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A route taking in the highest and most remote tors, with plenty of 'moist ground' if undertaken outside of summer!
From Meldon Reservoir Carpark, make your way across the dam, and head to Black Tor - the anciet Dwarf Oak forest is in the West Okement Valley below.
Next go up to Yes Tor, along the ridge to High Willhays (highest point in S. England).
Drop down (and up) to the castle-like rock of Lints Tor.
Next head up over Great Kneeset, and onwards to Fur Tor for a lunch stop at the remotest tor. Hopefully enjoy far ranging views N,S and W, with a closer view of Cut Hill to the E.
Then due to high river levels (November)I then dropped down to cross the Amicombe brook just above where Cut Combe water meets it. Then followed the right bank of the Amicombe for a while before going across the shoulder of the hilll above Watern Oke - remains of an ancient settlement.
Good views down Tavy Cleave can be had from by the Army huts on Amicombe hill above Rattlebrook Foot. (photo for route)
*Follow the Rattlebrook as best as you can untill you reach the ruins of Bleak House (remains of the house of the manager of the long defunct Rattlebrook Peatworks) and nearby Green Tor.
Make your way to the old Peatworks railway track further up the Rattlebrook, then follow it round to Gren Tor.
*From here, an alternate longer, higher level, route (with potentially good views)can be had by crossing the Rattlebrook and climbing up to Hare Tor, then striking north to Great Links tor via Chat Tor and DunnaGoats Tors. Then Drop down to the Peat Railway and Gren Tor...
Strike off across the uppermost River Lyd till you reach the cairn and Rock of Branscombes Loaf - where a medeival bishop of Exeter was said to have encountered the Devil...
Next, drop down to Shelstone Tor - where (if you are lucky) there are excellent views up the West Okement Valley. Then to the track just above Vellake Corner which then will then lead you around (and above) the North-western shore of Meldon Reservoir back to the carpark. |
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