A high level moorland walk of just over 6 miles with John Noblet of Tavistock Ramblers - longer and higher than normal but taking full advantage of late summer colours and fantastic views on a clear day. Be aware that parts of this walk are on minor tracks on open moorland, otherwise on a quiet lane.
Go up the hill from Dartmeet, and near the top, after a left-hand bend, park in the small parking area on the right. SX681733, nearest postcode PL20 6SG, What3words/// keyboards.monday.menswear
1. Cross the road with care and take the left of several minor tracks towards Yar Tor on the skyline. At first the path is rather narrow but keep faith, it soon opens out as the tor is approached. Go over the false crest and continue to the summit. A curious spiral shelter provides stunning views in all directions, even to the sea in the distance.
2. Head eastwards downhill on a clear track towards Corndon Tor. About 100m before reaching the road, bear right to pass a ruined cist (burial chamber) on the right, known as the Money Pit. As you might expect, there are several versions of the story behind the name.
3. Cross the road and continue ahead up the slope towards a prominent stone cross.
This is a memorial to Lt Evelyn Cave Penney, the son of a local landowner, who was killed in Palestine just months before the end of WW1.From the cross bear slightly left on the path up to the top of Corndon Tor.
4. Go left towards a pile of stones (a large cairn). Pass to the right of this and across the ridge to a second large cairn. Pass to the right again and (carefully) go down a rocky descent towards a wide path.
5. After about half a mile pass a small muddy pond and bear slightly right towards a wooded hilltop in the far distance. Be warned, the path is not clear here, but head towards the high point on the skyline. The path soon becomes much clearer as it drops down to a road junction. Note the construction of the drystone field walls here with very large boulders of granite.
6. Turn right at the road junction and walk along the lane for half a mile ignoring a side turning and passing a Christmas tree farm.
7. Go left through a wooden gate onto a path signed to West Shallowford. This old green lane descends gently to the hamlet. Go through a metal gate onto a road and bear right up the slope.
8. Turn left at the top and continue on the lane past the ancient Corndon Ford Farm and then a fine old 16C thatched longhouse, now a private house, at Foxworthy. At Lock’s Gate Cross, turn right signed to Dartmeet.
9. After just a short distance, immediately past the 40 sign, bear left onto the moorland. (To shorten the walk carry on up the hill on the road). Follow the path gently uphill past the enclosure of Primm Cottage to reach the main road at Bel Tor Corner.
10. Cross the road with care and bear half right down the lane towards Sharp Tor.
Cross a stream and almost immediately turn right on a grassy path towards the tor past a hawthorn tree.
11. Go through the gap to the right of the main rock outcrop and take care down rocky moorland towards another lonely tree. Go right here and head towards a good path towards the corner of a green field and to the right of Yar Tor on the skyline.
At the road, walk along the grassy verge back to the parking area, Tavistock Ramblers walk at weekends and on Wednesdays. There are a mix of short walks and longer all-day hikes to suit all. Go to www.tavistockramblers.org.uk to see the latest walks on offer. You are welcome to join us.
If you just want something shorter to start with, try a Ramblers Wellbeing Walk to get active. There will be one near you.
You will also find a series of self-guided walks on the website to download or print. Two books of Tavistock District walks and several leaflets of walks in the area are available in the Tavistock Information Centre.