Tucker's Pool is like something straight from your jungle book fantasies! The most perfect crystal clear, yet emerald green water, surrounded by tree and moss covered cliff walls that give it a wonderfully wild and secluded vibe. In honesty, it’s the sort of place I didn’t know existed in England.
However, if all this sounds too good to be true, then know that there is a catch. Although the walk to reach this spot is short, it’s not easy and in parts very precarious.
This will not be for everyone, but if you’re used to hiking rough trails, read on.
Edit for April 2024: we’ve sadly heard that the gate is now locked, if this remains the case then it’s no longer possible to access the pool via the route described.
The walk to Tucker's Pool
The stats
Distance: 0.5 miles (750m) each way
Elevation gain: 65m
Difficulty: Hard due to precarious path
The walk to Tucker's Pool is short and not very steep, but don’t be fooled by the stats. The last couple of hundred metres to the pool are on a narrow path above the gorge. There are a couple of fallen trees to negotiate, as well as a few sections of loose soil.
Don’t try this one on a wet day, when the narrow path would become very slippery. A slip along the trail above the pool would be very bad news. Don’t attempt this one if you aren’t used to off track walking.
We debated writing about it for this reason, but given lots of people scramble far hairier routes in places like the Lake District, we decided to write it for people comfortable with this kind of terrain.
Starting the trail
From the parking area (details below), the beginning of the walk is along a sealed road. You can’t drive it though, as motorised vehicles are not allowed.
It’s just 150m before you reach the footpath anyway, so it’s no hardship. The road will end and you’ll see a signpost. Head left down the footpath, which is basically like a gravel road.
It’s nice and shady from the canopy of trees above and after a few minutes very easy walking, you’ll reach the viaduct (400m from where you parked).
This is the end of the easy section of the walk.
Descending beside the old viaduct
As you’re walking down the gravel path you’d never think you were about to stumble upon a huge old viaduct! It’s a pretty cool sight in and of itself, especially as it’s surrounded by lots of dense greenery.
The path to get down to the gorge is the first one you’ll see on the right, just in front of the viaduct.
It’s relatively steep and made up of loose soil, but not actually that hard to get down because it’s tiered and there are gullies - if it headed straight down it would be much more slippery. Just watch your step because it is a bit loose and crumbly.
It only takes a few minutes to get down and then you’ll be standing beside a big rusty old gate. Once you head through the gate you’ll be inside the gorge itself.
Navigating the gorge
It’s from this point that the trail becomes precarious. Don’t venture in when it’s been raining, or after heavy recent rain, when it will be extra slippery and potentially crumbly. You have a little under 300m to get to the pool, but it’s all on an undulating narrow path.
The path is unmaintained and eroded. Having said that, if you’re used to off track hiking and go carefully, it wasn’t too bad (however it is precarious and at your own risk).
The path descends briefly and then ascends briefly, up to a fallen tree.
You can walk under the tree, very carefully, as it’s very narrow for a couple of steps when you emerge and you are now higher above the gorge, where you don’t want to take a tumble.
From here, it’s a few more steps along a narrow section close to the edge of the gorge, before the path gets better and moves further from the edge.
It’s a little overgrown and you’ll need to pass under one more tree (easier this time) before you descend to the pool.
The decent is a little loose, but in honesty far better than many ‘maintained’ trails we walked in Wales!
You will then arrive at a log and step down a couple of rocks to the stony area beside the pool.
Swimming at Tucker's Pool
Tucker's Pool really does have jungle vibes! It’s a tiny pool, but it’s wild and utterly fabulous.
We’ve spent the last few months wild swimming at various locations around the UK and as of yet we haven’t found a water colour that matches Tucker's Pool.
It’s the most incredible shade of green, yet crystal clear. When I first saw it I thought it was really shallow, but it’s just so clear that you can’t tell how deep it actually is until you’re inside! Answer: very!
The water colour combined with the dozen other shades of green from all the surrounding moss and foliage are what gives it those wild jungle vibes.
The gorge walls add seclusion, and the result is a magical place indeed.
It is however, very cold water. This is not a good option for a first wild swim. It wasn’t far off the Blue Pools in New Zealand which are literally glacial!
If you love cold water swimming, it’s definitely one of those spots that makes you feel alive though!
It’s worth noting that though there is a path on the other side of the pool, this area is closed, so you need to retrace your steps back the way you came after your swim.
Keep them wild
Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.
Tucker's Pool Parking
Given this is not an official track, there is no parking for the pool specifically. Instead you need to park on the road opposite Rowell Cross, near the War Memorial in the middle of Lydford village.
The parking area is just down the road from Lydford Gorge, so it’s well worth combining the two as the walk at the gorge is easily one of the best in Dartmoor.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, that we will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase. This helps towards the costs of running our website. Thanks for your support!
