How do I know if the firing range is open before I walk to High Willhays?

The military publish firing times in advance online and at car park noticeboards. Red flags fly when the range is active, which means it's closed to public access—check before you set off, as wandering onto an active artillery range is seriously dangerous.

Can I visit High Willhays on weekends?

Generally yes, weekend access is usually reliable outside of major military exercises. You'll still need to check the firing schedule beforehand though, as range days do occasionally fall on weekends.

What happens if I ignore the red flags and walk on the range anyway?

You'll have a stern conversation with range wardens and possibly police, depending on how cooperative you are. More importantly, you're risking a genuine health and safety incident on an active artillery range—it's not just mild inconvenience, it's genuinely dangerous.

Dartmoor Tors & Legends

Yes Tor and High Willhays: When Dartmoor's Highest Point Is Inside a Firing Range

High Willhays is Dartmoor’s highest point at 621 metres, standing beside Yes Tor within the Okehampton military training area. Public access to both depends on the range being open, so walkers must check the published firing times and red-flag warnings before setting out.

17 August 20268 min read