Great Staple Tor [L5] is well known for its rocks, which make it a popular place with photographers. Not quite so photogenic in today's grey weather, so here's a shot courtesy of Liminal Light (my fellow walker) from another day.
24th January
Chose to travel to Tavistock via Callington today, having got stuck on the A386 at Roborough too many times last weekend. Much smoother journey. From there we headed onto the moor, stopping at the first car park. Tors for the day were Cox Tor (442m) [L4], Roos Tor (454m) and then Great, Middle and Little Staple Tors (455m, 431m and 382m).
19th January
We took advantage of a 'One Service Sunday' for my minister husband and headed out at lunchtime to Dartmeet. Sun again, although gloves and hats were welcome too, and much of the ground was hard with frost. Up the road, and off to the right we found the Coffin Stone [N13] (312m), and on the other side of the road the Money Pit [N14]. A little further along the road we headed north, up Yar Tor (416m). To make more of a 'lollipop' walk, we then headed north east to Cathanger Rock (400m) and back along the ridge to North Corndon Tor (410m) and Corndon Tor (434m). Down past the memorial to a 19 year old lieutenant, who died commanding his troops in Palestine in 1918. A young leader indeed.
Back across the road, as the sun dipped below the horizon, we also fitted in Sharp Tor (380m).
The shortest route back was down and up again, which involved crossing a boggy stream - thankfully not as deep as last weekend! Back into Dartmeet along the road, taking care to step to the side for any passing vehicles, as it was quite dim by this point.
If I am counting the points I've reached as those from Ken Ringwood and Dartmoor Search and Rrescu Team Plymouth's book 'Dartmoor's Tors and Rocks',I'm now up to 14! At some point I'll make a list page with the reference numbers. Here's the route from this walk.0
Back across the road, as the sun dipped below the horizon, we also fitted in Sharp Tor (380m).
If I am counting the points I've reached as those from Ken Ringwood and Dartmoor Search and Rrescu Team Plymouth's book 'Dartmoor's Tors and Rocks',I'm now up to 14! At some point I'll make a list page with the reference numbers. Here's the route from this walk.0
10th January
Another sunny January day. We only had a half day, so chose a closer part of Dartmoor, not far from Yelverton. Looking for a walk including Gutter Tor, I found one on the Countryfile website, which we followed, more or less. Having not read or seen War Horse, those bits would interest others more than me, but there was much more to enjoy.
Starting from a small car park beyond the village of Sheepstor, it was a short uphill walk to Gutter Tor and on to a trig point beyond. The views were brilliant, and I'm beginning to learn the shape of different prominent tors to get my bearings. On the way down from the tor, another walker showed us a cross chiselled in one rock, and an apple press. We would certainly not have noticed them had they not been pointed out, but you can find out about them here on the Dartmoor Crosses website.
A little further on, we wandered around the Ditsworthy Warren House [S8]- and found the kennel in the wall. You can see why Spielberg and his team found this an inspiring place for filming. You can see we wandered around from the splodge at the bottom of this map!
We then went a little 'off piste' to climb Eastern Tor as we were passing so close. It's one of those tors which it's hard to know which is the highest point, but I'm happy to include it in my list of tors climbed in 2020. Then came our next obstacle. As we descended from the tor, we could see the path ahead, but the track we were supposed to follow had become a small pond! You can see on the route map that we tried going upstream to cross, but that became a wider crossing of reeds, and impossible to see a way through. To the right of the path, there was a narrower stream, but too wide to jump. So there was nothing for it other than to remove boots and socks and step through the January temperature water! And again, for the stream had split into two. Reading the instructions again, Countryfile did call this a 'small ford' - somewhat of an understatement after December's rain!
With dried and warmed feet back in boots, the next part of our journey was possibly the most interesting. We found ourselves in the Drizzlecombe stone rows [R8]. Here we found a dry rock to sit on and enjoy our drinks and a quick snack, reflecting on ancient times. The pics are from different sides of the tallest standing stone, one showing its unusual shape, and the other showing its size!
Carrying on upwards, Higher Hartor Tor was the highest point on our walk. Even at the top, it was squelchy underfoot, as was much of today's walk. We came down through Eylesbarrow tin mine, more evidence of times gone by. I suspect these Dartmoor visitors were somewhat noisier than their bronze age predecessors, but now all is quiet. Then it was a quick jaunt down a wider track to the car. And I forgot to put the walk recorder off until we were half way to Sheepstor village, so the map has an extra 3/4 mile added in! Tors 6,7 and 8 complete.
Starting from a small car park beyond the village of Sheepstor, it was a short uphill walk to Gutter Tor and on to a trig point beyond. The views were brilliant, and I'm beginning to learn the shape of different prominent tors to get my bearings. On the way down from the tor, another walker showed us a cross chiselled in one rock, and an apple press. We would certainly not have noticed them had they not been pointed out, but you can find out about them here on the Dartmoor Crosses website.
A little further on, we wandered around the Ditsworthy Warren House [S8]- and found the kennel in the wall. You can see why Spielberg and his team found this an inspiring place for filming. You can see we wandered around from the splodge at the bottom of this map!
With dried and warmed feet back in boots, the next part of our journey was possibly the most interesting. We found ourselves in the Drizzlecombe stone rows [R8]. Here we found a dry rock to sit on and enjoy our drinks and a quick snack, reflecting on ancient times. The pics are from different sides of the tallest standing stone, one showing its unusual shape, and the other showing its size!
Carrying on upwards, Higher Hartor Tor was the highest point on our walk. Even at the top, it was squelchy underfoot, as was much of today's walk. We came down through Eylesbarrow tin mine, more evidence of times gone by. I suspect these Dartmoor visitors were somewhat noisier than their bronze age predecessors, but now all is quiet. Then it was a quick jaunt down a wider track to the car. And I forgot to put the walk recorder off until we were half way to Sheepstor village, so the map has an extra 3/4 mile added in! Tors 6,7 and 8 complete.
3rd January
A dry January day, sunshiny and bright. Just two of us walking today, starting from Widecombe in the Moor. Three tors reached. A steady up ftom 800 feet to around 1350 (Bell Tor), then at 1500 ft Chinkwell Tor. A fantastic place for views of the moor. Looking across to Haytor reminded me that it was there late last year that this idea was born. We'd completed walking the Cornish South West Coast Path and were wondering what to do next. Could I climb 50 Tors in my 50th year?
We walked on to Honeybag Tor, where unusual characters seem to emerge from the rock shapes. Finding a sheltered spot - it was mighty windy on top - we enjoyed pasties for lunch. Back down into the valley and along the road to Widecombe.
This walk was from Walks for All Ages by John Noblet, published by Bradwell Books. We did miss one turn, but found a way to rejoin the path. Although we missed it whilst walking, we did later find the Miolstone [K16].
1st January
Today the journey began. Not a specially early start to the day (we did enjoy seeing in the new year with games and trashy telly), but heading up beyond Mary Tavy onto the moor. With husband, daughter and son-in-law in tow, I climbed Ger Tor (446m) and Nat Tor (356m).
The way up Ger Tor was boggy in places, so we climbed in a rather zigzag fashion. Coming down to Wheal Jewel Leat was a slow clamber, but being unable to see Hare Tor due to mist, seemed the best route. The leat was full, but we did see a few fish. A quick detour to ascend Nat Tor added in an extra summit. Two hours covering 2.25 miles reminds me that walking on the moor can often take longer than one expects.
This walk was mostly from this one on Visit Dartmoor, although we didn't make it to Hare Tor, and added in Nat Tor. We passed The Elephant's Nest [J3 - see Links and Bibliography page for references] en route from Mary Tavy.
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