8k Run South Hams: Scenic Adventure from Ivybridge

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 7.5km off-road loop offers a quintessential Dartmoor running experience, starting from Ivybridge and climbing deep into the rugged beauty of the South Hams. As a "lollipop" style route with over 200m of ascent, runners should prepare for a steady grind on the way up and some technical footwork on the moorland trails. You’ll follow the iconic Two Moors Way, skirting Weatherdon Hill toward Glasscombe Ball and Butterdon Hill. The terrain is entirely unpaved, consisting of grassy tracks and stony paths that can become soft after rain, so trail shoes with good lugs are highly recommended for navigating the wind-whipped slopes of Western Beacon on the return leg.

Steeped in local history, this area of Dartmoor is home to ancient cairns and stone rows that date back to the Bronze Age, most notably along the ridge between Butterdon Hill and Western Beacon. As the southernmost points of the National Park, these hills served as vital lookout spots for centuries. On a clear day, your effort is rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views that stretch across the South Hams rolling countryside all the way to the Plymouth Sound and the English Channel. It’s a favorite spot for local fell runners looking to escape the valley heat and find some solitude among the grazing ponies and granite outcrops.