Author Topic: High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor  (Read 3867 times)

clyoung

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 665
High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor
« on: 22:54:02, 23/08/20 »
Despite living in the South West, most of my hill walking happens in Wales but a recent overnight stay in Devon gave me a chance to reach the highest points of both Dartmoor and Exmoor.

On the first evening we walked up Yes Tor and High Willhays from Meldon Reservoir - I was quite pleased with our pace given we hadn't done any hillwalking in many months, but getting a phone call on top of Dartmoor at 7.53pm to say that due to Covid the latest check in at the hostel was 8pm not 10pm so where were we might have had something to do with that  ;D Obviously we didn't make it down in time but luckily they agreed a way for us to get in. Lesson learnt!

http://claire-walking-blog.blogspot.com/2020/08/august-2020-dartmoor.html

Having visited Exeter the next morning we took a circuitous route home so that we could visit Dunkery Beacon. This time we parked very close to the summit but then extended our return to the car to enjoy some more views.

http://claire-walking-blog.blogspot.com/2020/08/august-2020-stokes-wood-and-dunkery.html

We really should look south sometimes when choosing walking destinations. Any other suggestions for good walks on the two moors?

ninthace

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11821
Re: High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor
« Reply #1 on: 23:29:47, 23/08/20 »
Dozens!
Solvitur Ambulando

clyoung

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 665
Re: High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor
« Reply #2 on: 23:37:04, 23/08/20 »
Dozens!
Go on - your top 3? I like waterfalls as well as summits. Not keen on routes through farm yards or enclosed fields, I like being in woods or on open hillside

ninthace

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11821
Re: High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor
« Reply #3 on: 07:57:04, 24/08/20 »
Go on - your top 3? I like waterfalls as well as summits. Not keen on routes through farm yards or enclosed fields, I like being in woods or on open hillside
The Hobby Drive from Hunters Inn to Woody Bay and back on the SWCP via Heddons Mouth - coast views and a Waterfall. Brendon to Lynmouth and back, going down one side of the river and back up the other via Watersmeet. Dry Bridge, over Shilstone Hill, down to Malmsmead, up the Badgeworthy through Doone Country to the medieval village and back to Dry Bridge across the moor.  Simonsbath, along the Barle on the Two Moors Way then back along the ridge via Pickedstones.  Withypool, over Withypool Hill then Exe Valley Way to Tarr Steps and back by the river on the Two Moors Way.  Various routes on Dunkery Beacon.  I have the traces for these on the OS site and ViewRanger.


I will leave BuzyG et al to do Dartmoor.
Solvitur Ambulando

clyoung

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 665
Re: High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor
« Reply #4 on: 08:07:13, 24/08/20 »
The Hobby Drive from Hunters Inn to Woody Bay and back on the SWCP via Heddons Mouth - coast views and a Waterfall. Brendon to Lynmouth and back, going down one side of the river and back up the other via Watersmeet. Dry Bridge, over Shilstone Hill, down to Malmsmead, up the Badgeworthy through Doone Country to the medieval village and back to Dry Bridge across the moor.  Simonsbath, along the Barle on the Two Moors Way then back along the ridge via Pickedstones.  Withypool, over Withypool Hill then Exe Valley Way to Tarr Steps and back by the river on the Two Moors Way.  Various routes on Dunkery Beacon.  I have the traces for these on the OS site and ViewRanger.


I will leave BuzyG et al to do Dartmoor.
Thanks, much appreciated.

WhitstableDave

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3254
Re: High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor
« Reply #5 on: 08:40:38, 24/08/20 »
Thanks for that - I enjoyed reading your Yes Tor and High Willhays from Meldon Reservoir report very much.  O0

We should be staying near Dartmoor for a week next month, having postponed a cottage booking from the spring. I planned the first of our walks yesterday and that's almost exactly the route I plotted. The only real difference is that I added a bit towards Meldon Viaduct at the end which I hope will work out well.
Walk, Jog, Run : our YouTube video channel.

archaeoroutes

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1601
Re: High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor
« Reply #6 on: 10:44:57, 24/08/20 »
That's one of my favourite Dartmoor walks: Meldon - Black a tor Copse - Fordslands Ledge  - High Willhays - Yes Tor - Meldon. The viaduct is alsi wonderful - I've spent many a day running abseiking sessions off the maintenance walkway underneath.

Plenty of suggestions at https://my.viewranger.com/route/curations/450 and https://my.viewranger.com/route/curations/447
No need to pay - just look at the maps to give you ideas where to go.
Walking routes visiting ancient sites in Britain's uplands: http://www.archaeoroutes.co.uk

clyoung

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 665
Re: High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor
« Reply #7 on: 13:53:51, 24/08/20 »
Thanks for that - I enjoyed reading your Yes Tor and High Willhays from Meldon Reservoir report very much.  O0

We should be staying near Dartmoor for a week next month, having postponed a cottage booking from the spring. I planned the first of our walks yesterday and that's almost exactly the route I plotted. The only real difference is that I added a bit towards Meldon Viaduct at the end which I hope will work out well.
Thanks. In the circumstances adding a bit towards the Viaduct wasn't an option but it did look interesting from afar.

clyoung

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 665
Re: High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor
« Reply #8 on: 12:30:17, 27/08/20 »
That's one of my favourite Dartmoor walks: Meldon - Black a tor Copse - Fordslands Ledge  - High Willhays - Yes Tor - Meldon. The viaduct is alsi wonderful - I've spent many a day running abseiking sessions off the maintenance walkway underneath.

Plenty of suggestions at https://my.viewranger.com/route/curations/450 and https://my.viewranger.com/route/curations/447
No need to pay - just look at the maps to give you ideas where to go.
Thanks - will have to try out the viaduct another day.

Mel

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10936
Re: High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor
« Reply #9 on: 21:47:41, 31/08/20 »
Thanks for posting these  :)


Despite quite a few forum members being from the South West, there seems to be very few trip reports  :(

clyoung

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 665
Re: High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor
« Reply #10 on: 22:39:03, 31/08/20 »
Thanks for posting these  :)


Despite quite a few forum members being from the South West, there seems to be very few trip reports  :(
I'm half Welsh and most of my hill walking is done in Wales. I do have lots of short walks that are local to me on my website plus a few slightly longer ones which might be of wider interest

Clevedon to Portishead coast path:
http://claire-walking-blog.blogspot.com/2017/09/september-2017-clevedon-to-portishead.html?m=0
Chipping Sodbury to Hillesley:http://claire-walking-blog.blogspot.com/2016/05/may-2015-chipping-sodbury-to-hillesley.html?m=0
Cleeve Hill:http://claire-walking-blog.blogspot.com/2016/08/july-2016-cleeve-hill.html?m=0
Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail:http://claire-walking-blog.blogspot.com/2017/01/december-2016-forest-of-dean-sculpture.html?m=0



richardh1905

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12710
Re: High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor
« Reply #11 on: 22:59:28, 16/09/20 »
I enjoyed your dartmoor blog, Claire  :)
WildAboutWalking - Join me on my walks through the wilder parts of Britain

clyoung

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 665
Re: High points of Dartmoor and Exmoor
« Reply #12 on: 23:08:27, 16/09/20 »
I enjoyed your dartmoor blog, Claire  :)
Thanks Richard.

 

Terms of Use     Privacy Policy