Way of the Dead (a Dartmoor Traverse East to West)

Way of the Dead: 50k Dartmoor traverse

The Way of the Dead is a 50-kilometre east-to-west Dartmoor traverse organised by Wild Running. The event is a self-navigation route for solo runners or pairs. Organisers provide race GPX files and live GPS tracking; checkpoints double as feed stations and there are up to three feed stations along the route. Bags for 50k entrants are transported to the finish in Tavistock, with an option to drop a bag at the final checkpoint at Merrivale. All checkpoints must be visited on route.

The route begins at Trenchford Reservoir and passes Kelly Farm, wooded paths, the B382, Lustleigh church, the Cleave, Manaton, Bowerman’s Nose and Hayne Down. It continues via Kitty Jay’s Grave, Hameldown Ridge, Grimspound, Sousson’s Wood, Bellever plantation, Postbridge and Powdermills (halfway). The course climbs Longaford Tor and Lydford Tor, then follows the Lych toward Merrivale, crosses Whitchurch Common, skirts a golf course, crosses the River Tavy twice and finishes at Tavistock Stannary Brewing Company.

Ascent is 1,389 metres and the overall cut off is 10 hours. The event includes GPS trackers, marshalled course, professional first aid, insurance, parking, bespoke medals for finishers, prizes for category winners and a bag drop for the 50k. Required kit includes a map or GPS device, water-resistant top and bottoms, minimum 250 ml water container, suitable off-road shoes, mobile phone, £20 cash and basic warm layers. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.