Burrator Reservoir Dog Walk: Dartmoor Circuit, Fenced Dog Park, and Sheepstor Tor
Yelverton, Devon
Burrator Reservoir sits in a granite bowl in the southern Dartmoor hills, and the circuit around it gives dogs the characteristic textures of the moor - rock, heather, thin acid soil - without requiring navigation across open moorland. The route moves between woodland in the Arboretum section, open moorland above the dam, and the shoreline path, with Sheepstor tor rising on the southern side and the reservoir reflecting the sky below. Free parking at the main dam car park and public toilets open every day make this one of the more logistically straightforward Dartmoor walks.
Partial off-lead: South West Lakes Trust manages Burrator as a drinking water reservoir, and the access rules reflect that. Dogs must be kept on lead on all paths around the reservoir and must be kept out of the water at all times, with no exceptions, due to blue-green algae risk. The only off-lead area is a fenced dog park approximately 600 metres from the Discovery Centre, which contains native woodland and multiple paths within the enclosure. On the open moorland sections beyond the reservoir boundary, the CRoW Act applies from 1 March to 31 July, and sheep and Dartmoor ponies are present year-round. Plan for a lead walk with one off-lead section.
Frequently asked questions
Can my dog go in the water at Burrator Reservoir?
No. Dogs must be kept out of Burrator Reservoir at all times with no exceptions. Burrator is a drinking water reservoir managed by South West Lakes Trust, and dog access to the water is prohibited for water safety reasons. Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can also be present in the reservoir seasonally - algae blooms are toxic to dogs and can be fatal. Keep dogs on lead on all paths around the reservoir perimeter and away from the water’s edge. The East Dart and West Dart rivers on open Dartmoor (further north) provide swimming opportunities if that is your priority.
Is there an off-lead area at Burrator Reservoir?
Yes. There is a fenced off-lead dog park approximately 600 metres from the Burrator Discovery Centre. The enclosure contains native woodland and multiple internal paths, giving dogs a self-contained off-lead area within the park. This is the only designated off-lead zone on the reservoir estate - the reservoir paths themselves require dogs on lead at all times. On open moorland sections beyond the reservoir estate boundary, dogs can be off lead outside the CRoW Act period (1 March to 31 July) when not near livestock.
Are there Dartmoor ponies at Burrator and do they affect dogs?
Yes. Dartmoor ponies graze on the open moorland sections beyond the reservoir estate boundary and may be encountered on the wider circuit. Sheep also graze the moorland year-round. Keep dogs on lead whenever livestock are visible and give ponies a wide berth - they are generally placid but can kick or startle if approached by an unfamiliar dog. Dartmoor ponies are a native rare breed and are a protected feature of the landscape. Do not allow dogs to chase or approach them. The reservoir circuit itself is fenced from the open moor in most sections, but the moorland sections above the dam bring you closer to open grazing land.
Where do I park for Burrator Reservoir?
The main car park is at the Burrator Discovery Centre (PL20 6PE) next to the dam - it is free and has public toilets open daily. An alternative is Norsworthy Bridge car park (PL20 6PF) on the southern side of the reservoir, also free. Walk leaflets for the reservoir circuit and the accessible Arboretum trail (1.5 km) are available from the Discovery Centre. Burrator is signposted from Yelverton on the B3212 Princetown road. Note that Dartmoor’s high rainfall means the moorland sections can be very boggy from October to March - pack waterproof footwear.
Plan this walk with live weather and dog-safe route info