passing by to make me think it’s less likely to be a crime spot. It’s really quick to get on to the moor at Taw Marsh, which is a good place to camp for the start of a walk.

I’d be interested in other parking places on Dartmoor
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The main car park at Princetown is OK. They allow 48 hours parking for £4 and the car park seems open and as secure one can be.

I’ve have parked at the car park ‘behind’ the Dartmoor Inn near Lydford. This is up a 200m gravel track but I have not had any problems or seen any reports of any. SX5285 - it’s marked as a parking area on the 1:25k maps. Give great access straight onto the open moor.

I have also parked on street in Ivybridge near the railway station in a small housing area.
 
R

Rmr

Section Hiker
RobH said:
I may not have found it but is there a thread for good (by which I mean safe and free or reasonable cost) parking spots giving access to the main hiking areas? Living in Newark where it's flat.... I have to travel to get some days in the hills. Would be great if there is a list of known parking spots.
Click to expand...
If you have a early start in Hathersage you can usually get a free spot on the road opposite the car park next to the swimming pool. If in Hope, there is room for around 5 cars opposite Edale Rd near the church. In Edale there's a few spots in front of the Nags Head. I've used all of these for many years and always been lucky. Now I have a bus pass and railcard, so now use public transport.
 
SafetyThird

SafetyThird

Section Hiker
Robin said:
When I’ve driven to Dartmoor, I’ve parked at Belstone. The car park is free (or it was last time I parked there). It’s a decent size and just outside the village. There’s enough traffic passing by to make me think it’s less likely to be a crime spot. It’s really quick to get on to the moor at Taw Marsh, which is a good place to camp for the start of a walk.

I’d be interested in other parking places on Dartmoor
Click to expand...

I've parked overnight behind the plume of feathers in Princetown.
Also, although you can't park overnight at the Highwayman, near sourton, just over the road is a church/hall and there's a small car park there. I parked up and, as there was someone in the hall, asked if they minded me leaving the car there overnight and they said no problem. Nice walk in up the west oakment valley
 
Odd Man

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
Any experiences on how safe would it be to leave a car for couple of nights around the Burrator reservoir in Dartmoor?

Screenshot 2022-01-09 at 15.19.59.jpg
 
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Mole

Mole

Thru Hiker
Odd Man said:
Any experiences on how safe would it be to leave a car for couple of night around the Burrator reservoir in Dartmoor?

View attachment 36822
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It has been known for break ins in the past. If not a weekend, with my car I'd risk it. But mine is a dirty old banger.
I'd also more likely risk one night rather than 2.

If at all worried, I'd suggest street parking in Dousland (or Princetown).
 
Odd Man

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
Mole said:
It has been known for break ins in the past. If not a weekend, with my car I'd risk it. But mine is a dirty old banger.
I'd also more likely risk one night rather than 2.

If at all worried, I'd suggest street parking in Dousland (or Princetown).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight.

It would be at least partly a weekend as missus works part-time. Car is a plain '14 Golf with nothing fancy in/on it.

I was looking at a nice loop and leaving the car there would allow an easy bail out option if needed. Parking further out would require means to get to/from the trailhead.

Hmm... tough call.
 
Mole

Mole

Thru Hiker
Odd Man said:
Thanks for the insight.

It would be at least partly a weekend as missus works part-time. Car is a plain '14 Golf with nothing fancy in/on it.

I was looking at a nice loop and leaving the car there would allow an easy bail out option if needed. Parking further out would require means to get to/from the trailhead.

Hmm... tough call.
Click to expand...
Well if you want to run your proposed route by me, I may be able to suggest alternatives. A little detour is not the end of the world.
 
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