As we progressed into November, the weather worsened, the days shortened and our want to walk waned a little. However this was our 3rd week of walking, so we were just about hanging on in there. We decided to head to the Haytor area, and do a nice loop walk, which start along a lane and then heads up across moorland before returning to the car. We started near to Halshanger Cross and walked the lane to Bagtor Mill, which is a Dartmoor 365 square, avoiding one particularly heavy downpour by hiding under a hedge on a wall. From there we walked a bit more lane before turning left and heading upwards to Pinchaford Ball, a small rocky outcrop near to Haytor. We then contoured around, avoiding some bovine blocking a gate, and across to Bag Tor with some lovely sunshine to celebrate our visit. Next we negotiated the infant River Sig as we headed upwards to Horridge Common, water also fell on us as we hunkered down behind a wall, enjoying the view across South Hams. Crossing Horridge Common we dropped down to eventually find the track heading south west to the old Rippon Rifle Range, a world war 2 firing range, used to practice as the war intensified in 1942. A short bimble remained to find the car at the end of a lovely outing and a new route for myself that I haven’t done before.
Looking south and west, the dimple in the distance (centre right) is Brent Hill. Weather is some sunshine and some thicker clouds, could be a mixed bag looking at the forecastEarly November and still plenty of colour around this part of Dartmoor as we look back up the lane from Halshanger CrossLovely tree (might have been an acer) at Halshanger ManorWe saw a few of these signs, thinking, from a distance, that they were stone. Not so, these are carved wood and a fine effort.Along the lane to Bagtor MillAcross South HamsLinda walks the lanes with a rainbow above, which means rain is aroundWe stopped by this George 6th postbox for a brew as heavy rain fell. We hunkered under the hedge which was sat atop this wall for shelterBagtor Mill with the River Lemon on the left. This is now a holiday let I thinkBirchanger CrossWe turned off the road which leads to Haytor Vale, to climb up to Pinchaford Ball, there was plenty of brown bracken around but we found a feint path through it. Behind us the views were superb across to TeignmouthPinchaford Ball and passing showers in the distanceI’m not sure what Linda is up to here, looking at the megacrysts on Pinchaford Ball, the moss or smelling the granite. Answers on a postcard!!Into the sun, the green hill in front holds Bag TorShowers, South Hams and this lonely treeBrown bracket and views a plentyBag Tor looking back to HaytorFrom Bag Tor, with Rippon Tor left and Saddle Tor rightLooking out of Dartmoor to South Hams, below us here is Bagtor MillWe left Bag Tor and hopped the stones across the River Sig, which was pretty deep considering it was less than 500 metres old at that point. As we climbed to Horridge Common the views back to Haytor and Pinchaford Ball were superbHere we were hiding behind a wall, trying to shelter from another heavy shower. Here I look at said shower as it heads across South Hams“After the rain comes the sunshine”. Here we cross Horridge Common, the main track along here had some dips in it which were holding some huge puddles, some 12 inches deep, we did well to get around thoseAt Rippon Rifle range, an old world war 2 firing range. This is the target raising section, the stop butt is to my left, and to the right 600 metres of range, where they would shoot fromThe stop butt on the right, made from a huge brick wall, lots of sand, gravel and earth. Horridge Common at the backThe back of the stop buttLooking out to South Hams as we near the car. Some lovely weather on this walk, yes some heavy showers but the clarity improved as the rains cleared. A fab 4 hours in this corner of the moor.
treksandtors 
The landscape is magnificent, isn’t it? Despite the mad mix of weather xx
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We had some lovely views on this one, the sun and air clarity were very good for us
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Some stunning autumn colours in these photos. I love that photo of the gnarly tree with Haytor silhouetted behind
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Think I’ve taken a similar photo to that each time I’ve been to Bag Tor, the tree just seems to be in the right place
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I love a gnarly tree in winter with the sun behind
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Gorgeous colours and looks like you had a great day for it!
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Blimey some great views there, but also some hugely contrasting weather. I don’t mind the rain so much if there’s a bit of sunshine too.
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If its going to rain then I’m happy if I finish in the dry, thankfully we had a couple of miles to walk after the last shower so all was good
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