Head south west young person and take in a classic moorland walk across Dartmoor's rugged tor-infested terrain with a mix of stunning scenery and remnants of a rich industrial heritage.
Walking Route: Sheep's Tor - Dartmoor
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Norsworthy Bridge > Down Tor
> Ditsworthy Warrne > Sheeps Tor > Norsworthy
Bridge
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Distance: 7.4 miles (11.8
km)
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Height Gain: 1184 ft
(361m)
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Overview: :A classic walk over
Dartmoor taking in superb viewpoints including Down Tor and
Sheeps Tor
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Maps: Ordnance Survey: Expl OL28 / LR
191
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 1
Technicality: 1
Photo Grade: 2
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Start Point: SX
568 692
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Something south-western for a change in the form of a classic walk
over Dartmoor taking in superb viewpoints including Down Tor and
Sheeps Tor along with remains of the areas past stretching back
thousands of years. The walk covers the full spectrum of moorland
scenery with archetypal Dartmoor tors, streams and woodland offering
something for everyone.
Section 1 - Norsworthy Bridge to Down Tor
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Distance: 1.3 miles
(2.1km)
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Height Gain: 488ft
(149m)
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Start from the small car park at
Norsworthy
Bridge at the eastern end of Burraton Reservoir, and head
south along the minor road to cross the stream coming down from
Newlycombe Lake. Once over the bridge turn right onto an obvious
track running alongside Middleworth Plantation.
Image copyright
Gywn
Jones and licensed for reuse under
this Creative
Commons Licence
Just beyond the end of the plantation on your right, take a left
turn after the first set of buildings along a tree - lined path
straight out of the Hound of The Baskervilles. Follow this path north
to emerge at a gate opening onto the moorland. The route continues
north, passing ancient hut circles and a cairn to the obvious summit
of Down
Tor.
Section 2 - Down Tor to Ditsworthy Warren
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Distance: 3.2 miles
(5.1km)
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Height Gain: 383ft
(117m)
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From
Down Tor, the land falls away to the west but
continues to rise to the east. From the tor take a line just south of
east towards a cairn and a line of ancient stones that stretch for
300 yards. At the far end of the stone line aim for a cairn just east
of the obvious large circular walled enclosure.
South east of this lies the summit of Eylesbarrow,
from where you turn south to the abandoned Eylesbarrow Tin Mine - a
remnant of Dartmoor's rich industrial heritage. Turn right at the
abandoned mine, moving steadily downhill to a fork in the path. Take
the left fork into Drizzle Combe, passing through Ditsworthy
Warren.
To the right you pass some of the most outstanding examples of
Dartmoor's prehistoric past, including the tallest of all Dartmoor's
menhirs and the impressive Giant's Basin cairn. Continue along the
path to reach a junction at Ditsworth
Warren House.
Section 3 - Ditsworthy Warren to Norsworthy bridge
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Distance: 2.9 miles
(4.7km)
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Height Gain: 313 ft
(95m)
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From Ditsworth Warren House turn right again, along Edward's
path, which descends slowly along
Eastern Tor, to reach a
scout hut and T-junction in the path. Turn right briefly to a stream,
and follow the water downhill to where it bends sharply left.
Now start the climb uphill again to the obvious summit of
Sheeps
Tor, and the famous Pixies House cave. From the summit of
Sheeps Tor, with it's fine views over south western Dartmoor, take
the ridge down to the north to Narrator Plantation.
A gate here allows access into and through the trees where a path
heads north east to the road. Turn right at the road and a short walk
will bring you back to your starting point.
