Now we were back from our Lake District holiday, I was looking for a decent walk to take the boys out on. We, well I, decided on a trip to the Eastern side of Dartmoor and Shaptor Woods, for some tor bagging, woodland style. My eldest was in the middle of revising for and taking his GCSE exams, and I figured a few hours away from books would be good for him. My youngest was readying himself for his bronze DofE walk a couple of weeks after this, so I wanted to keep his fitness up. The walk isn’t too long but there are lots and lots of tors to scramble around on and they are huge in here. Shaptor Woods it a bit of a strange one, in that it is completely removed from the main bulk of Dartmoor and its tors, yet the size of the tors in here would dwarf nearly all of the tors on that main section. This may well be down to the Sticklepath fault line, running in a South East direction from Sticklepath (near Cosdon Hill) down towards Torbay, passing through Lustleigh Cleave and near to Shaptor Woods. Is this the cause of the huge tors in here? I’m sure there is a book or paper written on such things, but it surely must have had a bearing. Alongside the huge tors the other advantage is the tree cover, we had hit a bit of a heatwave towards the end of May, and a walk that takes in a nice woodland helps to provide a bit of cover. All in all another superb outing in this area, and for my boys a real boost to their number of tors they have summitted from my list. With the football season now finished for my eldest, it was lovely to get out with them both again for a walk, as our last outing together was February. It wouldn’t be that long before our next walk.
The parking spot at the top of John Canns Lane, the signpost right in front of me points downhill to the right along the laneJohn Canns Lane. Bearacleave Woods on the left and Shaptor Woods to the right and the many different copses that make up the whole wood.A short distance down John Canns Lane we took a right through the first gate to reach Stonelands Waste Tor and a first opportunity for my youngest to head off for a clamber around. As for my eldest I was asking him to explain his learning in Biology, Physics and HistoryBack along to John Canns Lane again and further down we took another right into Shaptor WoodsStonelands Tor is right by John Canns Lane and also near the gate on the picture aboveStonelands TorGreen coverage is getting thicker as we approached the end of MayMiddle Stronelands Tor is an easy bag as its right by the pathThis outcrop is one of many parts to Stonelands Stack, its a short distance away from Middle Stonelands, and about 30 40 metres from the path, I always get confused on where the ‘Stack’ is on this torNo mistaking this one though, even in the thicker undergrowth of spring, this huge mass wall of white rock can be seen away from the path. Rooks Hole TorSome of the ‘smaller’ outcrops of Rooks Hole Tor nearer to the pathBluebells in Shaptor Wood, not the best ones as the other plants had grown through most of themShaptor Wood main pathPixey Copse Tor is another that is easily found as the path passes through itPixey Copse TorAnd again, another huge tor with outcrops rising up on the left here and lots more below to the rightThe boys having a look at the lower parts of Sonny Copse Tor, another tor that heads up the hill for around 50 or 60 metresThe signpost on the main path, we were heading right to Shaptor Rock and then on to Higher Bowden, left is West Shaptor and paths towards Slade Cross and behind me is the path we have walked from John Canns Lane. Eyes were peeled for the Black bovine which had escaped. The bottom of Shaptor Rock, a truly enormous torOn the top and the boys enjoy the views to Eastern Dartmoor, towards HameldownNot sure I will ever get a sensible photo with these two againHeading out of Shaptor Wood and towards Higher Bowden and we see the remainder of the lost cow’s friends, with views down to Bovey Tracey beyondNow I’d walked this path with Linda back in Oct, last year (here) and it wasn’t quite as overgrown as this!Rock Copse Tor or the Michelin Man Tor!Just up from Rock Copse is Bowden Tor, with its overhangHere it is, another massive tor with bluebells all around this areaJust a short walk across the field, Bowden Tor is in the trees to the left and down here. The road back to the car is behind me and finished off a lovely walk with the boys
My eldest has finished his GCSE’s and has got a Saturday job now, it’ll change how we all get out to walk and how often. Its a bit of a mind shift to get used to it
treksandtors 
Nice quieter corner too – or used to be.
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We didn’t see another soul in the woods when we were there, as you say a very quiet corner
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When I see photos of your boys it makes me realize how old I’m getting and how long I’ve been following your walks as they both look so grown up now!
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My eldest has finished his GCSE’s and has got a Saturday job now, it’ll change how we all get out to walk and how often. Its a bit of a mind shift to get used to it
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