Way of the Dead (a Dartmoor Traverse East to West)
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Way of the Dead - 50k Dartmoor traverse
The Way of the Dead is a return event offering a 50k east to west traverse across Dartmoor. The route begins at the car park at Trenchford Reservoir and finishes on the edges of Tavistock. The course includes a total ascent of 1327 meters and a 10 hour cut off.
Participants may enter solo or in pairs; pairs compete for prizes for the first three teams and must register a team name. The route is self navigation in places and the second half is relatively unsigned, so navigational experience is recommended. Organisers provide race GPX files and monitor competitors using live GPS tracking. All checkpoints must be visited; there are three checkpoints that double as feed stations and bags can be transported to the finish or to the final feed station at Merrivale.
The route description passes Kelly Farm, wooded paths, the B382, Lustleigh church, the Cleave, Manaton, Bowerman’s Nose, Hayne Down, Kitty Jay’s Grave, Hameldown Ridge, Grimspound, Sousson’s Wood, Bellever plantation, Postbridge, Powdermills at the halfway point, Longaford Tor, Lydford Tor, Stephen’s Grave, and Peter Tavy before following country roads into Tavistock.
Included on the event are GPS trackers provided by Geotracks, a marshalled course, professional first aid, insurance, parking, bespoke finishers medals, category prizes, a bag drop for the 50k and up to three feed stations. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
