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 |
© Crown copyright 2019 Ordnance Survey FL 2019 SF
Pew Tor is my usual destination on this walk. Not today I head in the opposite direction to the Staple Tors
Its not far at all to Little Staple Tor, the views are immediate across to Peek Hill and Sharpitor
Middle Staple Tor is next up
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
Looking down the Walkham Valley
Silhouetted Great Staple Tor stacks
Tor formation and weathering at its best
Middle Staple on the right, Plymouth Sound beyond that and some lovely long distance views to the left
Looking north along the Walkham as is wriggles around the back of Great Mis Tor
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 love this view out the back of Roos Tor, proper Dartmoor wilderness
Roos Tor to North Hessary Tor and the mast
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
Great Mis Tor from Little Roos Tor, the River Walkham below
Dartmoor ponies and Brent Tor now starting to take centre stage
A cloud adds some drama and casts a lovely silhouette to proceedings.
Plenty of bracken as I make myself around the back of Cox Tor. White Tor is on the other side of the valley
The sky softens across to Bodmin Moor
I’m nearing Little Cox Tor now. The timing is good
Looking northwards to Hare Tor and Great Links Tor
Little Cox Tor and stretching away to South East Cornwall
West Devon and Cornwall from Little Cox Tor
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
Not quite gone for us yet though. Brent Tor is nicely placed for the sunset
The Tamar Bridge from Cox Tor
Plymouth Sound is easily seen from here as well
Cox Tor summit rocks, Brent Tor and that magnificent sunset
Amazing sight
Kit Hill on the left and Stowe’s Hill to the right
Cox Tor summit all the way to Plymouth Sound
Great Mis Tor above the trig, the ridge with the Staple Tors on it in front and North Hessary Tor further right
Still a wow in the other direction
Sinking sun
All but gone
Heading down in the dying light
Dying embers over Bodmin Moor
Short walk back to the car with North Hessary Tor and the mast(now lit up) to guide me. Always one of my favourite walks of the year this one. And this one didn’t disappoint
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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