I don’t think I’ve needed a walk more than this one, sometimes you just need to get out and let your head breathe a bit and sort itself out. Bad weather, too much work and more bad weather, had left me caged and ready to go. I chose this walk and kept adding more spots to it, knowing that I would probably cut it short due to light. Well I actually made the planned route and even added on a tiny bit. This walk is a long way, a large part without a path and it was boggy. Very bloody boggy. The area around Redlake, Green Hill and the Erme was soggy. But that was not going to stop me. They talk about mental health being on the rise, well one in three of us has it, we are wired that way, we always have been. We are just better at spotting it now with some fantastic doctors. Dartmoor is my medicine, and there’s no better place than a wide open space and a tough walk for bringing back reality and giving you the confidence to move forward. I’m ready for Christmas now and I wish every reader the best for the festive period. And a happy prosperous New Year.
| Start – Shipley Bridge parking |
| Route – Shipley Bridge – Brentmoor House – Avon Dam and Reservoir – Western Wella Brook clapper – Huntingdon Cross – Huntingdon Warren – Broad Falls – Redlake – Green Hill – Black Rocks – Wollake Tor – River Erme – Stingers Hill – Quickbeam Hill – Knattabarrow – Old Hill Tor – Avon Water Treatment Works – Shipley parking |
| Distance – 9.5 miles Start time – 10.45am Time taken – 5hrs 45mins Highest Point – Green Hill 473metres |
| Weather – Dry, some sunshine, mainly cloud and a stiff breeze |
© Crown copyright 2018 Ordnance Survey FL 2018 SF
The waterfall at the start of the walk, this always gives an idea to the water levels in the rivers, which would be high
The site of Brentmoor House
Black Tor is now behind me
At Avon Dam and the sun is trying to peek through, plenty of water pouring over the top
After rounding Avon reservoir, I come to a boggy part around Huntingdon Cross. To my surprise there has been work done, channels cut and pipes inserted. And this new clapper bridge. Well done to those that have sorted this, a brilliant addition to the landscape.
Here it is, the Western Wella Brook clapper
Huntingdon Cross is a short distance away from the new bridge
Climbing up to Huntingdon Warren and I look back to Avon reservoir and the River Avon. Eastern White Barrow up on the right
Huntingdon Warren summit, with Pupers Hill right and Snowdon left
A bit of sunshine and Redlake, my next target
First to cross Broad falls, go far right above the falls for easier crossings and follow the valley heading up to the left
Redlake
It is a magical place here, come in winter when it is very cold and enjoy the silence
Green Hill summit, this is a bleak place, it will be boggy and tough to get here. But have a sit down and a brew, as I did, and enjoy it
Stalldown Barrow and Three Barrows have the high ground in the distance. It went very dark here for while, but never rained. I started my return journey by heading right from this photo, towards Black Rocks
The terrain from Broad falls to Old Hill Tor is pretty much this, if you are not a fan of tufty boggy grassy ground, then maybe give this one a miss
Broad Rocks with Langcombe Hill forming the backdrop
Now this is a treat, this is Wollake Tor, named after the nearby stream and not far from Black Rocks. That’s Three Barrows in the distance
After a bit of back and forth I crossed the Erme and climbed Stingers Hill then descended and climbed to this point on Quickbeam Hill. Now looking back at Erme pits and Erme head, with Stingers Hill to the left of that
It was looking very black overhead, but sunshine shone over Stalldown Barrow
This view always surprises me, that’s Plymouth Sound from Quickbeam Hill
That’s the Zeal tramway track to Redlake below and I’m heading for Knattabarrow. Quickbeam Hill to the right
Near to Knattabarrow and I spot a submarine. Or Eastern White Barrow!!
Knattabarrow. I can see my next target of Old Hill Tor on the hill to the right
Old Hill Tor with Brent Hill in the distance
The pimple is Eastern White Barrow, I’m heading down from Old Hill Tor to cross the Bala Brook
Crossed the Bala Brook now and I see the Avon water works in front of me, with Brent Hill beyond. Its a 10 minute walk to Shipley Bridge from here. Which is good as the light is fading rapidly. This will be one of my walks of the year. More for what it meant to me rather than the route, the views or the weather. The outdoors is good for the soul, keep it coming for 2019!
treksandtors 
Lovely to see the pictures. I remember when I started walking the Moor that the Redlake mound used to be glowing white before it vegetated. So stark on night walks with a full moon. Compliments of the season.
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Cheers John, And to you
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Too right, mountains are good for the soul and I’m finding more and more benefit in getting out whatever the weather. All the very best to you and yours in 2019
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