My Dartmoor Walks: Combestone Tor

Showing posts with label Combestone Tor. Show all posts

Wednesday Morning 26th June Combestone Tor

A duller morning today but very warm and humid

We set off downhill from Combestone Tor..

...taking the track down to Combestone farm.

Following the footpath east above the River Dart valley - ahead of us on the other side of the river is Mel Tor where we were yesterday.

On towards Bench Tor but first...

...we have to go over the dam at Venford reservoir...

...which given all the rain we have had this year seemed to be surprisingly low.

Then up to Bench Tor...

...with fine views over the River Dart

Back towards the far end of the reservoir and over this unusual section of a leat.

Just a bit up and down around the reservoir.

Then over the open moor looking for a stone row, which doesn't appear to be there, before arriving at Horn's Cross and a short walk down to the cars.

A good lunch in the Forest Inn at Hexworthy. With Ian

Tuesday 27th November Combestone Tor

A cool dull day as we set off downhill from Combestone Tor towards Combestone Farm past this renovated dry stone wall.

Then taking the green lane out and back on to the moor...

...which, of course was very wet...

...on in to the woods to the track built above the water pipe from Venford Reservoir.

Lucky Tor and the River Dart below...

...and Bench Tor ahead.

First over the dam at Venford Resevoir with this rather complicated overflow contraption.

Up to Bench Tor

Sunshine over the sea to the south but not on Dartmoor.

With fine view over the River Dart Valley and Mel Tor on the other side.

Back to the Reservoir and up the other side to Holne Moor.

Up and up towards Holne Ridge before turning north and back to Combestone Tor.

Past Horn's Cross.

Then on to the Church Inn which has a new and very friendly landlord. The food was excellent.

With Chris, Roger, Charlie, Rosemary and Terry.

Friday 2nd March - Lucky Tor

A murky misty day with the sun struggling to break through. Very warm and humid out of the wind and it felt like a spring day. Parked on Yartor Down just up from Dartmeet.

Downhill a little to find the 'Coffin Stone' - a convenient resting place to rest the coffin on this steep climb up. In the Middle Ages a coffin was always carried on mens's shoulders. More information here http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/coffin_stone.htm

Next across and up to Yar Tor (62) - a really good place to get an excellent view of the moor but not today.

The small hamlets of Sherwell and Babney in the distance.

From here down to the road and the kistvaen - this one is also know as the Money Pit - for more about the legend go here http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/money_pit.htm

Just across the road from this is the memorial to Lieutenant Evelyn Penney who died on active service in Palestine in 1918 aged 19.

From here to Sharp Tor (63) - easy to understand why this one got its name. Sharp Tor is the most popular name for tors on Dartmoor - there are 10 in total.

The view south west down the Dart valley from Sharp Tor...

...back to Yar Tor...

...Combestone Tor on the other side of the valley

Next due south but going around the enclosed land to find Lucky Tor.

Down the steep valley across this little stream...

Eventually Lucky Tor (64) came into view - heavily camouflaged in trees. There doesn't seem much to it from here...

...but it goes back a long way and stands high up above the river - which I couldn't see but could hear clearly.

If you want complete solitude with just the sound of running water then there can be no better place than this.

Now it was time to climb out of the valley and if it felt steep going down then it most certainly was going back up! Over Yartor Down to return to the car.

A short drive to the other side of the river through Hexworthy to Combestone Tor (65). This has got to be the easiest tor to get to - there is a car park right next to it!