The forest contains the remains of a prehistoric settlement known as the Bellever Round Pound.
Bellever Tor rises to 443 meters above sea level, providing a natural high point within the woodland complex.
The woodland acts as a vital sanctuary for the endangered High Brown Fritillary butterfly.
Extensive Bronze Age funerary monuments, including stone rows and cairns, are located within the forest boundary.
The site was historically part of the Duchy of Cornwall estate.
Bellever Forest is a coniferous woodland situated in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, managed by Forestry England. The site features an extensive network of waymarked trails catering to walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. It serves as a significant archaeological landscape, containing numerous Bronze Age remains, including the Bellever Tor cairns and cists. The forest is characterized by high-altitude moorland fringes and dense plantations of Sitka spruce and lodgepole pine. It acts as a natural habitat for Dartmoor ponies, which frequently graze on the surrounding moorland and forest edges. The River East Dart runs along the southern boundary of the forest, providing riparian corridors for local wildlife. Visitors can access various vantage points, including the summit of Bellever Tor, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding Dartmoor plateau. The forest floor is noted for its mossy terrain and seasonal displays of native flora.
The summit of Bellever Tor, looking north toward the High Dartmoor hills.
Bring a physical map and compass as mobile signal is unreliable across much of the moorland.
Check the Forestry England website for seasonal timber harvesting notices that may temporarily close specific paths.
Wear waterproof footwear even in summer, as the forest floor and surrounding moorland are often boggy.
Attempting to navigate the central moorland without GPS or navigation skills, especially during heavy mist.
Keep dogs under control or on a lead near livestock; follow the Countryside Code; do not disturb or feed the free-roaming Dartmoor ponies.
