Get into the Olympic spirit on Dartmoor with Active Dartmoor Week

Release Date: 15/02/2012

You don’t need to head to London to get into Olympic spirit in 2012 but you may be inspired by the iconic and beautiful location of Dartmoor in Devon which is to be the setting for a new Olympic style challenge, Active Dartmoor Week. www.dartmoor.co.uk

From 31 March until April 8, the awe inspiring terrain of Dartmoor will be host to a series of competitive challenges, kicking off the 2012 Olympic celebrations early with a range of activities and sports which showcase the wide variety of things to do and see in this most spectacular landscape. From zip wires and cycling, raft races, pony trekking, endurance events to a bake off there is something for everyone to really test their mettle at one of the UK’s most stunning locations.

Active Dartmoor Week will launch on 31 March at the National Trust’s Castle Drogo at Drewsteignton in Devon with a day of fun and high adrenalin activities for all the family to enjoy, which is in aid of the Dartmoor Search and Rescue and the National Trust’s save Castle Drogo appeal. You will be able to sign up to any of the challenge events that are taking place throughout the week. There will be local food, bushcraft, den building, guided walks, roof top tours of the castle, ponies, photography, artworks, dancing and much, much more.

Active Dartmoor Week is being organised by the official tourism organisation for Dartmoor, the Dartmoor partnership, together with local businesses.

Dartmoor was very much the star of the recently released Steven Spielberg film War Horse and for those who were inspired to go horse riding on Dartmoor may want to take part in the one-day horse riding challenge. This full day riding cross-country challenge on the moor will take in some spectacular countryside, breathtaking views and lunch at a local pub.

The Dare Devil High Adventures at the River Dart Country Park at Ashburton is not for the faint hearted. Do you have the nerve to cross crazy bridges, see-saws and make a leap of faith 60 feet in the air on the aerial obstacle course. A day of adrenalin fuelled high adventure in a stunning country park in the Dartmoor National Park. www.riverdart.co.uk

Guided Walks with Moorland Guides Tuesday 3 April from 10am

Take a hike at the Moorland Guides’ Launch day at Postbridge, right in the heart of the moor. Starting at 10am, there will be 2-hour walks taking place very hour. Take advantage of the experienced guides, learn more about the moor and enjoy the landscape around you. The walks are free of charge but walkers are asked to make a donation to Dartmoor Rescue. To book, email jess@discoverdartmoor.com or call 07579 969121 or just turn up on the day.

Wednesday 4 April from 11am The Art of Walking with Amanda Pellatt Find your creative inspiration in the River Erme Valley. Moorland Guide, painter and ecological artist Amanda Pellatt invites you to join her in a fun participatory stroll along the riverbank through Longtimber Woods. Bring your camera and notebook. The walk is 1.5 miles (2 hours). Please wear suitable clothing, boots or wellies. Meet at 11am at Harford Road car park, Ivybridge. The walk is free but participants are asked to make a donation to Dartmoor Rescue.

Booking at: amandapellatt@yahoo.co.uk, call 07727 066027 or visit the website: www.amandapellatt.co.uk

Geochaching Challenge with the Dartmoor National Park Authority Thursday 5 April 11am. Dartmoor National Park officers will host a series of guided and self-guided Geocache trails that will allow families, groups, and individuals the opportunity to try this activity and to win a prize. Starting from Haytor Visitor Centre, there will be introductions to Geocaching at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, and 3pm with a variety of sets available to hire for a small donation to Active Dartmoor charities. To book contact rdrysdale@dartmoor-npa.org or call 01626 831 003

Big Oke Abseil Saturday April 7 11am-4pm with Adventure Okehampton Test your head for heights by lowering yourself more than a hundred feet to the ground below from Meldon viaduct to the Okement River. Come as a group and raise money for your chosen charity; for every individual that enters the Big Oke Abseil then organisers Adventure Okehampton will make a donation to Dartmoor Rescue. To book your place, email: activities@adventureokehampton.com or Tel 0844 2930556. www.adventureokehampton.com

Cyclosportive Sunday 8 April with British Cycling. If you are a keen cyclist and love getting out on the moor then this event run by British Cycling is for you. There will be a 60-mile sportive, a 30-mile challenge for women and a 20- mile family sportive. The event will be held at Parke, Bovey Tracey and it will raise money for Youth Cycling and the National Trust. Contact Keith Green for more details 01837 52200 www.britishcycling.org.uk

More details on events such as the Horse Riding Challenge, fishing competition, the Marble Run Challenge and a Bake Off with Ashburton Cookery School will be coming soon. Please check www.dartmoor.co.uk for regular updates.

For further information, to register interest and for details of all current participants signed up to get involved, please visit www.dartmoor.co.uk/what-to-do/active-dartmoor-week For press enquiries please contact: Jess Whistance Tel 07748 635869 or email jess@discoverdartmoor.com

For further press information contact: Jane Adkins T/: 01935 813114 M/: 07960 698089 E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk Gail Livingstone T/: 01823 252415 M/:07767 055595 E/: gail@aheadforpr.co.uk