Most walks in the area will provide you with a good chance of seeing human’s history on the moor. In this case it was going back as far as 5000 years ago and the settlements at Drizzlecombe, alongside the 19th century mining at Eylesbarrow and finally the 17th century rabbit warren house at Ditsworthy. There are plenty of tors in this area as well, particularly around the Plym Ford area, so it was 3 new tors for me as well today. Once off the main path past Eylesbarrow up to Nun’s Cross, you hit a area of peace and quiet and apart from a few cows and sheep you will rarely see anyone until you get to Drizzlecombe, it’s a lovely place.
| Start – Gutter Tor parking |
| Route – Eylesbarrow Tin Mine – Eylesbarrow – Plym Ford – Calveslake Tor – Little Gnats Head – Plym Steps – Lower Hartor Tor – Higher Hartor Tor – Drizzlecombe – Eastern Tor – Ditsworthy Warren House – Gutter Tor – Gutter Tor parking |
| Distance – 6 miles Start time – 2.30pm Time taken – 3 hrs 15mins Highest Point – Eylesbarrow 450m |
| Weather – Lots of cloud, some sun and one heavy shower |
© Crown copyright 2016 Ordnance Survey FL 2016 SF
Starting out with sun shining on Down Tor with the Princetown mast behind
Looking back to the car park on the left by the trees, with Sheeps Tor up on the right
Peek Hill and Leather Tor far left with Combshead Tor nearest to the camera as I climb up to Eylesbarrow
The wheel house at Eylesbarrow Tin Mine, Sheeps Tor far right
Some of the walls and buildings of the tin mine
Eylesbarrow summit, looking north
And the summit cairn, with a rain storm passing over Hen Tor and Shell Top in the distance
Dartmoor ponies!
Wheal Katherine, the other part of the tin mine complex, with the Plym valley and Calverslake Tor in shot
Crossing Plym Ford, fairly easy after a dry spell
On Calverslake Tor looking across to Eylesbarrow
Plym valley and the River Plym left with Lower Hartor and Higher Hartor on the other side
First to Little Gnats Head and a view to Eylesbarrow with Calverslake Tor the rocks which are down on the right
Lower Hartor Tor is next up, across there
Great views down the Plym Valley from Little Gnats Head
The River Plym at Plym Steps, not so much a set of steps more a crossing point
On Lower Hartor Tor looking to the source of the Plym at Plym Head, Calverslake Tor on the right of picture
Another view along the Plym valley
On Higher Hartor Tor now and looking to Sheeps Tor on the left and Peek Hill right
Lower Hartor Tor can just be seen down the hill, Plym Steps is on the right edge of this picture in the valley
The sun comes out as I make my way down to Drizzlecombe
There are many large cairns here at Drizzlecombe, including the Giants basin and one double stone row and a longer single one with two large menhirs at each end
This menhir is the largest standing stone on Dartmoor at 4.5metres tall
Looking back along the stone row from the menhir at the other end, this one is over 2m tall
On Eastern Tor now, with Gutter Tor on the left and the scout hut in the trees on the right. Sheeps Tor , Leather Tor and Peek Hill inbetween
Ditsworthy Warren House is in the trees below Eastern Tor. The Trowlesworthy Tors in the distance
Dog kennels in the walls at Ditsworthy Warren House
On the final tor, Gutter Tor, looking westwards
Eylesbarrow high above the trees around the scout hut
Looking back to Ditsworthy from Gutter Tor, Hen Tor on the hill behind the warren house
A bulky looking Sheeps Tor
A field of buttercups to finish with Sheepstor church and Sheeps Tor in view
treksandtors 
So much interesting stuff on Dartmoor, I really need to get down here and dod some serious walking and exploration
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dartmoor never fails to surprise me, the walking can be as hard or easy as you want. Plus there are places such as Tavy Cleave which is as good as anywhere in this country
LikeLike