Piles Hill and Sharp Tor

Back on Dartmoor and probably the last evening walk of the year, but what a fantastic surprise at the end. I planned on walking to Sharp Tor on Ugborough Moor and decided on a nice easy starting point of Harford. I intended on only heading first to Piles Hill and then Sharp Tor, but Hangershell…

Cranmere Pool and Hangingstone Hill

Like Ducks Pool on the south moor, Cranmere Pool is one of those places that if you like walking you will need to visit. To say you’ve been!! It’s the site of the oldest letterbox on Dartmoor dating from 1854 and the tough trudge is worth it for the peace and quiet. The boggy hike…

7 Tors around the roof of Devon

A walk to prepare for a week in the Lake District which is coming up at the start of August. Starting from a new place for me, beside Okehampton Camp, I made for Yes Tor taking in a couple of other tors on the way. Once at High Willhays I extended the walk down to…

An evening around Pew Tor

I’d originally set off and gone to Wembury for a walk but I knew a better sunset would be had on Dartmoor, this walk didn’t disappoint in that respect. Good views and an orange sunset glow around Brentor in the west lifted the spirits at the end of a hard day. I knew this would…

Hen Tor

This was just one of those times when only a walk would do. I had to get out, the weather wasn’t great but I managed to visit some new spots and tors. Plus I finally visited the other side of the Plym from Ditsworthy Warren House! The walk back following the leat which runs parallel…

Burrator and a Sunset

Another lovely evening and a quick decision to walk around Burrator, once halfway round i noticed that the cloud was clearing a bit and the possibility of seeing a sunset became more likely. By the time I reached Down Tor, at just after 9pm, the setting was perfect to see a sunset in a dip…

The Beacons

Another lovely evening and a chance for an evening walk around the southernmost points of Dartmoor, whilst I’ve been to Western Beacon before the other 3 were new to me. It was a lovely evening for a short walk with some fantastic views across South Hams

Lynch Tor

It’s June and time to lengthen the mileage walked, I headed first over tors I have visited before in the Staple Tors and Roos Tor. However this time I carried on out the back of Roos Tor to Cocks Hill (not worth the effort!) and Lynch Tor (more than made up for Cocks Hill), before…

Walkhampton Sunset

Not so much a walk this one but more of an opportunity to watch an evening sunset, not bad for the first one of the year though. I headed above Burrator reservoir to Peek Hill which gives a good view west to the descending sun alongside some lovely views down to Burrator reservoir.

All around Haytor

My first proper evening walk of the year and a great one it was. Haytor in the sun is a very popular place however in the evening you get great sunsets from this area with far less people about. The path to Bag Tor is a permitted path at this time of year which climbs…

Eylesbarrow

Another week and my second bus journey to Burrator, getting a habit this!! Not the weather I wanted but this is a great route, with tors, historic monuments and old farms to keep you interested. The only hard climb is to Eylesbarrow otherwise it’s all fairly simple going.

Black Tor

A new one on me, a bus journey to the start of the walk and then a bus back home at the end. As I was a little early getting back I was able to walk the length of Burrator and get an ice cream whilst waiting for the bus!! The walk took some of…

Swell Tor

If your after a simple walk, nothing too tough but still with views and maybe some history thrown is as well, this walk is perfect. Perfect for families, old and young. The old railway track bed leaves Princetown running parallel with the Plymouth road and loops around the back of Swell Tor and Kings Tor.…

Combeshead Tor

Time for a quick walk up to Down Tor and then across to Combeshead Tor before descending to Cuckoo Rock. It was all in the name as I heard the first cuckoo of spring whilst walking back to Norsworthy Bridge!!

Devil’s Tor and Beardown Man

Today was a walk into the wilderness and typical terrain that is Dartmoor, away from any roads although the military presence can be seen all over this area. It’s a stunning area however the part across Black Dunghill and the last part by the Cowsic Bridge can get pretty boggy but that is more than…

Hare Tor

A new area for us this time, the Willsworthy range has been on the radar but travelling north on the road from Tavistock we’ve headed for Lydford Gorge or Yes Tor instead. This time however we parked at Lane End and tackled the area around Hare Tor. In hindsight we should have headed for the…

Grimspound and the tors around

It was the day of the half solar eclipse but to be honest, on Dartmoor, it kind of barely happened. It went a bit darker I guess and a bit cooler, but nothing like a full solar eclipse!! I grabbed a quick photo as it emerged behind a cloud which obscured the glare from the…

East Dart Waterfall

As mentioned before this is one of the best places to visit on Dartmoor. Again starting from Postbridge this time we took the west side of the East Dart first and headed over Broad Down. The views were hampered by the haze in fact at times good photos were difficult to get. The area above…

South Brent to Shipley Bridge

Today was time for something a bit different, this walk gives you a bit of moorland, woodland tracks and quiet lanes. It is perfect when perhaps the weather isn’t quite as good as you would like! You could park at either end of this walk, at South Brent (where I did) or Shipley Bridge where…

Royal Hill circular

Another nice day and time for a walk on new ground, on a circular walk of Royal Hill. I have to say I didn’t expect too much from the walk but the views to the north are very good. However the walk back from Tor Royal to Peat Cot was fairly boggy at this time…

All around the Staple Tors

I hadn’t been out on Dartmoor for around a month and was getting itchy feet for some new granite!! I decided to visit a tor I have been to before in Cox Tor and add on a visit to Roos Tor and the Staple Tors. It was a very pleasant way to spend a few…

Leather Tor

We had a bit of time for a quick walk and Leather Tor seemed like a good option. The weather was amazing, still a bit of snow on the ground, a cold nip in the air and lots of blue sky.

Redlake

Another place on Dartmoor that I wanted to visit. I had been a few times to Avon Dam and seen the dimple in the distance that is the Redlake spoil heap and planned a walk that would get the best out of this area. The weather was absolutely stunning, crisp snow in places, sun and…

Duck’s Pool

Duck’s Pool was one of those places that I wanted to visit but didn’t know what it looked like or what to expect. I knew it would be boggy getting there, even with some ice on the ground. I would class this a bog rating 4 out of 5 especially the part from Great Gnats…

South Hessary Tor

Bitterly cold day on Dartmoor and only a shortish walk to South Hessary Tor and back. Starting from the Princetown car park and heading along the path behind the Plume of Feathers pub (used at the end!!). It’s a walk that requires little effort and no special navigation as the tor is right next to…

Higher White Tor

A walk to remove the excesses of Christmas and what a walk we had, fantastic blue sky, crisp and a great route. This has to be one of my favourite walks on Dartmoor and you can add more onto this walk if the days are longer heading on towards Rough Tor and back via Beardown…

Cadover Bridge, Shaugh Bridge and Wigford Down

A walk out of necessity to get out of the house, there wasn’t a lot of colour out there today however the walk from Cadover to Shaugh Bridge and back is one of my favourites. Ironically, looking back, the same walk was done in glorious sunshine at the same time last year

Bellever Tor

It was a lovely November day, cold on the tops but lovely and sunny with superb views all round. Bellever Tor was the choice today and a great walk it was.

A circuit of Avon Reservoir

A birthday walk around Avon Dam which didn’t quite go as planned. The ford which was marked on the map even after a long period of dry weather was 12 inches deep which meant boots off and wading was in order!! Still an area I’ve never been to before and its better than sitting in…

Pew Tor

Time for a no rush, easy walk from Pork Hill car park, with some lovely scenery but nothing too strenuous for a Sunday afternoon! Some new hills collected, shame that the sun only came out at the end but it at least meant that the ice cream van got some custom!

Penn Beacon and Shell Top

Day off work and time for a walk, decision made on an ascent of Penn Beacon and adding on Shell Top for good measure. A good track from Quick Bridge takes you to open moorland just beyond the Lee Moor clay pits, before heading up steeply. Once on top the views are good especially over…

Great Mis Tor

Time a quick walk somewhere in the Princetown area and we plumped this time for Great Mis Tor, not too far and with the easy track no need for map reading. For some reason each time I’ve been up on this tor it has never been overly warm, again today despite it being July a…

All around the mast

The mast on North Hessary Tor has to be one of the most recognisable landmarks in any of our National Parks, it certainly is on Dartmoor. This walk is an easy 4 mile circuit with only one real climb up to the mast itself, with the majority of the rest of the walk on old…

Yes Tor and High Willhays

When you start walking hills and mountains, it is always the highest places that draw you in. South of the Peak District the highest is High Willhays and today was the day for us to attempt an ascent. The weather did its best to put us off but we made it round without too many…

Down Tor Stone Row

A day off work and a chance to get out for a walk, not too far from home but this is a first visit to the stone row behind Down Tor and its a fine example of its type. Another chance to climb my first ever tor of Down Tor and one of my favourites.…

Eylesbarrow Tin Mine

A lovely day and time for a quick walk to Ditsworthy Warren house and back via the Eylesbarrow tin mine track. As it was such a nice day there was time for a well earned ice cream from Cadover Bridge!

All around Nun’s Cross

We took advantage of a glorious spring day to get out for our first visit to Nun’s Cross before heading over to Plym Ford and back via Eylesbarrow. The views across Fox Tor mires to the distant North Dartmoor hills are fantastic on this route although it helps to have a bit of blue in…

East Dart Waterfall

Another walk that I have wanted to do for a while and one that didn’t disappoint. Pick a warm spring day after a little rain (not too much otherwise you cannot cross the waterfall) and there’s not a finer walk on Dartmoor. Starting in Postbridge, using the roadside parking opposite the pub, its an easy…

Longaford Tor and the West Dart Weir

I’d been wanting to do this walk for a while so despite the dreary start to the weather we set off from Two Bridges heading for Crocken Tor and along the ridge to Longaford Tor before dropping to the West Dart Weir and back along the Devonport Leat. its a fantastic walk not too difficult…

Sheeps Tor

Grabbed the opportunity today to nip out for a quick walk up to Sheeps Tor. Parking at Norsworthy Bridge and walking part way round Burrator and heading up the steep side of Sheeps Tor. Not a great deal of mileage involved but the steepness meant a few pauses for breath were required! Then it was…

Beardown Tor

A day off from work and a good chance to get out and about. Starting from the car park near the Two Bridges hotel we headed for Beardown Tor and Lydford Tor following part of the Devonport leat. However looping back via Cowsic Bridge brought with it some issues with very boggy ground, between us…

Cadover Bridge to Shaugh Bridge and back

Pre-Christmas walk to banish the December blues and take advantage of a batch of glorious sunshine! This walk follows the clay pipe route out through the North Wood heading for Shaugh Bridge before crossing the Plym and heading up the track to the top above The Dewerstone. The return is back across Wigford Down with…

Bellever Tor

A lovely circular walk which tops out on two tors, the views from Bellever Tor are superb, especially northwards towards Longaford and the Beardown Tors. There’s also the added bonus of a pint back in Postbridge and a chance to see the famous clapper bridge.

Avon Reservoir and Dam

This is lovely family walk, with a good tarmac path 95% of the way following the course of the River Avon as it heads downstream from the Avon Reservoir. The weather was warm and sunny and a paddle in the river was needed to cool off with a picnic!!

Drizzlecombe and Higher Hartor Tor

A lovely walk taking in a film set, a Bronze Age settlement, a couple of tors and an old tin mine! Shame the sun couldn’t shine. This is a cracking place, the history in the area is well worth seeing, especially Drizzlecombe