I’ve driven past this area quite a few times and always continued on towards Okehampton Camp or Meldon Reservoir, however this time I stopped and took in a walk. This area is kind of sandwiched in between, Great Links Tor and the many great tors around it, to the south, and Yes Tor and High Willhays to the east. As a result it is kind of neglected as a walking destination, this is a mistake, Sourton Tor is a brilliant place as is the area around the West Okement river. The route was a bit unorthodox, however it allowed me to get to 6 new summits in a nice loop around the Meldon Reservoir.
A signpost on the granite way, its a short walk along here from the village to my starting pointSourton Tor as I cross the cattle grid onto the moorWhilst searching for East Tor I saw about 4 or 5 of these deer, one fox and a massive buzzardThe lower part of East Tor just over the fence, a patchwork of West Devon fields beyondThe lower part of the tor below as I stand on the hedge line and look north westPlenty of blue sky as I walk past the upper parts of East Tor and onto Sourton TorFine views all the way past Brent Tor to Kit Hill from the top of Sourton TorGreat Links Tor peeping over the lower slopes of Branscombes LoafMeldon Reservoir (I’ll be round there later), with Yes Tor over to the rightA fair bit of zoom picks out Kit HillI was going to head up to Branscombe’s Loaf and then come down to Shelstone Tor but I felt the walk I ended up with was enough. I contoured around under Branscombe’s Loaf instead with Shelstone Tor dead aheadFantastic views along the West Okement from Shelstone Tor, Black Tor on the left with Black-a-tor Copse belowVellake Corner is down that way in the valley, I could have headed that way to cross the river, however I set out just upstream from the trees below Shelstone Tor and found an easy couple of rocks to hop acrossLooking back to Sourton Tor as I leave Shelstone TorZooming along the West Okement valley to Lints Tor at the far endPlenty of people up on Yes TorHaving crossed the river I’m here on Homerton Hill, looking back to Black Tor on the leftBranscombe’s Loaf on the left with Sourton Tor rightLongstone Hill, my next target is over on the right, to get there I head out of shot to the right and contour roundNow on Longstone Hill looking back to Branscombe’s Loaf to the left of the military flagpoleThe cairn on Longstone Hill with Yes Tor and West Mill Tor behindA few metres from the top of Longstone Hill you get a great view down to Meldon ViaductA sparkling Meldon Reservoir with Sourton Tor at the end, South Down, my next summit on the right, Homerton Hill on the leftThe dam at MeldonUp on South Down now, looking across the reservoir to Yes TorA walk along the West Devon Way brings you to the water works and it was a short walk back to the car from here. That’s Branscombe’s Loaf over there on the left and some lovely fluffy clouds above me
The usual high quality insight into the limitless beauty of Dartmoor. You should write a guide-book! 🙂
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Not sure about a book yet, happy to keep the website going for now. its only been 18 months that I’ve had it up. Lovely comments though, thank you
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