7.0
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
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Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.0A weathered granite stack on Dartmoor’s northern slopes is said to resemble a man’s head and shoulders. Local legend turns it into Bowerman, a hunter transformed to stone; geology offers a less supernatural explanation, in the slow work of weathering.
Bowerman’s Nose earns its place through the combination of a striking natural stone landmark, open Dartmoor walking and a memorable local legend. It is a small destination with a strong sense of place, best approached as part of a moorland walk rather than a drive-up viewpoint.
Atmospheric · Wild · Big-sky
Find your way
Open mapManaton, Dartmoor, Devon
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The experience
Walk out across the moor to see the granite stack in its landscape, taking time to look at its distinctive profile and the wide views. The supplied Hiiker route is a 3.1 km out-and-back walk, estimated at about 53 minutes, with 161 m of elevation gain and medium difficulty. Conditions and route details should be checked before setting out.
Things to do
See Bowerman’s Nose from different angles
Walk up to the distinctive granite stack and look at its irregular profile, said to resemble a man’s head and shoulders.
Part of the walk; no separate duration supplied.
Walk the out-and-back route
Hiiker lists a 3.1 km out-and-back walk, about 53 minutes, with 161 m of elevation gain and medium difficulty. Check the route and conditions before relying on these figures.
About 53 minutes
Look for moorland wildlife
Visit Devon advises walkers to watch for Dartmoor ponies, skylarks and grazing sheep in the area.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour; the supplied Hiiker route is 3.1 km out and back, estimated at 53 minutes.
Quick escape: walk to the granite stack
- 01
Use a verified starting point and check current access and parking before setting out; Visit Devon identifies Hound Tor as a starting point and says it is about a 20-minute walk from Bowerman’s Nose.
- 02
Follow the moorland path to the granite stack, allowing extra time for uneven ground and weather.
- 03
Pause to view the formation from more than one angle, then return by the same route.
Half day · Half day; route duration depends on the chosen start and circuit.
Make a half day of it: a moorland circuit
- 01
Plan a circular walk using one of the starting areas named by Visit Devon: Hound Tor or Hayne Down.
- 02
Include Bowerman’s Nose as the main landmark and allow time to stop for views across the Teign Valley when conditions permit.
- 03
Wear sturdy footwear, check the forecast and route information, and confirm parking and access details before leaving.
Verified history
Bowerman’s Nose is a natural granite stack. Visit Devon describes its shape as the result of weathering over thousands of years and gives its height as around 21 feet. The supplied material does not establish a more specific geological date or history.
Folklore & legend
Local legend tells of Bowerman, a hunter who disregarded a coven of witches and was transformed into stone. The story is folklore, not verified history; the stone formation itself is explained by natural weathering.
Hidden details
The profile behind the name — The stack is said to resemble a man’s head and shoulders; move around it and see how its outline changes.
A natural explanation beneath the legend — The local tale attributes the stone to a witch’s spell; Visit Devon instead identifies the stack as a natural result of weathering over thousands of years.
When to go
· Early morning for a quieter visit; sunrise or sunset for light on the granite, as suggested by Visit Devon. Check the forecast before setting out.
The supplied sources do not establish a best month or seasonal wildlife spectacle. Visit Devon recommends early arrival in summer and notes that Dartmoor weather can change quickly.
Visit Devon advises layered clothing because weather can change quickly and sturdy footwear, especially after rain. Check the forecast and ground conditions before walking.
The route
- ascent
- 161 m elevation gain (Hiiker listing)
- surface
- Uneven moorland ground; exact surface not specified
- distance
- 3.1 km out and back (Hiiker listing)
- duration
- About 53 minutes (Hiiker listing)
- difficulty
- Medium (Hiiker listing)
- waymarking
- Visit Devon describes signposted trails from Hound Tor; confirm current waymarking before setting out.
- route shape
- Out and back
- start point
- Hiiker lists the walk near Devon; Visit Devon names Hound Tor and Hayne Down as popular starting points. Confirm the exact start before travelling.
- parking start
- Visit Devon says the closest parking is at Hound Tor, about a 20-minute walk from Bowerman’s Nose. Check current availability and restrictions.
- Bowerman’s Nose granite stack
- Open moorland
- Views across the Teign Valley, on a clear day
What to look for
Look at the stack from different angles: its irregular outline is said to resemble a man’s head and shoulders. Notice how the isolated granite form stands out against the surrounding open moorland.
The story
Folklore & legend; natural granite landform
Best time to go
Check conditions before visiting; the supplied source recommends sturdy footwear, particularly after rain.
Visit Devon suggests arriving early for a quieter experience, especially in summer. It also recommends sunrise or sunset for the light on the granite; allow for rapidly changing weather on Dartmoor.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A distinctive granite landmark on open moorland, reached on foot. The supplied Visit Devon source describes walks from Hound Tor and Hayne Down; expect uneven ground and check current access and conditions before setting out.
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Parking
Visit Devon identifies Hound Tor as the closest parking, about a 20-minute walk from Bowerman’s Nose. Check current parking availability and restrictions before travelling.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
Uneven moorland ground; the supplied source recommends a reasonable level of fitness. Accessibility details are not provided; check before visiting.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Bowerman’s Nose
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
