We've had the idea of walking one longer trek one week, then shorter the next, so this was a week for a longer trek. Beardown was one option, but there was firing in the Merrivale range, so instead we drove out to Fernworthy Reservoir. We parked as far into Fernworthy Forest [G12] as possible, which is at the south westerly end of the reservoir. We'll have to come back some time to walk around the water, which I think is possible.
Instead, we were heading up! Jonathan had read that part of our planned route could be wet underfoot, so he carried wellies in the rucksack as well as our snacks. At least there hadn't been any major rain for about a week, so we hoped the marshy area would at least be passable.
We did manage to miss one path in the forest - we discovered why later - and that meant we went further down than planned, emerging from the forest by a stream. We followed the outer wall back up the hill, as we knew there was a wall leading to our first tor. From there the path was quite clear - and we followed the natural detour to Grey Wethers stone circles [H11]. These circles were restored in 1909, with fallen stones returned to their holes, so they stand as they would have done 4000 years ago.
The path led on to our highest point of the day, Sittaford Tor (538m).
From Sittaford, I wanted to head onto Kit Rocks, but there was no clear path directly there. Instead, we took the path which is clear on the satellite maps to Statt's House [H10]. A short way along here, we did decide to change into wellies, which made the going somewhat easier. When you're not worried about water up to your ankle, it's easier to stride on! The house there has no roof, but the fireplace is still clear. It was a shelter for peat cutters, and there certainly is plenty of peat in the area.
Finding Kit Rocks was somewhat more difficult, as you'll see from the view of our walk. It was a case of following sheep trails until we realised we were heading in the wrong direction! Again, very glad of wellies, as there was a boggy stream to cross at one point. Kit Rocks (520m) are not terribly impressive, but sit at the side of the East Dart, which is a little prettier!
On the way back we did avoid the boggiest part, but it was often through long grass, until we reached the Statt's House path again. On the way back through the forest, we found why we'd missed the path earlier. Marked as a track on the OS map, I think you'd have needed a major piece of machinery to drive on it! It was a really pretty way down through the Forest though, and we'd have missed it even from the top without GPS.
At the bottom looking up, it just looked like a grassy verge, so the way through was well hidden and it was no surprise we'd missed it.
A little further back, we stopped by the Fernworthy Circle. It was freshly mown, and we had a chat with the gentleman who'd just completed the work. The Forestry Commission have the grass around these antiquities and others in their managed forests on the moor cleared once a year - so now is a good time to visit. He'd done an excellent job.
By the time we were back at the car, we'd walked 7.8 miles, so quite a long way for two tors!
