Boxing Day walks seem to be a popular activity, as many people try to get out and walk off Christmas Day excesses. We have managed a walk on two of the last three, so make that three out of four now as we headed up for Dartmoor. The weather has taken a bit of a turn recently, with cold weather sweeping in from the east and with it a strong wind as well. We didn’t need to walk too far, just a short one would do and this bimble starts in a busy spot, but heads off to a quieter place. We started from the Four Winds car park, where plenty of people got out of cars, looking decidedly underdressed for the biting winds, nevertheless they headed off up the well made track towards Great Mis Tor. For us we headed out across Merrivale Common to the two stone rows and on to the standing stone and circle. Next we followed the wall down the hill and into a field to Longash Tor, the strong cold wind meant we didn’t linger too long but we had fine views along the Walkham Valley. We next dropped to the footpath below Longash Tor, which gives the access to this tor, and followed it through the farm, crossing the bridge over Longash Brook in spate and on to Hucken Tor, which spreads up and down from the footpath. We stopped for coffee in the sunshine before climbing up alongside this vast tor in the trees, finding overhangs and ledges giving views across the valley to Vixen Tor. We popped out at the top and a short walk had us at Little King’s Tor, again the wind was cutting through us, so we headed further upwards to King’s Tor, our high point for the day. The views were fantastic from here and the sun was still shining on us, it was from here that we could clearly see grey gloomy clouds all around us, just not where we stood! The wind was blowing a fair bit here and Linda leaned into it to show how strong it was!! We descended off the front of the tor back towards Four Winds, we needed to cross the start of the stream, which we’d seen in spate earlier near Longash farm. It should have been narrower here and easier to cross however we struggled, then found a narrow bit which we easier cleared. Unfortunately it put us in a boggier area, and I traversed one piece of ground that was floating and then sinking as I stood on it, classic Dartmoor. But we got through without getting too wet and we had coffee back in the car to warm up nicely. A lovely walk and a perfect length for the time of year.

Start – Four Winds parking

Route – Merrivale Stone Circle and Row – Longash Tor – Longash – Hucken Tor – Little King’s Tor – King’s Tor – Four Winds

Distance – 3 miles   Start time – Midday  Time taken – 2hrs  Highest Point – King’s Tor 388 metres

Weather – Sunshine just on us, cloud all around, very windy