Stalldown Barrow and twice across the Erme

An afternoon walk with the boys to pick off a couple of tors in the south part of Dartmoor that I hadn’t done. I had hoped of having a good look at the two stone rows here, Staldon and Burford, however the daylight was fading fast on a grey day and the River Erme was difficult to cross dry shod!! I’ve never attempted to cross this River before, certainly not this low down and its not easy. I probably should have waded back and forth with the boys in my arms, but we went for an adventure instead, hopping from rock to rock, traversing a small island and then leaping for the bank!! They loved it, I was just glad we were safe and sound!!

Start – Harford parking
Route – River Erme –  Stalldown Barrow –  Hillsons House – Tristis Rock –  River Erme – Harford parking
Distance –  4 miles    Start time – 1.30pm     Time taken –  2 1/2hrs  Highest Point – Stalldown Barrow 413metres
Weather – Grey and gloomy, going dark towards the end
© Crown copyright 2016 Ordnance Survey FL 2016 SF

© Crown copyright 2016 Ordnance Survey FL 2016 SF

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50 metres from the car and they are claiming they are tired already!!

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Tristis Rock on the other side of the valley. Penn Beacon is the hill in the distance

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Hanger Down Clump is the group of trees over there

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We are heading down towards the Erme at this point with Sharp Tor up on the right

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We crossed here as this was easily the best spot we found in 20 minutes of searching

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Looking back along the Erme valley with Tristis Rock on the hill on the right

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The boys at Hillsons House

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Three Barrows on the left and Sharp Tor to the right, from Stalldown Barrow

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The stones of the Staldon Stone Row can clearly be seen from Hillsons House, with Shell Top behind

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Plymouth Sound can be seen, even on this dull day, from up here

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Tristis Rock with Butterdon Hill beyond

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Looking the other way with Stalldown Barrow up on the left

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Apparently I was the slowest one to the top!!

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Great view back along the Erme to Sharp Tor on the right and Stalldown left

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With darkness setting in we hopped, leaped, crawled through trees and waded to this point, with a fab view across to a silhouetted Tristis Rock, a short walk back to the car from here

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