Famous worldwide, and immortalised in the Sherlock Holmes classic The Hound of the Baskervilles, Dartmoor is one of Devon's priceless jewels. It is easy to see why the moor is a mecca for millions of visitors and an addiction among outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.
With hundreds of miles of rights of way and views to die for, it is one of the few places left in the county where you really can get away from it all.  | | Burrator Reservoir in autumn haze |
The unique granite wilderness is administered by the Dartmoor National Park Authority.
There are over 160 tors, some climbing to nearly 1,500ft above sea level. Dotted around the moor, there are picturesque towns and villages, placed among the reservoirs, thousands of acres of woodland and sites of archaeological importance.
The Dartmoor Way is a circular walking and cycling route that sweeps for almost 90 miles around the national park.
View Dartmoor on this short video: Not surprisingly the moor also has groups set up to protect it, including the Dartmoor Preservation Association, the Dartmoor Society and the Dartmoor Trust.
Then there are the groups whic have a special interest in the moor's wildlife - like the Dartmoor Pony Society.
 | | Widecombe-in-the Moor |
The Dartmoor Rescue Group helps with the annual Ten Tors expedition, and throughout the year they are on hand to help the police with search and rescue tasks.
And, as in all of Britain's national parks, there are scores of information points and centres run by the park authority that provide a wealth of information on walks and the moor itself.
Hundreds of years ago, the moor was regarded as a savage place to be avoided - but that changed over time and the moor now attracts people from around the world.
The challenge now is to try and allow continued access to the moor, while at the same time preserving the moor's natural beauty for the future.
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