Storywalk: Witches and the Wild Hunt at Hound Tor

Folklore has long shaped our understanding of the Dartmoor landscape. The eroded granite boulders of Hound Tor aren't just volcanic rock, they're the hounds of the unfortunate Bowerman, turned to stone for upsetting a coven of witches. By familiarising ourselves with these tales, we engage with the power of this special landscape to provoke and inspire.

Join storyteller Helen Bruce from the Dartmoor Preservation Association on a loop taking in Hound Tor and the nearby Medieval village, pausing to listen to tales in the very landscape that inspired the stories. We will take some time to reflect on the power of storytelling as a catalyst for positive change and it's role within ecological activism.

This walk contains some sustained climbs and follows a mix of moorland paths and grassy tracks. We advise you to wear walking footwear and trousers as there are ticks and adders around.

Please bring along suncream, snacks and drinks for the walk, as we will pause for stories. The Swallerton Gate carpark is free to use and there is often a snack van there, which sells hots drinks and food. Gather from 9:45am, as we will be leaving promptly at 10am. The Dartmoor weather is notoriously changeable, so please dress appropriately with regard to the forecast, and wear layers that can be added or removed as required. Check your email before leaving home for last minute communications about weather.

Photo by Glavind Strachan Photography