A calm day on Dartmoor and a chance to get out. I originally wanted to go further north east, more around Moretonhampstead, but time didn’t allow so I opted for something nearer. Venford Reservoir is a favourite of mine and North Tor gives great plunging views down into the Dart valley. The reservoir was very low on water, which shows how little rain has fallen on Dartmoor over the summer (similar levels seen at Fernworthy and Burrator), so the minor flooding this week downstream around Exeter and parts of Devon are a surprise. Clearly something is wrong with our river management, when after the first heavy rainfall of the autumn we get floods, there should have been plenty of places for the water to go before it hits the towns downstream.
| Start – Venford parking |
| Route – Venford Reservoir – North Tor – Bench Tor – Venford parking |
| Distance – 2 1/2 miles Start time – 2.30pm Time taken – 1hr Highest Point – Bench Tor 313metres |
| Weather – Lots of sun, colder |
© Crown copyright 2016 Ordnance Survey FL 2016 SF
The dam at Venford, I’m heading into the trees at this side of the dam first
With the very low water line someone has taken advantage and done some rock balancing
Looking back to the dam
A calmer section of water provides some stunning reflections
It doesn’t take long to get round the good path, now to cross the dam and head left out onto the moor
Bench Tor and North Tor up on the right, Yar Tor and Corndon Tor distant left
The nearer to Bench Tor you get the better the view across the Dart valley, the iconic mountain shape of Sharp Tor begins to appear also
Looking east from North Tor
The river Dart and the Dart valley. North Hessary Tor and the mast in the far, far distance
A short distance to Bench Tor on the left and Venford Reservoir sparkling to the right
On Bench Tor now looking back over North Tor to Sharp Tor and the surrounding hills
The sea at Teignmouth captured with a bit of zoom
Rippon Tor stands highest with Haytor just visible to the left of it
Heading back to the car now and one last look back to Bench Tor and pointy Sharp Tor
treksandtors 