Since we had got back from Snowdonia we’d been on a run of Dartmoor walks, not for any reason, it was just the way it fell. This time we headed east for my birthday walk, and a walk from the village of Haytor Vale (it has a pub so we parked there!), this was walk number 34 of round 2 on the Dartmoor 365 squares, taking in K17, K18, K19, L18 and L19. This walk started by heading up to Black Hill first, before heading down to Leighon to pick off lots of little tors in the woods and fields. We then walked up to the popular spot of Hound Tor, with plenty of people around, we found a spot to sit in amongst the rocks for a brew and a sandwich. The walk back involves a steep climb up from Becka Brook and its clapper bridge to Smallacombe Rocks before we walked across to the Haytor Tramway (or Templer Way) and then to Haytor quarry. We figured that one busy tor was enough for the day, so we left Haytor for another time and headed down to the Rock Inn in the village for a pint. This walk nicely mixes some lengthy sections of moorland, some lanes, fields and some wooded parts with rocks in. Even with all that the highlight of the walk has to be the little field mouse that we saw near Greator Rocks, very cute, before it darted off into some longer grass and gorse. A real treat to see one so close and goes up there with the shrew we saw walking to Porthcurno in the summer (here).
Haytor Vale, the pub is on the left and we have bagged a parking spot to the right, we are heading out of the photo to the left here along the laneLooking south over South Hams as we head to Haytor DownWe hit the gorse on the lower parts of Haytor Down and look across to Welstor and Buckland BeaconOwlacombe Common Rocks and the boundary stones. That is Bovey Tracey down below usThe boundary stones run up the hill ahead of us, we will follow them up that way to Black HillLooking down into Lustleigh from another boundary stone, we had passed the Prince of Wales one by this pointBlack Hill and the outcrop at the summit, there is a cairn at the end of this hill looking down over Trendlebere Down, but we didn’t head that way this time, instead we enjoyed the views from here to Haytor itself over there with Rippon Tor behind still with its head in the cloudsFrom Black Hill outcrop looking down towards Leighon. In the distance is Easdon Tor and Hayne DownHameldown back right with Chinkwell Tor and Honeybag Tor in the middleHeading on down towards Leighon we pass this outcrop, Lower Leighon Tor with Hayne Down cloaked in brown bracken in the centre, Hameldown back left and Easdon Tor to the right behindThe signpost as you near Leighon Bridge, we are heading behind us nextHound Tor is above us as we head to LeighonLeighon Bridge, covered in greeneryAs it says on the sign, the honesty box is now a garage. I went in and it had milk, eggs and veg in thereWe headed out from the hamlet of Leighon, through some woods and out across a field to Long Heales Tor. There are a few rocks hidden under trees hereFrom the field, Long Heales Tor is down there to the right in the trees. Black Hill towering up to the leftAs I mentioned at the top, this walk passes quite a few tors in trees/woods. This is Lower Nap Tor and this one is right by the road but in a private field. Its mainly a batch of large boulders.We’d left the lane and headed through a gate to see this broken down barn……and also the lower parts of Plat Tor, there is more in the trees if you head up past these rocksWe returned to the road and then left along a footpath into more trees. These held some fine sheep, which we think are Hebridean, but we aren’t sure. Either way they didn’t turn their gaze away from us as we wandered through hereProbably the finest named tor on the moor is in the trees with the sheep, this is Yonder Piphole TorAnd more of Yonder Piphole. We next returned the way we came in, and followed the track through the bracken up towards Hound Tor (Manaton)Gorgeous views as we emerge from the trees. Leighon is in the dip in front with Bullaton Rock area behindGreator Rocks, we will be over there shortlyWe’d found a nice nook in the rocks to sit in and enjoy a coffee, alongside taking this lovely selfie with Hound Tor behind usLooking down to the car park near to Hound Tor. Linda had commented before reaching here that there must be a car park nearby due to the number of people.Compared to the previous photo this looks to be a bit of a jumble of rocks, but it is still Hound Tor, just a different outcropWe’d done an out and back to Hound Tor, so here we are heading back towards Greator Rocks, Haytor dominates the horizon. Field mouse/ House mouse or even Fingermouse for those old enough to remember that. I think its a Field Mouse due to its size, two tone long tail and smaller ears. This was a real treat to see one so close, eventually the mouse headed off leaping along the grassy path into gorse.We headed down hill from Greator Rocks to Becka Brook and its clapper bridgeAfter a long slog uphill we reached Smallacombe Rocks and looked across to Holwell Tor and its quarry dug into its sideHolwell Tor is ahead here in the centre of photo, the eye is drawn along the line of the old Haytor Tramway which took granite from Holwell Tor down to Teignmouth to be shipped to London. This was called the Templar WayWe decide to avoid Haytor itself, but it dominates this area, this is part of Haytor with a person for scaleThe previous photo was taken from the back of Haytor quarry, here we get a better look into it. This is arguably the one quarry on Dartmoor which has been overtaken by nature, hopefully the rest will catch up.As we leave Haytor quarry we look down towards Haytor Vale with the area around Newton Abbot and Teighmouth beyondAnd to finish a final photo as we walk into Haytor Vale, a pint in the pub was consumed at the end of a gorgeous walk. And another place that I wanted Linda to see, luckily we have lots left as she is is just over half way way through my 500 tors now.
treksandtors 
The light has a certain clarity to it in these photos even though it’s an overcast day. And another extraordinary name to add to the list!
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Lovely walk with great views.
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Haytor and Hound Tor are both hugely impressive, but Yonder Piphole Tor has the best name. Loving the field mouse!
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