A SERIES of exciting Olympic style challenges starts on Dartmoor this weekend as the first Active Dartmoor Week kicks off.

For seven days from Saturday, March 31, the Dartmoor terrain will be home to a series of challenge events, kicking off the 2012 Olympic celebrations early with a range of activities and sports.

At the special launch day at Castle Drogo, guests can enjoy bushcraft, den building, story trails, guided walks, fly-fish casting lessons and roof-top tours of the castle.

The open day will be launched by television presenter and naturalist Nick Baker. There is also the chance to sign up any of the week's other activities.

On Sunday, April 1, Elaine Prior will lead a charity horse ride, inspired by the Steven Spielberg blockbuster 'War Horse'. Starting and ending at Burrator Reservoir, the 12-mile trek will take in the scenery used as the backdrop for the smash-hit film. The ride costs £5 per head, visit http://www.thewarhorseride.co.uk">www.thewarhorseride.co.uk for more details.

Ashburton Cookery School will be the place to be on Monday, April 2 with a demonstration of foraging skills, cookery and a food tasting with David Beasley.

The following day on April 3, River Dart Country Park will be the setting for a series of daredevil adventures with zip wires, water zorbing and forest school skills. Half of the £10 fee will be donated to the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group.

For more sedate activities on April 3, Moorland Guides will be leading walks across the heart of the moor from 10am.

There will be further strolls throughout the week with Amanda Pellatt and Mark Walker. Geocaching, art challenges and fly-fishing tuition with experts from the Arundell Arms Hotel on Thursday, April 5.

The activities come to Okehampton on Saturday, April 7 with the Big Oke Abseil off Meldon Viaduct, organised by Adventure Okehampton.

The same day, the 2012 Dartmoor Firkin Challenge will take place.

Teams of two carry an empty Dartmoor Brewery 9 gallon firkin from The Royal Oak in Meavy around a four mile course, taking in Burrator Reservoir and Sheepstor.

The week's activities conclude with the Brentor 2 Stage Bike Race, with time trials and a 50-mile endurance event.

The week's activities have being organised by the Dartmoor Partnership, as part of its Active Dartmoor project. It is working alongside the Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Duchy of Cornwall and local businesses to provide the week long programme, which is planned to become an annual event.