Bellever is a hamlet in Dartmoor, Devon, UK. It is located on the river East Dart about 2 kilometres south of Postbridge. Filled with coniferous trees, winding hiking paths and Dartmoor ponies.

• Bellever is a working forest and the Forestry Commission have been growing Timber there since 1931.
• The first mention of a settlement at this location is in a Duchy of Cornwall record from 1355 which gives the name of a farm here as Welford
• In 1934 some of the barns of Bellever Farm were let to Youth Hostels Association (England & Wales) and now form the oldest, still functioning youth hostel in Devon.
• Bellever Tor lies 1.5 kilometres (1 mi) to the southwest.
• It is important to keep all gates shut in order to prevent cross-breeding with ponies from the surrounding area. Please do not feed the ponies.

The forest is bursting with archaeology from its clapper bridge and the Lich Way to the more subtle but abundant stone cists, burial cairns and field boundaries. There are over thirty hut circles within the forest, just a hint that there were many more people living on the high moor during the Bronze Age (4000-2600 years ago) than there are today. Excavations in the 1890s found flint knives, scrapers and shards of pottery, some of it highly decorated.

If you’re not keen on camping then you can always book in at the youth hostel.

• Camping, You’re not allowed to set up camp in the forest and they have now put up some signs warning you. You have to hop across the river (or walk around to bellever bridge) to the otherside where there are plenty of places to set up along the river. Individuals and small groups are allowed to camp for up to two nights in the same place without asking permission. When planning your trip, make sure you check-out the Dartmoor Wild Camping map. All wild campers must adhere to the Dartmoor Backpack Camping Code.
• Hostel, YHA Dartmoor from £16.99 a night for a room or camping at £5 per person per night.

The circular routes are waymarked and full details can be found on a plaque on the side of the toilet block in Bellever car park.

There are two circular trails:

• Bellever Trail: Marked red this route is 2.5 mile long and takes you up and through Bellever Forest. Consisting of a few gentle climbs and where you may stumble across hut circles, grazing ponies and deer.
• Postbridge Trail: Marked yellow this 3 mile trek takes you to nearby Postbridge, as well as a short detour to the highest point in the near area, the granite outcrop of Bellever Tor with stunning views out across open moorland.
• There is a third trail, but it’s an easy trail for disabled access that leads straight down from the car park to the edge of the water to stunning views of the river and a place to enjoy a picnic.

Tip: Walking along the forestry roads is quite boring and laborious, so I would recommend you work out a route to avoid it as much as possible.

Tip: Beware of adders, the Uk’s only venomous snake.

Getting around is easy, but it can be soft underfoot in places. There are a few places where you can cross the river by hopping over rocks, failing that just walk to the road bridge and around where you’ll also find the Bellever Clapper Bridge, a relic from medieval times.

• Bike, Cyclists are welcome, but asked to stay on the stoned forest roads.
• Disabled Access, there is a short path leading from the car park down to the East Dart river.
• Walking, Moderate walking mostly surfaced forestry tracks with some rocky sections. No steep climbs, but can be boggy in places.

Bellever Forest, Yelverton PL20 6TP. Car is the easiest option to get here, though the roads are narrow and windy. Once you arrive there is a large car park that is pay & display £3 all day.

• Bus, The 98 from Yelverton Roundabout stops at Bellever village, then just a 2 minute walk.
• Car,
  • From Ashburton follow Newbridge Hill passing the Tavistock Inn all the way to Bellever, as you pass over the river then it’s signposted the next turn on your left.
  • From Yelverton on the B3212 to Moretonhampstead, at Postbridge take the turning signposted for Bellever.  After 1.5km you will enter the village.  Turn left at the triangle of grass and after 130m you will see the entrance to Bellever Forest on the right.

Remember Dartmoor has a 40mph speed limit to protect the cattle, sheep and ponies who freely roam the moor and can wander onto the roads at any time.

• You can see all my camping gear here.
• There are a couple circular walks that take you around some of the old settlements, open moorland and up to Bellever Tor.
• Walking along the forestry roads is quite boring and laborious, so I would recommend you work out a route to avoid it as much as possible.
• Beware of adders, the Uk’s only venomous snake.
• There is no phone signal so you can switch off from the rest of the world.
• It is important to keep all gates shut in order to prevent cross-breeding with ponies from the surrounding area. Please do not feed the ponies.
• The Bellever Clapper Bridge is alongside the road bridge.
• Disabled Access, there is a short path leading from the car park down to the East Dart river.
• Toilets are open 9am -10pm if you don’t mind the odd spider or 2. Although they didn’t open until 10am when we there in the middle of September.
• There is a village shop and pub in Postbridge within a 30 minute walk.
• There are large bins next to the toilets.
• Camping, individuals and small groups are allowed to camp for up to two nights in the same place without asking permission. When planning your trip, make sure you check-out the Dartmoor Wild Camping map. All wild campers must adhere to the Dartmoor Backpack Camping Code.
• You can not camp on the forest side of the river, you have to cross to the meadow on the other side.
• Leave no trace, there are rubbish bins right next to the toilets in the car park.
• Don’t light fires or BBQ’s directly on the grass, always use a rock or a camping stove/bbq with legs so not to damage the ground.
• Dogs must be kept on a lead in the presence of grazing animals and around the picnic area.
• Tip: £25 off your first Airbnb trip of £55 or more click here.