The boys are back in town, as the 3 of us undertake a walk around the western side of the moor. The reason for this area was to give my youngest a look at this side of the moor for his 10 tors yomp in the middle of May. Our last outing was at Christmas, due to my eldest having to work each Saturday, but this was a Sunday walk and worked nicely for us, especially as the sun shone. April had been wet for the first 2 weeks of the month, but the last two saw some sunny days between other wet ones, and our luck was in this day. The western side of the moor has glorious views to Cornwall, alongside some of the higher tors on the whole National Park. As Dartmoor formed itself and the plain of the moor tilted southwards due to Alpine earth movements, the south and eastern sides went down and north and west went mainly up, showed by the fact that High Willhays, Yes Tor, Corn Ridge, Great Links are all in the north western corner, plus only the Rivers Taw, East and West Okement drain northwards after a short course off the moor. Whereas the Tavy, Dart, Plym, Walkham, Erme and Yealm all head south, with 3 of these starting their journey in the centre of the north moor. This was an area my youngest had not been to and with a fair few of the 10 tors routes passing through here we went for a look. Leaving the busy car park behind the Dartmoor Inn (Lydford), we headed for Great Nodden and the Rattlebrook railway, this old railway track/path loops up towards Great Links Tor, providing an easy and fast walk up. We then walked over to Great Links and the high point of the walk, before traversing the high ground to Chat Tor and then Sharp Tor. Dropping down to Doe Tor was next, before crossing the brook of the same name, and then looking for a spot to cross the River Lyd which we did easily. A nice walk of nearly 8 miles, lots of laughs, moans (as normal from my eldest) and sunshine.
The car park behind the Dartmoor Inn, plenty of blue skies above and the vans belong to other ten tors groups out for practice walks.Ahead is Brat Tor (right) and Arms Tor (left), not on our itinerary today. We instead would cross a stile on our left a little further along and head towards Nodden Gate.The River Lyd with Great Nodden ahead, we were about 100 metres downhill from Nodden Gate at this point, the main path runs along towards Great Nodden and heads around it to the left hand side, it was the old Rattlebrook railway and ensures a solid steady climbing route.Lyd valley on the left and the Rattlebrook railway path to the rightLooking back to views over Cornwall as we climb Great NoddenOn top of Great Nodden with the Corn Ridge ahead, you can just see the Rattlebrook path curving around below, the path stops at the shadow, does a 180 degree turn and heads up to the right, the railway would also follow this route on its way to Bleak HouseGreat Nodden to Great Links TorAgain on the Rattlebrook path looking back to Great Nodden, Arms Tor to the leftCornwall spread out below us, the views this way are always very good when the sun shinesThe start of the River Lyd, I’m stood on Lydia Bridge taking this photo, looking down to Great NoddenGren Tor is next on the list just up from Lydia Tor, we had a lunch break hereGreat Links tor peaks around the corner, these rocks are part of Woodcock Tor which the main pile is off to the right here, there is only a small group of rocks in total here but they all count and need ticking off for the boys. Little Links Tor is the one sliding down the hill back right. We’ve found out my youngest’s Ten Tors route and it will include this part of the pathMy youngest heading for Great Links Tor, the high point of the walkTeam selfie by the trig on Great Links TorAnd the views without our ugly mugs in the wayHare Tor is the pointy one in the distance, we will contour round to the left from here towards that one, but not quite that far.Looking back to Great LinksStood by Chat Tor now, Hare Tor to the left, but our target is Sharp Tor on the rightAt the back of Sharp Tor now, Hare Tor isn’t too far away but we had already decided to drop down off the front of Sharp Tor towards Doe TorGlorious stacks of Sharp Tor and those views to Cornwall beyondOut the back of Sharp Tor is the bleak lands in the centre of the north moor. Fur Tor is the shaded hill/tor in the centre of the photoLooking down to White Hill from Sharp Tor as we start out towards Doe TorNow on Doe Tor, that’s Brat Tor to the rightLooking back up to Hare Tor right and Sharp Tor left, Hare Tor always looks more shapely from a distance but up close the stacks are better on Sharp TorThe boys on Doe TorOne last one of Doe Tor and then we head down Heading to the Doetor Brook Bridge firstOnce across the bridge you have the Rover Lyd to cross, you can head back to the main bridge which is at the top of the valley in this photo, or cross at the rocks over there (Black Rocks) or there is one other point to the left of this photoWe’d crossed at the last option which was a one stone jump across and then climbed up to this point to cross the down to the car. Behind us we have Brat Tor left, Doe Tor in the centre and Hare Tor rightAnd the final view, the Lyd valley on my left here and Cornwall again in the distance. Lovely to be out with the boys again, lovely sunshine and a lovely place to be.
treksandtors 
Probably my favourite corner of the Moor. Used to bivvy in the crack on top of Great Links and – in those days – rarely saw anyone.
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Its a lovely side, and has some of the best long distance views from any part of the moor
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A perfect family walk by the look of it
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It was lovely to out with the two rascals again
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Blimey – your boys are looking so grown up now. Reminds me how long I’ve been reading your blog!
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