We are nearing the end of June for this walk and the recent weather had been changeable. As I sit here in baking hot sunshine with sweat dripping from very pore, it seems strange that a few weeks ago we were wondering whether summer had been and gone in a blink. Plenty of heavy showers covered June, interspersed with sunny spells and quite a bit of wind. Not that it was cold, far from it, the south westerly brought warmth, its just that it brought weather systems. As a result Dartmoor was still pretty damp in places. Today the forecast was for brightening weather as the front cleared through Devon in the morning. I timed things pretty well as the rain stopped as I parked and the clouds rose and cleared as I walked, the aim being to get to Huntingdon Warren and then down to Keble Martin’s Chapel and then find a way back to the car. I’d never entered the moor from Lud Gate, so that would be fixed today, before heading up to Pupers Hill (like buses this one has come along twice so far this year now). I then thought that Snowdon and Ryders Hill would be good before turning back to Huntindown Warren. This walk could easily be extended here by going down to Redlake and then Huntingdon Warren, or by tagging on a longer section at the end, towards Shipley Tor. What I will say is that the section between Snowdon and Ryders Hill is grotty, just a soft boggy section that never seems to change, regardless of the weather. However for today this route was perfect, however as you see below I wish that maybe an extended section would have been added to miss what I saw near the end!! My eyes, my eyes!!
As you can see it has been raining, but there’s brightness up on the moor, Snowdon is the dark looking hill in the distance, on the route todayOne of the boundary marker stones in the area, think the A is for Ashburton. I’m heading left at the junction towards Lud GateDark skies, but the sun is starting to break through, Snowdon again in the distanceLots of foxgloves on route up here, as I head to Lud GateLud Gate, literallyLud Gate is in the trees on the right with South Hams getting a drenching beyond, I seemed to miss all of the rain after leaving the car.This is whats heading towards me, sunshine in spells as I walk up to Pupers HillPupers Hill, looking down to Grippers Hill, I’ll be there laterPupers Hill, with Snowdon up on the left and Hameldown over on the right with Chinkwell and Honeybag torsSame view as the last photo just from Snowdon now, unfortunately this Snowdon isn’t as spectacular as the Welsh one, the advantage however is the lack of queuing to see the summitA dark brooding view to Redlake from Snowdon backed by Langcombe HillSnowdon to South HamsThe section between Snowdon and Ryders Hill is moderately moist. Dartmoor in June, by the time I got to Huntingdon I had damp socks and feet.I’ve had a search on the internet without any luck, as to what this is. I’m guessing it is part of the re wetting of Dartmoor, not that the section around Ryders Hill needs it. However behind me is a slight dip leading to the River Mardle, so maybe it is to slow the water heading that way.Ryders Hill trig point. Some say this is the high point of the south moor, however what is the south moor, surely its a line drawn along the B3212? In which case North Hessary Tor is higher. If its not that line where are they drawing it, as there isn’t another obvious natural boundary line running across the moor?Petre stone, boundary stone and Ryders Hill trig. Snowdon on the left and Eastern White Barrow back right, with a small bump on topLooking east towards Hameldown, Haytor and Rippon TorThe walk to Huntingdon Warren, a bit boggy with lovely views all aroundRedlake is lit up by the sun nowOn Huntingdon Warren now with a view to Avon Reservoir, Grippers Hill on the leftHuntingdon Warren, Snowdon left and Pupers Hill right. More blue skies and white fluffy clouds now.Huntingdon Warren, and the farm area. I’m heading down and left here and then handrailing that wall running left to right down the valleyKeble Martin Chapel. Eastern White Barrow at the backAnd the cross on a single stoneKeble Martin with the tree from three photos above, Huntingdon WarrenHad to have a bit of a look on the internet to see what this was. Its a Wheal house from Huntingdon Mine, again Eastern White Barrow back left. The Western Wella Brook is on my right here and I’m heading for the River Avon at the bottomHuntingdon Cross is reached first as I hit the River AvonThe Western Wella Brook Clapper (circa 2016) and the valley leading to Avon Reservoir, I’m heading that way nextAnd looking back, Huntingdon Warren on the right just catching some sunlightAvon reservoirClimbing up Grippers Hill and looking out along the Avon valley. Ugborough Beacon is far back rightA top of Grippers Hill which gives this glorious view east towards Hameldown, Chinkwell Tor and Rippon Tor. In fact there isn’t a better view of these tors than from this place. Just glorious. The white fluffy clouds above add to it.Water Oak Corner and that view again behindNow I’m all for liberal things, however when they are swinging in the breeze, walking towards me I’m at a loss. Yep they are completely naked (zoom in if you doubt me), apart from a rucksack, socks and boots. 4 of ’em and a dog, which I was grateful for as I could just stare at the dog and walk past. My name for them, racksacks, buttcracks and ball sacks walking group. Copyright is mine!!Thankfully as I rounded Water Oak, normality resumed. Greenery and the view to Hameldown againThe route off Water Oak. Teignmouth in the distance and the seaThe path down from Water Oak leads to Dean Burn Clapper and the path opposite leads up to Cross Furzes and my carBetter view than the first few photos, sunshine now although Snowdon looks dark at this point. Another great walk and an area that I like giving good access to this part of the moor, rather than paying for parking at Shipley Bridge
Probably marks me out as a grumpy intolerant old git. But I think that’s not only dumb but rather selfish, thinking it’s fine to inflict your flabby nakedness on others. Good walk apart from that view!
Had no idea where to look, forgot to add in the post that it was pretty hot by that point, and all I could say to them was I hope they had applied some suncream!!
treksandtors 
Another quiet corner of the Moor. I remember Keble Martin dying and his links to Newton Abbot as well. His British Flora is a classic.
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I admit I had to zoom in. Haha! That must have been your most memorable walking encounter ever. 😚
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The worst part was I was walking straight at them and couldn’t go either way as gorse blocked the sides, I just had to look at the dog and walk past
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Dogs do come in useful on occasion. 😃
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Probably marks me out as a grumpy intolerant old git. But I think that’s not only dumb but rather selfish, thinking it’s fine to inflict your flabby nakedness on others. Good walk apart from that view!
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Had no idea where to look, forgot to add in the post that it was pretty hot by that point, and all I could say to them was I hope they had applied some suncream!!
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Well, that was an interesting walk!
Thought it was a long route when you mentioned Snowdon. Either that or good eyesight 😂
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Think I saw more than I needed to!! Doubt you’d get that on the welsh Snowdon!!
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