Haytor Granite Tramway, Dartmoor, Devon

In the 1820’s a tramway with granite stone rails was constructed from granite quarries around Haytor to a canal terminal near Bovey Tracey. The tramway was required to get the granite down a steep gradient from the quarries on the moor to a location where it could be loaded onto water-bourne transport. The tramway was in use for several decades, and sections of the branching tracks can still be seen on the moors around the old workings, and crossing modern roads.
It’s interesting to follow these on the ground, and it also makes for a healthy walk. To get started, you need a large scale map that shows the tramways in relation to the modern roads and the Tor. Boots and stout trousers may be required in the more rubble-strewn or overgrown spots. My sister lives in Devon so I just borrowed her maps…