So January had been soggier than a teabag recently taken from the cup, and we moved into February, where surely the weather would get better. This might turn out to be true but for the first week (as I type) its rained every day, again. The weather forecast promised much for this day, damp low cloud in the morning, but by 1pm, clearing skies and only blue above for 3pm onwards. So we set off for somewhere safe, on the moor, but with good paths, just incase. We parked up near the Warren House Inn with expectations, the weather looked ok, there were cloud breaks and it seemed like the forecast might be good. We booted up and set off through the Vitifer Mine complex towards Grimspound, with the sun occasionally breaking through around us, all was looking good. The amount of rain recently was clear as we reached Grimspound, with normal grassy paths now a running stream of water, so we took a wide line and pushed on to King Tor. The cloud lowered and a bit of mizzle fell as we headed to the tor, the wind picked up as well and we arrived at King Tor and immediately headed for some shelter. The top outcrop allowed us to have a sandwich and coffee with a bit of protection, as the cloud obscured the views and swirled around. I managed to grab a few photos and then we headed away to Hookney Tor, were the weather was clear, but the mizzle was still around. The tor is a good one, great outcrops, good views along valleys and below a gem of a historic place. All that was left was to follow the Two Moors Way back to the car, via Bennet’s Cross and another coffee sat in the warm. Unfortunately for us the sun and blue skies came out as we walked the Two Moors Way, giving us some lovely colour at the end of the day but also right at the end of the walk, about 2 hours after forecast. So overall a very good route, but the weather wasn’t playing ball and the views off King Tor were missed (they are very good). One to park under a missed opportunity and a revisit needed.

Start – Bennet’s Cross parking

Route – Vitifer Mine – Headland Warren – Headland Warren Farm – Grimspound – King Tor – Hookney Tor – Two Moors Way – Bennet’s Cross – Warren House

Distance – 5.5 miles   Start time – 11.50am  Time taken – 3hrs  Highest Point – Hookney Tor 493 metres

Weather – Cloud, drizzle, bit of sunshine, windy