My Dartmoor Walks

Tuesday 12th November Staple Tors

I wasn't able to join the usual Tuesday walk this morning but I was able to get out by myself later in the afternoon.

Starting from the car park at Pork Hill this is the route up - a bit steeper than it looks from here. This is one of my favourite 'shorter' walks.

Near the top the view across to Brent Tor...

...then the other way across to Staple Tors and Great Mis Tor in the distance...

...and north towards Great Links Tor.

Going down the other side with the dew pond in view.

Looking across to Foggintor

Boulters Tor on Smeardon Down

I went down around and came up to the back of Roos Tor. Great Staple Tor in the distance.

The moon was coming up over North Hessary Tor - I was surprised the camera was able to pick up the craters on the moon.

I had planned to arrive at Great Staple Tor to capture the sun going down and there was another guy there doing the same thing.

The changing light.

This is about 15 minutes before sunset which was quite spectacular at this point but it fizzled out a little as the sun got lower.

Wednesday 6th November Longaford Tor

Well I thought we were going for a walk when Kevin arrives in the car park with kayak on his roof followed a few minutes later by Tom also with a kayak! The conditions were better suited for the water rather than walking. A very, very wet evening with a strong wind but not cold. The wind was behind us as we set off from the Two Bridges car park to go over to the edge of the Powdermills bog. Next up to Longaford Tor where we took a break. We turned to come back directly into the wind and rain taking the path which runs along the edge of Wistman's Wood. A real test for our waterproofs as one person found out! Tom brought two friends who had never been out in these conditions before. They seemed to enjoy the walk but the real test will be whether they come again!

Feeling very invigorated we went on to the Prince of Wales.

With Tom, Colin, David, Charles, Kevin, Mike and Jon.

Tuesday 5th November The Three Reservoirs

A longer drive today to the 'other' side. It was dull and dreary at home but there was some sunshine on the east. To the three reservoirs about 3 miles north of Bovey Tracey. The main car park by Trenchford Reservoir is now pay and display.

Our route was to take across the dam but due to construction work this was closed.

There is however a path that goes down below the dam and around the water works which brought us out...

...at the southern most point on Tottiford Reservoir...

...we followed this for a short distance...

...before turning right into the woods where there is a bridge which splits Tottiford Reservoir in half.

Specimens of fungus.

Then into an area of very tall Larch trees which according to a notice are awaiting felling due to disease.

On to a large clearing...

...followed by another tunnel of trees.

Our planned route was 'over there' through Laployd Plantation but the signs said we couldn't go because of clearing work.

So on to an unapproved route through more mature woods...

After a while we came out at Kennick Reservoir - this is the largest of the three and this one always seems to be full.

Across the dam to follow the path around the top part of Tottiford Reservoir - no water in this bit...

...well not much!

At the bridge dividing the reservoir we turned right and back across to Trenchford Reservoir...

...around the top of this and...

...back to the start - looking down Trenchford Reservoir.

Lunch was at The Cleeve in Lustleigh where we were joined by Roger and Chris - who had got up too late to join us on the walk! With Terry and Rosemary.

Then back home where there had been showers and no sunshine!

Monday 4th November Longaford Tor

A fantastic day for walking, cooler again, bright blue skies and very clear visibility. This walk is similar to the one I did last week but that one was too long. It is a continuation of that recee. So starting again from the car park at Two Bridges I set off up the track.