My Dartmoor Walks

Saturday 7th January Bowerman's Nose

Just Linda and me today and with a later start we decided to begin at the pub. The Rugglestone Inn is apparantly one of the country's top 10 Unspoilt Pubs. The beer is served in the old fashioned way direct from the casks. Anyhow the soup got us off to a good start. A cooler day than of late - felt like a good winter's day for a walk.

The walk started from the Hound Tor car park and we went down the lane to Hayne Down and then turned left over the moor towards Cripdon Down Tors - shown in the middle distance below Easdon Tor in the far distance.

Cripdon Down Tor (12) with Hound Tor and Haytor in the far distance.

Down to the road to the cross roads by Heatree House..

...Easdon Tor on the left and Figgie Daniel on the right

...and daffodils in full bloom on the 7th January.

From here we took the track to Barracott Farm before turning left towards Easdon Tor passing Figgie Daniel (13)

Next up to Easdon Tor (14) with King Tor in the distance on the extreme left.

Down through one of Devon's very narrow lanes - you wouldn't want to meet anyone on this one would you?

Then on to Bowerman's Nose (15)

Never been here before and very spectacular it is too. Amazing that it is still standing.

Finally along the ridge to Hayne Down Tors (16).

From Hayne Down Tors looking towards Haytor.

Thursday 5th January Bel Tor Corner

Due to the storms on Tuesday our walk had been postponed to Thursday. There were two things about this memorable walk - mud and very high winds - at least we had a break from the rain.

We started from Bel Tor Corner which gives you a view across to Bel Tor (9). You can't get to this tor because it is surronded by private land but you can get a good view.

From the car park we set off across to Sherberton Common to the cross roads that lead down to Ponsworthy where we joined The Two Moors way. This follows The West Webburn river which was in spate after the rain which has been fairly continuous for the last week. The footpath was difficult because of the mud.

This was Rosemary's second fall of three (oh you are a mucky kid!) and the rest of us were lucky not to do the same. At least the mud meant a soft landing.

On the bridge by Mill House, Jordan

We followed the path alongside the river to..

....Shallowford.

Then along the road for a short while before going back on to the moor.

This was steep and windy but the views were worth it.

Next across to Cathanger Rock (10)

Along the ridge now to Corndon Tor (11). This was hard work in the wind! To stand still you had to brace yourself and walking was difficult because the wind was so strong it actually moved you across the ground. Roger, our expert in these matters, estimated that the gusts were probably in excess of 100mph.

Corndon Tor spreads is spread over quite a wide area.

The view South towards Sharp Tor with Venford reservoir in the distance.

Looking back to Corndon Tor.

Finally lunch at the Tavistock Inn, Poundsgate.

Walking today Roger, Carol, Terry, Rosemary and Charlie.

Monday 2nd January 2012 Cramber Tor

I have bought 'The A to Z of Dartmoor Tors' by Terry Bound. In this he lists all of the tors on Dartmoor (just over 300) and I aim to visit them all during 2012. The weather has been very wet for the last few days so it was good to get a forecast with just showers and sunshine and a good opportunity to start.

First one that can viewed from home. So starting from Leedon Tor car park, around Sharpitor and up to Peek Hill (1)

Next down to the lovely little tor overlooking Burrator - Lowery Tor (2). On the current OS maps this tor does not have a name. Terry Bound is using the name which was shown in Crossing's book first published in 1912.

Back along the ridge to Sharpitor (3).....

...and across to Leather Tor (4)

Looking across to Down Tor and Combshead Tor and down to the forest.

Looking back up to Leather Tor....

...through the trees to the Devonport Leat.

...and along the leat to the aqueduct.

Following the leat for a while there appeared a pile of square cut granite blocks which I can only assume were brought here either to build or repair the leat and then not required.

Across to Crazy Well Pool originally dug out for mining purposes and subject to a variety of superstitions.

Then over to the Crazy Well Cross nearby marking an old monastic route.

Next back across the leat and up to Cramber Pool which is at the end of a long girt. This is much smaller than Crazy Well Pool and more secluded.

Down to Cramber Tor (5)...

...then Hart Tor (6) at the head of the old rifle range...

..and Black Tor (7).

Finally down and across the main road through a particularly heavy shower and up to Leedon Tor (8)

Thursday 29th December Chinkwell Tor

The weather forecast was wrong. It was meant to be blustery showers and sunny periods but, for this family walk, we actually got high winds almost continuous rain and no sun. So off we went from Top Tor car park along the ridge towards Chinkwell Tor