The Way of the Dead is a Dartmoor experience strictly for the brave

The Way of the Dead, formerly the traverse from east to west, is back for a second year and an epic 50km run across the wilds of Dartmoor.

The route tells the full story: Starting at the car park at Trenchford Reservoir, runners head towards Kelly Farm, down wooded paths and across the B382.

Crossing fields and then tarmac to the church in Lustleigh, it is then cross behind the church before venturing in to the Cleave. In the Cleave, follow signs for Water and runners soon see a path, which takes them up to Manaton tarmac ascent to Bowerman’s Nose and Hayne Down.

The next section to Kitty Jay’s Grave is pathed with gravel. Choose the best line up to Hameldown Ridge, but organisers recommend taking the right path along the wood boundary and past the war plane wreck memorial, as this will take runners down past Grimspound and to the CP on the road boundary. All CPs must be visited on the route. The course runs through Sousson’s Wood to its western edge.

Next up, it is to the west of Bellever plantation to Postbridge and on to Powdermills, the halfway point and finish for the 16 milers. Climbing up to Longaford Tor and Lydford Tor, runners follow the Lych, as if heading for Mary Tavy. But at the final fork below White Tor, and before reaching Stephen’s Grave, take the south westerly footpath towards Merrivale, then crossing Whitchurch Common, until reaching Moortown, after which runners skirt the southern fringes of the golf course before crossing the River Tavy and then crossing back again and heading towards the brewery for the finish line.

It is an epic run and an amazing journey across the beauty of Dartmoor.