Way of the Dead 50K Ultra Marathon

Way of the Dead 50km Dartmoor Traverse Ultramarathon

Follow the ancient paths across the desolate beauty of Dartmoor. The Way of the Dead 50k ultramarathon is a breathtaking, self-navigated East-to-West traverse that combines raw moorland running with the ultimate post-race reward: a finish line at a brewery.

Organised by the trail experts at Wild Running, this event (formerly known as the Dartmoor Traverse East to West) has quickly become a standout fixture in the South West ultra calendar. Taking its name from the historic "Lych Way", an ancient route used to carry the deceased across the moors to the church at Lydford, this race is a stunning, varied journey through deep wooded cleaves, over high granite tors, and across open, trackless moorland.

Course

Starting at Trenchford Reservoir near Newton Abbot, the route is immediately captivating. You will plunge into the enchanting Lustleigh Cleave, passing through the hamlet of Water and climbing towards the iconic rock formation of Bowerman's Nose.

As you push further west, the terrain becomes wilder. You will pass Kitty Jay's Grave before choosing your best line up to the exposed Hameldown Ridge. The route then weaves past historic sites, including a war plane wreck memorial and the ancient settlement of Grimspound, before cutting through Sousson's Wood and Bellever Plantation to reach Postbridge.

The final sections will test your navigational skills and tired legs as you trace the ancient Lych Way, passing Longaford Tor, Merrivale, and Whitchurch Common, before crossing the River Tavy and making your triumphant descent into Tavistock.

The Way of the Dead is a self-navigated event. While you will be provided with the GPX files and there are some natural paths, much of the second half requires confident map-reading or GPS tracking skills to find the most efficient lines across the moor. You can choose to run solo or in pairs.

The Finish Line

What better way to celebrate surviving the Way of the Dead than with a cold pint? The race officially finishes at the Tavistock Stannary Brewing Company. Your drop bags will be transported here from the start, allowing you to change into warm clothes, claim your bespoke finisher's medal, and celebrate your crossing.