This post was something that I had thought about when I got that 10 year anniversary message earlier this year, I’d also passed 750,000 hits on the site as well, so I thought that I should do a celebration post to mark the event. Its true that I started in 2015, mainly out of a seeded idea that I needed to document walks that I had been doing for the 5 years prior to the startup. Something to document the boys and their walking, and by that point, a collection of tors and Wainwright summits that I had visited. So I decided on a title of treksandtors, after searching around for something unique enough, which combined Dartmoor and walking. The site has grown, taking inspiration from a couple of websites about Lakeland walking that I followed avidly, copying some of their layout and ideas, particularly around the individual tor pages (they had individual Lakeland fell pages). I’d originally helped the owner of one of the websites copy over dozens of walks from one hosting platform to their new location, giving me the kick to start my own. So off I went.

It’s changed a bit, and no doubt like many other people who blog and maintain their interests on a website, you get times that you think of stopping, or cutting back. But I’m still loving it, and trying to give my bit to Dartmoor, at times I think should I do more (or do moor!) and talk about epidemic of fly camping and the damage it does, especially when you rock up with 5 tents by a car park, to drink lots and have a laugh. Maybe I will at some point. But I digress a little, this post is to mark the 10 years of my little site, celebrating walks, visiting some fantastic places, the views and mostly a bit of happiness for us and to those that read, because that is what I get from each and everyone of your blogs and sites when I read them.

So I’ll start off with my most popular pages and walks on the site, this is my list of Dartmoor Tors in height order – Dartmoor Height order the page of the Dartmoor Tors in alphabetical order isn’t far behind. Top page of a feature or thing is – Shilley Pool, which is a surprise as its not a tor, but its a trend to show how popular swimming in a wild spot is. The most popular tor is – High Willhays and this makes sense as the highest spot on the moor, people will always be drawn, initially, to the highest places.

Next is the most popular walks to date, I guess the thing that jumps out initially is my website is about Dartmoor and walking amongst its tors and the only mention of a tor on the walks below is on Bodmin Moor!! However thinking outside the box, maybe having walks which include the lesser places are popular for those that need that walk, and mine is one of a few sites to get that walk? Whereas Scafell Pike or Haytor walks are everywhere on thousands of sites.

• 1 Blea Rigg and Tarn Crag – A real surprise given that it isn’t a walk people would search for in the Lakes, or maybe they would as 2750 people would attest to. A 2017 walk so has been on the site for a while to build up that number.
• 2 Cadover Bridge to Shaugh Bridge – my favourite walk, close to and a popular area for those around Plymouth, again a 2017 walk so has been on the site for a while.
• 3 Steps Bridge and Clifford Bridge – Not sure why this one is here, maybe Steps Bridge and Clifford Bridge is far more popular than I give it credit for, its a simple walk along the banks of the River Teign though and the youngest on the list at Dec 2021
• 4 Rough Tor and Brown Willy – The most popular walk on Bodmin Moor has to include these two and a walk from April 2021
• 5 Cofflette Creek, Brixton and Yealmpton – A walk in early 2020 which took off during the first lockdown, and 2132 people have looked at this one to date.

One walk that has been number one for the last 3 years, is this one with Linda to the East Dart Waterfall, and is running higher than those in the list above, it was walked in August 2022 and has almost 2000 hits and a year or two more and this one will be top five for sure. So to finish I’ll look to the walks that stand out over the last 10 years, I’m going to try and keep the numbers down otherwise you be left with dozens of walks on lists.

First we will go back to 2010 to 2014, I’m aware this is longer than 10 years ago however the site only started in 2015, so I had quite a few walks to go back and sort out first.

• First great walk, and my favourite Wainwright top alongside Scafell, is Bowfell and this is a great walk and one I need to redo – Crinkle Crags and Bowfell
• Great Crag and Grange Fell – this was a bit of a surprise as I didn’t expect much from this place, but I loved the views and the photos of me and the boys
• Christmas walk to Higher White Tor – Great memories of how cold this walk was and how little the boys look in this walk!

Next on to 2015 to 2019, I expect as we go through the years that the number of walks will increase a bit, but I’m being very cut throat with my choices!

• Probably the most important walk or most needed walk I’ve done, I don’t mind admitting I was broken as a person at this point, but people say walking helps, it did here and gave me a walk to come back to year on year – A sunset walk at Pew Tor
• Middle Fell on a crisp autumn day with that view, fantastic place to be – Middle Fell and Seatallan
• This is my coldest walk, and absolute freeze fest around Quintins Man, 5 layers and still cold – Quintins Man and Whitehorse Hill
• The “Beast from the East” walk, I felt a bit like a daft weather reporter out on the moor. It was wild, very wild, baltic and the visibility was 50 metres at most. Piles Hill in a Storm
• One of my favourite walks with the boys, still have one of the photos from this walk as my gravatar – Calf Crag and Steel Fell

On to 2020 to 2024 now, passing through the pandemic lockdowns but plenty of superb walks to enjoy as well.

• Bigbury to Mothercombe – Glorious bit of coastal walking, just as the lockdown restrictions were lifted a little
• The Lizard – Locked up in early 2021 again and months without having the boys over to stay meant our trip away to the Lizard was more important than any walk could be, however the walk was superb as well.
• Caerhays Castle to Pendower Beach – Stunning area of coastal path on the rarely talked about Roseland peninsular
• Whiteside and Hopegill Head – Ridiculously hot day, even at height, but a stunning ridge walk and return by a beck to cool off
• Sheeps Tor for a silent rave – Probably one of my most memorable walks, a silent disco on Sheeps Tor, stunning sunset, moon rising and lots more in between
• Scafell and Slight Side – If I could go back anywhere on my walks then I would pick Scafell at 5pm on a sunny spring May evening. So much in this walk.
• Holwell bluebells – A yearly treat to see this stunning display, the best in the country

So to finish is 2025, no doubt this list will be added to over the next 4 years but so far walks have been mixed with some outings looking to tick lists, but a couple have stood out already.

• Polzeath to Rock – Sitting at St Enodoc church was just perfect at the start of the great weather we have seen this year
• Sugar Loaf and Crug Mawr – A brilliant walk with Linda in South Wales as we joined Andy from Surfnslide on a walk in the Brecons.

Happy walking everyone