Another Sunday and another half decent forecast, dry, some bits of sunshine, warm but a little hazy with the distance views. No complaints from me though as its early March and we could have all sorts of weather at this point in the year, and considering on this walk that I was stripping off layers and lay on a rock enjoying the warm sun out of the breeze, it can’t be bad. This walk would pick up 4 tors and a couple of Dartmoor 365 squares, in a tricky area to the north of the River Dart, near to Dartmeet. So not the longest walk by some stretch, but plenty of boulders and steep climbs to keep us entertained. We started out from the parking by the B3357, under Yar Tor, and headed steeply downhill towards Dartmeet passing the Coffin Stone on the way. We stopped by the bridge at Dartmeet, before walking the short distance to see the point where the East and West Dart’s meet. We carried on along the now, River Dart to a nice area for a coffee, before climbing steeply up to Vag Hill, and the tor sitting within a depression. Dropping down again we entered into Combestone Wood and its boulder field before popping out on the banks (or rocks) by the River Dart. Following the path along the bottom as best as we could, we watched kayakers negotiating the cascades on the river as we headed for Luckey Tor. This outcrop had be covered in greenery in the summer months, but without the leaves the size of the tor can be seen clearly. Climbing up again we visited the summit first before carrying on past towards Rowbrook and the farm of Jan Coo, and then up further to Sharp Tor. On the climb to Sharp Tor we rested, out of the cooler wind and in the sunshine, for a while to enjoy the warmth for the first time this year. After Sharp Tor all that was needed was to pick off Little Sharp Tor, a second visit there for me and back to the car. All in all a good walk, and very good leg workout, with all the climbs, but most of all great to have the warmth in the sun again.
Before we reached our parking spot we passed two other Dartmoor 365 squares, the first was the River Dart Country Park, this consists of a large house/hotel (Holne House) and an adventure playground place.The second was Holne Bridge, with the River Dart passing underneath itStarting out and a hazy view south, with Sharp Tor looking very shapely from this directionThe B3357, we will follow that downhill towards DartmeetDartmeet is down there by those trees, just out of sightThe Coffin Stone, carrying the coffins out from Dartmeet, they would stop here, half way up the hill to allow those carrying the coffin to rest a while. That’s Yar Tor beyondDartmeet BridgeThe clapper is this side of the main road bridge, parts of the clapper have been washed away in 1820 and again in 1888. The road bridge is from 1792.Dartmeet, the East Dart comes from the right here, the West Dart is coming in from straight ahead. They join and head off leftStunning section of the River Dart, a spot for a coffeeCombestone Tor across the valley as we climb towards Vag Hill TorLooking back towards DartmeetVag Hill TorThe tor here sits in a bit of a depression below Vag Hill itselfMore of Vag Hill Tor below as we enter the woodland, plenty of boulders in here all the way down to the riverRiver DartA stunning little waterfall on the Dart, we could see kayakers in the distance, so chose to wait for them.The instructor makes light work of the small drop, the other two both smile at their efforts so farWe’d stopped by the River Dart in the sunshine for lunch, then made our way over to Luckey TorIts a big outcrop, I’d never walked around to the summit, so decided to put that rightViews from the summit across the Dart valleyLuckey Tor summitThe Dart valley continues to wind its way towards DartmouthA steep climb had us above Rowbrook Farm, with views across to Sharp Tor as well on the left and Mel Tor to the rightClimbing Sharp Tor we were out of any wind and the sun was warm. Time for another coffee to enjoy it all. Views to Down Ridge as wellSharp Tor summit and down to the bottom of the Dart valley, a couple of hundred metres belowA sliver of Venford reservoir across the valley. Ryders Hill up to the rightLinda stands on Sharp tor summitMy turn now on the top, Yar Tor on the left and Corndon Tor to the rightLittle Sharp Tor was our last spot before the car, again Yar Tor is behind on the rightLittle Sharp Tor and Sharp Tor behindDartmoor ponies, these were eating the recently swaled gorseLovely shot to Sharp TorAnd one last look along the valley holding the Rowbrook, which ends up in the larger valley of the River Dart. A lovely little walk which packs a punch with plenty of up and down
7 thoughts on “Dartmeet, Luckey Tor and Sharp Tor”
I used much of it as a setting for my thriller novel Dangerous Game. Always loved the Dart Gorge – the whole way through – New Bridge to Dartmeet – must be one of the toughest walks on the Moor.
treksandtors 
I used much of it as a setting for my thriller novel Dangerous Game. Always loved the Dart Gorge – the whole way through – New Bridge to Dartmeet – must be one of the toughest walks on the Moor.
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Agree with that John, some very tough ground with the boulders near to the river
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That pony eating the gorse looks very cute. Lovely photos.
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There was a group of them, about 20, all of them eating the burnt gorse. I assume there must be a mineral in it maybe that they need
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Nice walk. Luckey tor and the views are gorgeous.
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Agree, that’s a great shot of Sharp Tor at the end. Lovely colour contrasts. Happy memories of playing in the water at Dartmeet when I was a kid
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Dartmeet is a lovely spot, and the River is lovely along that section, very popular with kayakers all the way down to Holne Bridge
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