So our second evening walk this year and another really good sunset. This wasn’t the normal walk for our sunset, as we normally head out to Pew Tor/Pork Hill/Cox Tor area to catch the sun setting beside Brent Tor. This walk however would be number 57 of my Round 2, but only one square this time with P6 being picked up. With the average summer we’d been having we weren’t able to get out around the solstice, and it was mid July before we were able to match up a free evening with some blue skies. Even with that it was hardly a hot day and the walk was undertaken in very cool conditions, needing a fleece and some of the sunset to be watched from in the car!! The walk is a very simple one, hardly any distance but it packs a punch with 5 tors in a short space. It also gives some of the best views on the moor for hardly any effort, including the best view of Burrator reservoir and long distance views to Cornwall. You can start this walk from any of the parking spots along the B3212, the one by the pool is a good option but there are two before you get to that (if you are coming from the Plymouth direction). We first headed up to Sharpitor, which when I look back, had been a ridiculous 6 years since my last visit. Next is the shapely looking Leather Tor, which always stands out when walking in this area. I next visited the Lower version of Leather Tor in order to tick it off on my second round, the views to Burrator seem to get better here if anything. We then contoured round to Lowery Tor, but didn’t linger too long as we’d lost the sun, with Peek Hill above us casting its shadow. So we headed up to Peek Hill to warm up again with the sunshine, and a brew up courtesy of my Coleman. All that was left was to watch the sinking sun as we walked down to the car. The sunset didn’t disappoint and was one of the best I’ve seen up there.
Fantastic views to Cornwall right from the off, Cox Tor is over there on the right, we’d normally be doing the sunset walk over in that area, but not today Sharpitor deserves a go this time.Dartmoor pony, more interested in the grass than the viewCox Tor is middle left here, with the Staple Tors next to that, peeking up over the near hill is Great Mis TorFurther around to the right now and the mast on North Hessary Tor is bang in the centre. The B3212 can be seen snaking its way on the right of photo towards Princetown.Sharpitor and views to South Dartmoor and Lee MoorThe pool down there is the other parking spot that can be used, down to the right is another parking spot but that one is more normally used for Leeden Tor, but could be used for this walk if needed. The backdrop is Cox Tor/Staple Tors/Great Mis Tor againPeek Hill is over there as we get our first view to Burrator belowPew Tor infront of Brent Tor, two places that normally feature heavily on a sunset walk. Not this time thoughSharpitor piles. Spent a bit of time up here to make up for previous omissionsNext up is down there to Leather TorLinda enjoying the views, notice the fleece which shows that it was hardly warm and typical of our poor summer temperaturesZooming in to Plymouth SoundLeather Tor summit and Lee Moor behind, Sheeps Tor to the rightBurrator Reservoir from Leather TorNow down on Lower Leather Tor with Sheeps Tor to the left, and mirror finish on the reservoir giving some nice reflections for those walking down thereLooking back up to Leather Tor and the mast in the distanceNow over on Lowery Tor, in the cool shade of Peek Hill. Looking back to a sunny Leather Tor, with Lower Leather Tor to the right and belowSuperb view again to Burrator from down here, Plymouth Sound in the distanceSmiles as we warm up a bit with a fresh brew and sunshineSun from Peek Hill, almost sunset timeStarting to golden nicely looking across to SharpitorOne last look down to Burrator before we head to the car.Bit of cloud provides a bit of drama to the sunset, Brent Tor can be seen sticking up to the rightBodmin Moor and the tors around Minions can be seen to the southwestSilhouetted Cox Tor, Staple Tors and Great Links Tor at the back rightGetting arty with a tree and the sunsetSunset starting to show its coloursThe gorgeous Brent TorSunsetNearly goneDying embersAll that is left is the orange/red glow. At this point I was in and out of the car taking photos and trying to warm up 😂. This was a superb little walk, lots to see and a superb sunset to finish with.On getting home I went out to water the veg growing in the garden and saw this Large Yellow Underwing moth on the fence. Pretty big for a moth but very common, although it does have some differing appearances with this one having a chestnut colouring.
Beautiful views, magnificent sunset and an impressive moth! I remember driving over that road on my way to walk from Burrator and thinking what a fine high moorland spot it was
That area certainly has some great views to the west, you usually see quite a few cars stopping across there as the sun is setting, to watch the event unfold
It is nice to do some evening walks especially after a busy day at work. It always helped me to feel more relaxed before going to bed.
Some great photos of the sunset.
treksandtors 
When I was running the DPA I was the technical owner of Sharpitor, acquired by the DPA after release by the MoD.
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There’s a good jumble of granite piled up on Sharpitor, forgot how big it was to be honest
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There used to be a radar station on top of it.
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I’m guessing that was army related from when they had it
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RAF I think
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What a beauty! Remind me to come back and grab it for next week’s walk.
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Beautiful views, magnificent sunset and an impressive moth! I remember driving over that road on my way to walk from Burrator and thinking what a fine high moorland spot it was
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That area certainly has some great views to the west, you usually see quite a few cars stopping across there as the sun is setting, to watch the event unfold
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What an amazing sunset walk!
I too have seen a yellow underwing moth recently.
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Absolutely gorgeous sunset. I don’t seem to have had a good one in ages but I’ve been enjoying the Perseus, between the clouds.
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It is nice to do some evening walks especially after a busy day at work. It always helped me to feel more relaxed before going to bed.
Some great photos of the sunset.
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