Back at home after a week in The Lakes and back on Dartmoor soil. Have to say since being back I’ve had the post holiday blues, not really wanting to do too much. The weather has been fine, the nights are drawing out and all is set for outside things. I set myself a simple Good Friday walk, not too far, somewhere I knew I wanted to go back to and in decent weather. This ticked the bill, the good part was the crowds weren’t out, despite only starting at midday. This is a good area for families, not too far from Dartmeet for refreshments or New Bridge for ice cream and it provides a good alternate to the crowded Haytor on bank holidays. I have to say spring is here in the south west of England, the gorse is out in flower, with the honey scent carried on the breeze, the skylarks are in full voice and I even saw a stoat near to Cave Penney memorial, although it was far too quick for my camera.
| Start – Bel Tor Corner parking |
| Route – Yar Tor – Corndon Tor – Cave Penney Memorial – Sharp Tor – Vag Hill Tor – Vag Hill – Bel Tor parking |
| Distance – 4 miles Start time – 12.15pm Time taken – 2 hrs Highest Point – Corndon Tor 431metres |
| Weather – High cloud, some sun |
© Crown copyright 2016 Ordnance Survey FL 2016 SF
As I start out up to Yar Tor I look across to Princetown, North Hessary Tor and the mast
Erm, I know I’ve come south from the Lakes but South America is a bit further than I planned
Yar Tor and its spiral summit shelter
Looking north from Yar Tor, the views are extensive from here
The dark brown tor in the centre is Bellever Tor, on the horizon from left to right is Beardown Tor, Lydford Tor, Longaford Tor and Higher White Tor
A plunging view down to the Dart valley with Ryders Hill on the other side, from Yar Tor
Heading towards the Corndon Tor cairns you get a great view north with plenty of gorse adding colour
Haytor and the surrounding tors from Corndon Tor cairns
Corndon Tor is on the left, I’m off there next, Yar Tor is on the right and you know I’ve just been there!!
Corndon Tor summit, Sharp Tor is dead ahead with Venford Reservoir peeping out from behind Sharp Tor’s summit
Cave Penney memorial, erected for a local man, 19 years old who died in World War 1
Its in a fantastic location
Probably the best shaped tor on Dartmoor, Sharp Tor
Sharp Tor summit and the views down and into the Dart valley, Venford Reservoir on the right
The other way is Yar Tor (left) and Corndon Tor (right)
The Haytor group are still in view from here
Heading down to Vag Hill I get a strong smell of gorse flower, Mel Tor up on the left and North Tor to the right. The farm is Rowbrook
Vag Hill Tor is below me here, the rocks in the dip/shelf. Combestone Tor is over the valley up to the right
Walking back to the car over Vag Hill I notice that there are plenty of people now on Sharp Tor
Car park below and Yar Tor left with Corndon Tor right. This walk has got me back into being out and about again. My next walk was planned on this walk. In an area I haven’t been to before
treksandtors 
Hope your feeling back on form. That looks a wonderful walk. People I know keep seeing stoats recently. Yet I have never seen one! The smell of gorse is lovely and how surprising to see the llamas. 🙂
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