The first proper long walk this year, with the clocks going back, daylight is longer and the weather is getting more favourable. I have neglected the north eastern corner of Dartmoor, particularly around Belstone so this was a walk to put it right. I took in 9 new tops, plus a couple of stone circles for good measure. The walk back through Belstone Cleave was nice, although the last couple of miles along the road were tough on already tired legs! Cosdon Hill was a real highlight of this walk, the views from the top are unbelievable in every direction. I’ll be back soon for sure.
| Start – South Zeal |
| Route – Cosdon Hill – Little Hound Tor – Whit Moor Stone Circle – Hound Tor – Wild Tor – Steeperton Tor – Oke Tor – Knattaborough Tor – Winter Tor – Lower Tor – Higher Tor –Irishmans Wall – Belstone Tor – Belstone Common Tor – Tors End Tor – Nine Maidens – Watchet Hill – Belstone Cleave – Sticklepath – Finch’s Foundry – South Zeal |
| Distance – 12 miles Start time – 10.45am Time taken – 6 1/4hrs Highest Point – Cosdon Hill 550 metres |
| Weather – Sunny, bright, cool breeze. Lovely! |
© Crown copyright 2014 Ordnance Survey FL 2014 SF
Stunning views looking back down to South Zeal at the start of the walk
You can see the north coast of Devon from up here, especially on a day like this
First views across to Belstone Tor as I climb Cosdon Hill
Cosdon Hill summit and a jaw dropping view south
Yes Tor above the cairn on Cosdon Hill
Zooming in on Haytor from Cosdon Hill
Hangingstone Hill the high point at the back, with Hound Tor in the sun in the mid distance
The path to Little Hound Tor
Looking back to Cosdon Hill
Whit Moor Stone Circle with Yes Tor and High Willhays behind, Steeperton Tor to the left
On Hound Tor now looking back to Cosdon Hill
Higher Tor and Belstone Tor on the right with the sun catching West Mill Tor
The path to Wild Tor, Fernworthy Forest on the left
Fantastic views to Cosdon Hill right and Belstone Tor on the left, Taw Marsh is the valley in between
Wild Tor summit stacks with Hangingstone Hill in the distance
Steeperton Tor is the next target
What a view!!
I’ve seen a fair bit on the moors but red horned devil sheep were new on me!!!
Steeperton Tor summit
High Willhays and Yes Tor still in view
Military hut and flagpole on Steeperton Tor
Taw Marsh below, I’m walking the ridge on the left next
Hangingstone Hill above the summit of Steeperton Tor, Steeperton gorge on the right
On Oke Tor now looking along the ridge to Belstone and Higher Tors, Taw Marsh down on the right
Oke Tor summit looking back across to Steeperton Tor
Cosdon Hill over on the right across Taw Marsh, the river Taw can be seen wriggling through the marshy area
On Knattaborough Tor looking back to Oke Tor
Great views from Winter Tor to East Mill Tor with Yes Tor top right
Distant views to North Devon from Winter Tor
Lower Tor on the right with Higher Tor behind, heading to both of these now
Not much distance between Higher Tor (where I’m stood) and Belstone Tor (over there)!!
Standing on Higher Tor with Lower Tor below and East Mill Tor behind and Yes Tor top right again!
Looking back to Steeperton Tor, Oke Tor and Wild Tor
With a bit of zoom this time on Steeperton Tor
Green fields of Belstone farm with Yes Tor and West Mill Tor behind, taken from Irishmans Wall
On Belstone Tor looking back to Higher Tor
Breathtaking views
Belstone Common Tor is next, a short walk away
In reverse, looking back up to Belstone Tor
That’s Tors End Tor down there which is as it says, the end of the tors!!
Just past Tors End Tor lies Nine Maidens with Yes Tor again in short on the right, the pointy bump on the side of the sloping hill is Winter Tor, where I was around 30 minutes ago
Despite the Okehampton range starting around Knattaborough Tor, there is a flagpole on Watchet Hill to warn walkers coming up from Belstone of the firing times
Even though the height has dropped somewhat down from Belstone Tor there is still a good view north
Belstone Cleave below with Belstone Tor above as I make my way along the path towards Sticklepath village
Its a fair walk back from Belstone to South Zeal, but there’s a couple of nice pubs and this pretty church in the village to finish off a lovely day on Dartmoor
treksandtors 