The mild Autumn weather has helped the moor to repair itself and recover from the erosion during the summer, according to the national park authority.

Park rangers have said damage to the moor this summer was less serious than in previous years, which has also helped.

The national park authority estimates up to 10m people a year visit Dartmoor, the majority in the summer.

Plants return

Millions of visitors can cause severe erosion, the park authority said.

However, grasses and plants have grown back into heavily used tracks.

Rangers say this will help the moor withstand the coming rains and snows of the winter.

Dartmoor National Park measures 368 square miles, and the rangers have been on the moor since 1963.

They monitor erosion, remove litter, assist emergency services and work with the public to maintain the beauty of Dartmoor.

However, the park authority is still asking any visitors to take care when walking or riding on Dartmoor and to keep to known tracks, particularly during wet weather.