I’d missed out on the bluebells of Holwell Lawn this year. so I’d vowed that I’d would do my best to get here for my yearly sunset. The weather played ball and gave me a few options to decide between. As normal I had tea and headed out for any of the car parks below Cox Tor. Now normally on this walk I would head south for Pew Tor, but this time I went north for the Staple Tors and looped around the back of Cox Tor before ascending to the top for the sunset. This is a good amble in itself, but when you add on the best sunset in Devon, as the sun sinks by Brent Tor, then this is the place to be.
Start – Merrivale parking |
Route – Little Staple Tor – Middle Staple Tor – Great Staple Tor – Roos Tor – Little Roos Tor – Little Cox Tor – Cox Tor – Merrivale parking |
Distance – 4 miles Start time – 7.15pm Time taken – 2hrs 15min Highest Point – Great Staple Tor 455 metres |
Weather – Sunsets and blue skies |

Pew Tor is my usual destination on this walk. Not today I head in the opposite direction to the Staple Tors

These tors have some fantastic rock formations and plenty of outcrops, some of the best on the moor. Here looking to Great Staple Tor from Middle

Middle Staple on the right, Plymouth Sound beyond that and some lovely long distance views to the left

Brent Tor is the small dimple in the distance below the sun. I’m on Roos Tor now and aware I have about an hour to get around Cox Tor (the slope coming down on the left) to see the sunset.

I’ve dropped down now to Little Roos Tor which is further down the hill than I always think it is. Merrivale is the hamlet in the valley which is also where the road is. Kings Tor rises above Merrivale

Plenty of bracken as I make myself around the back of Cox Tor. White Tor is on the other side of the valley

After a steep pull up to Cox Tor I attach the zoom lens as I get my breath back. Vixen Tor catches the last of the sun down to the south
Yes, I remember the sunsets from that side of the Moor. Grand place.
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Superb sunset! Great walk that one, my first on Dartmoor after your recommendation. We caught a setting sun but it was chilly at the end of November.
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If you get the chance then go around the solstice and with any luck you will get one like this
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