A Walk with Winnie: From Sourton Tors to Great Nodden

This walk has been kindly written (and walked) for us by Denise Horner of Dartmoor Nordic Walking with her dogs, Winnie and Scooby.

www.dartmoornordicwalkng.co.uk

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From Sourton Tors to Great Nodden

Distance: Approximately 9 km (5.6miles)

Time: 2-2.5 hours

Difficulty: Two uphill sections, from Prewley Moor and up to the top of Great Nodden.

Start point: Prewley Moor, Sourton - What3words: hissing.lecturers.notched or SX545910

This is an open, there and back walk with no shelter. The terrain can be uneven but the views from start to finish are pretty amazing.

Park at Prewley Moor, but make sure to put your valuables out of sight.

Taking the widest path, head up towards the left of Sourton Tors. This is a steady climb to the Tors and Trig point. You will reach two Granite Posts known as the Iron Gate, marking an ancient track called the King Way, between Okehampton and Tavistock. At this point the track starts to level out. Notice the tor on the horizon with what appears to be an undulating row of mounds. This is the Ice Factory, yes, Ice Factory! Also known as ‘Sourton Ponds’ it was built in 1875 to collect water and store as ice for the winter. Using Bridestowe Railway Station, the ice was then taken to Plymouth for fishermen to preserve their catch. The ‘Ponds’ were a lot deeper in the 1800s and have since been filled in for safety.

Head up to the tor and Trig point, taking in the views of Meldon Reservoir, Yes Tor, High Willhays, Great Links Tor, Great Nodden (known locally as Plum Pudding Hill) with its very distinct rounded appearance and of course, Brent Tor.

With the trig point behind you and facing into the moors looking across to Corn Ridge, you can clearly see a set of pathways contouring around the side of Corn Ridge to the right. This is the ‘King Way’. Head down towards the ‘cross roads’ of pathways, taking the most distinct path to your right heading around the edge of the ridge.

As you approach the ‘crossroads’ of pathways and gully, looking to your left, you will notice a half granite ‘apple crusher’ (thank you Paul Rendell, Dartmoor News). Down the gully to your right you will find a boundary stone.

Heading on the track to the right that contours Corn Ridge, continuing until you reach the embankment of Rattlebrook Peat Railway. You can clearly see the embankment, with Great Nodden to your right. The Rattlebrook Peat Railway was built in 1879, for the transport of peat for fires along the railway to Bridestowe Station.

The tracks can be seen heading in both directions, right toward Great Nodden and left to the reversing circle. Take the right here toward Great Nodden, we will come back via the reversing circle. As you walk along the track you will pass over a restored railway bridge. Head up hill now to the summit, where you will see a cairn. The views from here are far reaching and worth the climb. Take in from left to right, Great Links Tor, Brat Tor with Widgery Cross on top, Sharp Tor and towards the right Brent Tor.

As you head back down the hill, stay on the railway track, passing the place at which you joined it, until you reach a track joining from your right. This is also part of the Rattlebrook Railway and continues around to Great Links Tor . If you were to head this way and walk behind Great Links, you would come across ‘Bleak House’ ruin, formerly the home of the Peat Company’s caretaker, but for now, we are heading left toward the reversing circle.

Once you have reached this, look down to your left where you will see the path you came up on. Walk down to join this and head right, back toward the ‘crossroads’. Head over the gully taking the wider path to your right, bringing back through the Iron Gate (two granite posts). You can then see the carpark below.

If you would like to join us for this walk on Saturday, June 5th, we will be meeting at the start point for a 10am start. To book your space please visit www.dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk Places must be booked in advance as spaces are limited.

Denise and Winnie