This wasn’t supposed to be the walk today, I had grand plans of driving into Cornwall and heading up to the highest point of that county, Brown Willy (stop laughing, it is called that). We had walked up High Willhays the last time out, and it would have been a nice symmetry to scale Brown Willy as well. However Monday morning came and I sat, the boys played with their Lego or on their phones and I couldn’t be bothered to move. The weather was forecast to get wetter as the day went on, and by lunchtime I’d canned the idea of Cornwall and instead headed off to a well walked area, to head down a road I’d never trod before. The walk started out ok, but on reaching the part where we should join a grassy path through walls and around a farm, we hit cows and their calves. I took the safe route, over a gate we shouldn’t have crossed, but then again I figured the farmer put the cows there and I wasn’t going to disturb them. After a bit of faffing we got on the right path and headed the right way to Gypsy Rock. Now this one isn’t a highlight on my list, infact if there were only two tors on my list then this one would be third. its that bad. Just bag it and move on. the walk along the railway path was superb and you have fine views over to Pew Tor and beyond. However the rain was definitely coming and we shortened the walk to Ingra Tor and instead just scaled Leeden Tor and back to the car. A minute after leaving the car park the heavens opened, heavily as well. Good timing and a nice little walk which could very easily be lengthened.
| Start – Sharpitor parking |
| Route – Gypsy Rock – Plymouth to Princetown railway – Leeden Tor – Sharpitor parking |
| Distance – 3 miles Start time – 2pm Time taken – 2hrs Highest Point – Leeden Tor 390metres |
| Weather – Grey skies, humid |
© Crown copyright 2019 Ordnance Survey FL 2019 SF
Starting out and the tors around Cox Tor are visible
Cox Tor, the Staple Tors and Great Mis Tor in view as we walk towards Gypsy Rock
Walkhampton Church in prominent, Horrabridge behind the church
Peek Hill in the distance as we look back along the grassy lane, we have circumnavigated the bovine fiends and are now on track for Gypsy Rock
Some pretty grim clouds ahead as we head for Gypsy Rock
I have the feeling that this wasn’t worth the meagre effort. Still its a tick on the list and one I can easily add to longer walks in the future
At this time of year Gypsy Rock is deep, deep, deep undercover on the left here
You can see Walkhampton Church from here though. There is a gate left of this view which gives a fine outlook of this vista.
Along the road further the tors around Pew Tor come into view
We’ve left the road now having crossed the cattle grid, and we are climbing the short distance to the railway track path. That’s Kit Hill in the distance
On the railway path now, Great Mis Tor is dead ahead
Looking back to Kit Hill and the clouds seem to be gathering
I haven’t a clue what they are doing here, dancing maybe!! We are supposed to be heading to Leeden Tor which is above the track in the distance. Ingra Tor is off to the left
Climbing through the bracken with Ingra Tor being the nearest tor. Cox Tor and the Staple Tors behind
The wiggly railway path
Leeden Tor with South Hessary Tor away to the right. The Princetown mast is left of the Leeden Tor rocks, I have good intel that the Dartmoor distillery is being built in Princetown and the diggers are onsite. Dartmoor whisky is a step nearer.
Erm it doesn’t look good over there. Which is the way we are going. The boys have smelt the rain and are heading towards the car already!! That’s Sharpitor and Leather Tor over there
Cornwall and Kit Hill are getting a soaking now as well
I’ve followed the boys and I’m looking back at Leeden Tor, with North Hessary Tor to the right with the mast. Great Mis Tor is peeking up to the left of Leeden Tor
The car is down there and I get this photo of the boys with Shapitor and Leather behind them. Our next walk will be in the Lake District as we are away in August. Can’t wait.
treksandtors 
Dark clouds all around, makes for some atmospheric photos, especially when you win the race back to the car!
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We got lucky, 10 minutes after the last photo of the boys the rain was bouncing down. Queue mini fist pump!!
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Yeah – Brown Willy always makes me laugh too.
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