Bellever, near Postbridge, Dartmoor, Devon
Bellever Forest
Forest recreation landscape
Place photograph
8.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Paid
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.2A Dartmoor forest of conifer rides and open-moor views, threaded with prehistoric remains: hut circles, cairns, cists and the stone rows on Lakehead Hill.
Bellever earns its place through the meeting of working forest and open Dartmoor, with a tor walk, grazing ponies and prehistoric sites that give a walk here more depth than a forest circuit alone.
Peaceful · Wild · Big-sky
Find your way
Open mapBellever, near Postbridge, Dartmoor, Devon
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Choose a short forest circuit or a longer walk towards Bellever Tor. For a history-led visit, seek out the prehistoric remains around Lakehead Hill. Route conditions and access can vary, so check the linked walk and Forestry England information before setting out.
Things to do
Walk the Bellever Trail
Follow a 2.5-mile route on mostly surfaced forestry tracks with gentle slopes. Visit Dartmoor gives a walking time of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
About 1 hour 15 minutes
Take the Postbridge Trail towards Bellever Tor
Walk the 3-mile circular route on forestry tracks for views across open moorland, with an optional detour up Bellever Tor. The source notes some steep, rocky sections.
About 1.5 hours, plus any detour
Find the prehistoric remains
Explore the Lakehead Hill stone rows, cairn circles and cists, and look for ancient hut circles in the forest. Britain Express describes a 1.3km History Hunter’s Trail from Postbridge covering six major prehistoric sites.
Visit Postbridge clapper bridge
Add the nearby clapper bridge to a walk starting from Postbridge; Visit Dartmoor lists it among nearby attractions.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour 15 minutes
Quick Escape: Bellever Trail
- 01
Start at the main Forestry Commission car park at Bellever.
- 02
Follow the Bellever Trail through the forest on mostly surfaced tracks with gentle slopes.
- 03
Keep an eye out for grazing ponies and deer, which Visit Dartmoor notes may be seen on the walk.
Half day · About 2–4 hours; allow extra time for stops
Make a Half Day of It: Forest, Tor and Postbridge
- 01
Begin with the 3-mile Postbridge Trail, described as a 1.5-hour circular walk on forestry tracks.
- 02
Take the optional detour up Bellever Tor for views across open moorland.
- 03
After the walk, visit the Postbridge clapper bridge or Postbridge Visitor Centre.
- 04
Visit Dartmoor lists a village shop, pub and hotel within walking distance of the Postbridge route start; check what is open.
Full Wildland day · Allow most of a day; route duration depends on stops
Full Wildland Day: Walk the Forest’s Prehistoric Landscape
- 01
Start at Bellever and follow a forest trail, allowing time to look for hut circles.
- 02
Explore the prehistoric sites around Lakehead Hill, including the stone rows, cairn circles and cists.
- 03
Use the History Hunter’s Trail information from Postbridge Visitor Centre to find six major prehistoric sites on its 1.3km circular route.
- 04
Finish with a visit to the Postbridge clapper bridge or a meal in Postbridge, checking opening details before travelling.
Verified history
Britain Express reports that the Forestry Commission began planting Bellever Forest in 1931 after purchasing Bellever Farm from the Duchy of Cornwall. The landscape also contains prehistoric remains, including the Lakehead Hill stone rows, cairn circles and cists, and hut circles within the forest. It describes the History Hunter’s Trail from Postbridge as a 1.3km circular route to six major prehistoric sites.
Hidden details
Look for hut circles among the forest tracks — Britain Express notes several ancient hut circles within the forest, easy to overlook if you follow the tracks without watching for archaeological remains.
Seek out the Lakehead Hill stone rows and burial remains — The stone rows, cairn circles and cists occupy the top of Lakehead Hill. Britain Express places the rows just off the ancient Lych Way.
When to go
· No specific time is established by the supplied sources. Check Forestry England’s current car park hours before visiting.
The supplied sources do not identify a best season or seasonal wildlife timings.
The Postbridge Trail includes steep, rocky sections. Check current Dartmoor conditions and choose footwear appropriate to the route.
The route
- surface
- Mostly surfaced forestry tracks; the Postbridge Trail has some steep, rocky sections.
- distance
- Two sourced walks: Bellever Trail, 2.5 miles (4km); Postbridge Trail, 3 miles (4.5km).
- duration
- Bellever Trail: about 1 hour 15 minutes. Postbridge Trail: about 1.5 hours.
- difficulty
- Bellever Trail: mostly surfaced tracks with gentle slopes. Postbridge Trail: mostly forestry tracks, with some steep rocky sections.
- route shape
- Both described routes are circular.
- start point
- Bellever Trail: main Forestry Commission car park at Bellever, grid reference SX656773 in the Visit Dartmoor source. Postbridge Trail: Forestry Commission car park at Postbridge, grid reference SX646787 in the Visit Dartmoor source.
- parking start
- Forestry England lists car parks at Bellever village and Postbridge village. Charges apply at the time described by its page; check its current prices and opening information before travelling.
- shorter alternative
- The Bellever Trail is the shorter sourced circuit at 2.5 miles and about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Open-moor views from the Postbridge Trail
- Optional detour to Bellever Tor
- Possible sightings of ponies and deer
- Prehistoric remains including stone rows, cairns, cists and hut circles
Worth pairing with
Postbridge clapper bridge
A nearby heritage stop listed by Visit Dartmoor alongside the forest walks.
Postbridge Visitor Centre
Listed as a nearby attraction; Britain Express says the History Hunter’s Trail information sheet is available from the visitor centre.
What to look for
Look for the prehistoric stone rows on Lakehead Hill, burial cairns and cists, and hut circles in the forest. Visit Dartmoor also describes open-moor views from the Postbridge Trail and the option of a detour to Bellever Tor.
The story
Prehistoric archaeology: stone rows, cairns, cists and hut circles.
Best time to go
Check current conditions. The supplied walk information describes routes year-round but gives no preferred season.
No specific best time of day is established by the supplied sources. Check current conditions and car park opening information before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Families · History lovers · Wildlife lovers · Dogs
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Forestry England manages the forest and identifies car parks at Bellever village and Postbridge village. Check current access and parking information before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
Forestry England lists car parks at Bellever village and Postbridge village. Charges apply; current prices and details are on its visitor page.
Toilets
Forestry England lists toilets at Bellever village car park, open daily 9.30am–5pm. Check current information before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Visit Dartmoor lists a village shop, pub and hotel in Postbridge within walking distance of the Postbridge walk start. Check opening arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Forestry England lists dogs as allowed. Visit Dartmoor advises keeping dogs on a lead around the picnic area.
Accessibility
Forestry England lists an accessible toilet but no designated accessible parking spaces. Dartmoor National Park publishes a Miles Without Stiles route for Bellever Forest; check its route details for suitability.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Water
River
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Bellever Forest
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
