Lustleigh, Harton Chest and Sanduck Grove

/ 21/01/2024

So after a couple of weeks of drier weather, the murky thicker clouds returned to the South West of England. Not to worry however as Dartmoor has plenty of walks around its outskirts, allowing us to enjoy walking through woods, lanes and villages whilst picking off the odd tor and a Dartmoor 365 square or two. this would be Walk 45 of my second round but just square H19 on this one, although lots of others are nearby but I’d already done them. Now this walk has plenty of tors, some on my list (including a few on my second round) and others that aren’t, some myself and Linda have visited previously (here) and four that we hadn’t. We also both like the village of Lustleigh and especially like having a nosey around the houses! This walk was on the day of Storm Iris and as the day moved on the winds got stronger and walking through the woodland at the end was a little nervy as the trees were bending under the strengthening wind, especially around Higher Hisley Tor. We got back to the car safely and enjoyed the last of the Christmas cake, before heading home after another brilliant walk in this part of the world.

Start – Lustleigh parking

Route – Hammerslake Tor – Sharpitor – Harton Chest – The Lookout – Ravens Tor – Foxworthy Tor – Hunters Tor – Barnecourt – Sanduck Cross – Sanduck – Sanduck Grove Tor – Higher Combe – Lower Combe – Pathfields Northwest Tor – Pathfields Tor – Ide House Tor – Pethybridge – Higher Hisley Tor – Croft Tor – Lustleigh Cleave Waye Farm Tor – Lustleigh Cleave Higher Rocks – Lower Sharpitor – Lustleigh parking

Distance – 7 miles    Start time – 11.15am   Time taken – 4hrs 30mins  Highest Point – Foxworthy Tor 321 metres

Weather – Cloudy and windy, drizzle at the end

© Crown copyright 2024 Ordnance Survey FL 2024 SF
Starting point for the walk is some pull in areas on a small lane between Pethybridge and Hammerslake hamlets, I always park here for this ridge along to Hunters Tor, and rarely is it without a space
As you head up the hill on the signposted path you reach Hammerslake Tor first
Then higher up you see parts of Sharpitor (Lustleigh version)
One of the best window views on the whole moor, a great unveil as you reach the apex on the climb, Sharpitor rocks all around. Hound Tor is the obvious tor in view, even through the murky vista.
This area is full of bluebells in May. And the keen eyed will spot Harton Chest in the distance, sticking out above the trees
Hound Tor again in the centre and Black Hill to the left. The palette is mainly grey today
Harton Chest rock, the main outcrop, the main view involves heading left from that rock to another unveiling moment
A stunning view from Harton Chest. The boulder is always smaller than you remember. You can get 3 people on it maybe with care. Lustleigh Cleave spread out below you, Black Hill beyond.
After Harton Chest we followed the main path for a short section out of the trees then headed left down a track to here. The Lookout is a place that myself and Linda found on a walk back up from Horsham Steps, so we came here for a coffee and to enjoy the views again.
After The Lookout we headed off, back to the main path, first then dropping down again to find Raven’s Tor. This part is called East Ravens Tor on the Tors of Dartmoor website, for me we are getting close.
Plenty of megacrysts in East Ravens Tor
Now at Raven’s Tor and looking out towards Manaton
From Raven’s Tor to Black Hill
Climbing back up to the main path we found Foxworthy Tor
Foxworthy Tor again and views to Hound Tor again
Nearing Hunters Tor by the wall, plenty of cloud on the higher tors around Cosdon Beacon
Hunters Tor
Harley Davidson in Peck Farm as we headed down from Hunters Tor. Could do with some TLC
I’m assuming these are Shetland ponies as we walked past Barnecourt, they both came over to us as we stood by their gate
Sanduck Cross
And Sanduck Cross itself, needs a desperate haircut as it is getting swallowed
A bit of lane walking took us into Sanduck Grove and the tor of the same name, we had a sandwich in here and watched the trees wave around us above, as the wind started to build with the storm approaching
Sanduck Grove Tor
This is Higher Combe and some renovation going on
A sign that change is afoot (no not the possibility of an election this year), Snowdrops bringing hope of Spring
Now last year we photographed this exact garden with the same snowdrops in it (we were a week earlier last year)
Heading along the paths, passing tors not on my list, we reach Pathfields Northwest Tor
And then the unmistakable Pathfields Tor and the cut out orange segment!
After Pathfields we headed up and down and then mainly up to Ide House Tor, and then we headed up a bit further
To this view across the lower parts of Lustleigh and Wreyland. Knowle Wood on the right
Pethybridge houses
Lovely house in Pethybridge
As we walked up to Higher Hisley Tor, we spotted more signs of Spring in a Primrose
Higher Hisley Tor is over there, we first need to enter the wood to my right here, then squeeze past a fence post and up to this outcrop
Higher Hisley Tor
The wind was really moving the trees in here, so I quickly took the photos and moved us on. It was a second visit for me but there was no need to risk anything
This is Croft Tor, not too far from Higher Hisley however the wind was immediately better here. Still we needed to keep moving.
We kept to the higher path after Croft Tor, heading for Sharpitor
We walked past Lustleigh Cleave Waye Farm Tor first
And then Lustleigh Cleave Higher Rocks, both these last two tors are on the Tors of Dartmoor list, but not on mine
Sharpitor juts up above the trees ahead. We will head around the base of that tor, towards the car
Back at the car and time for the last of the Christmas cake and the remaining coffee. I always pick off the icing preferring the fruit cake part and the marzipan. Feel free to criticise my options!! The end of a fine walk, and done just before the worst of the wind hit with Storm Iris.

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13 thoughts on “Lustleigh, Harton Chest and Sanduck Grove”

    • Yes and seen some daffs as well, hearing that colder weather is on the way this week though. Hopefully we’ll get at least a week or two of it as it would be nice to see some more crisp clear conditions

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