TWW 30th September 2025

 

By the time we reached the R/V, the mist and low cloud had burned off and the sun was shining brightly.  From the forest car park we headed across the road and down the drove lane.  Over Broad Down and on to the waterfall for coffee. 

Once refreshed, we headed on across the river, then west wards to Sandy Hole Pass.  We then turned away from the Dart and headed north to Statts House.  Though initially we had to fight our way through marsh grass and tussocks, we eventually find a track that took us in the right direction.

A quick pause for a “team photo” and a short detour to locate the start of the Winney’s Down peat pass before we headed northeast towards Sittaford Tor, pausing en route to survey the recumbent stone circle.  Lunch was taken on Sittaford Tor.

Once refuelled, we headed down hill to Grey Wethers, meeting not one, not two, but three people on the way (how dare they!).  From the double stone circles, we took the bridle way south past the Sheep Fold and Hartland Tor and back to Postbridge. Along the way, we observed numerous rocks with “knobbly bits”, known as xenoliths. On passing the shop, we decided it would be rude not to stop for an ice cream before returning to the cars, so we did.

 Phil

WW 24th September 2025

 

What do they say? "If at first do not succeed have one more go then give up altogether."

So, out from Whiteworks toward the end of another beautiful day. Easily this time across the mire and round to Goldsmith's. Perfect visibility into Whealham Bottom and on to the incised cross. Gently up the hill to Hand Hill Cross and a superb sunset - what could be nicer? Down, down to Nun's Cross Farm and a check on Seward's. Along the track and back.

A lovely evening to be out and about.

TWW 23rd September 2025

 

A highly select team set out from Smeardon Quarry on a wonderful September morning.

Up the road for a wee bit then down to check on the Green Man - all OK. Along, along by Little Combe Tor for a very nice swing. Over the bridge and up to a very enticing swimming pool. Softly up by Great Combe to pop out under Cox. Round the track and 'through' the OS anomaly - just where is that mapped enclosed land? Down to the Wedlake gate and through to cross the Colly Brook and a nice spot for a cuppa. The steady climb toward White was enhanced by huge field mushrooms. Soon by the flagpost and views to infinity and beyond. No red flag here but we could hear the pops and bangs from Bagga Tor. Down through more thufurs by Lower White to Grass Lane. Down to the clapper bridge over Broadmoor Brook and up. Time to check on Twyste; all seems just as it was, perhaps one day someone will turn it into a nice dwelling. Soon back to the cars and on to a most welcoming and somewhat quiet Peter Tavy Inn.

A really super morning to be out.

WW 17th September 2025

 

A few words, just a few words, they said.

Always best to have a plan. Out to Whiteworks, across the mire, Goldsmith's, and up to Hand Hill Cross for a very nice sunset - what could possibly go wrong? It had been softly drizzling all day, nothing special. So a perfect Dartmoory evening to set out across the atmospheric mire. All going well, but what is that? The small Swincombe is a roaring torrent - don't fancy that at all. So back round through all the workings to the track and up. What to do? What to do when a plan totally fails? Really, only one sensible thing to do.

Off to the pub!

TWW 16th September 2025

 

Many thanks for a very nice route Charlie.

The weather was obviously going to be a bit in and out today - and so it was. Out from Princetown car park where, sadly, the car parking machines were not working. And along, along to South Hessary with views afar and good notice looking into Cornwall of when the showers would arrive. Steadily down the track and a surprise. An enclosure deep in the Hart Tor Brook valley - one theory is that the plan is to fence off all the damp places. Round the track and up to Hart with great views. A bit breezy for a cuppa so down and over the iron bridge to Black Tor Falls - always a nice spot for a cuppa. Soon time to head up to Black Tor and on to Leeden. Round by the quarry and down to Fur Tor seeking shelter from a spot of rain. Up to the railway to Foggintor to have a very nice lunch at the campsite. The goodly folk did a thorough litter pick. Up round Foggintor and yes, there was a wild swimmer seemingly just lazing in the pool. Across and down to the track and back. No sign of diving beetles but the Meavy was bubbling away.

All dry and a nice September walk.

WW 10th September 2025

 

Brenda’s car was being repaired ready for its MOT so a decision was made to meet at Princetown car park. Off past the evasive soldiers' pond and on to Heart Tor, the ground now thoroughly wetted from all the recent rain, so different from a couple of weeks ago. The hope of a good sunset not yet materialising (in fact it never did). On down to Black Tor falls and along to the well gated aqueduct. Now it must be about 25 years since I have been to the top of Raddick  Hill - I now know why!  From this rather unspectacular top it was down to the cairn and up to Cramber Tor for a cuppa where a few hints of the rising moon started to show. On to the trig point where it did make a spectacular appearance from behind the clouds. A bit of difficulty finding the start of the track to South Hessary and thence on down to the Plume of Feathers where we were served drinks at 10.00 and lots of interest in where we had been.

  A good little round without any rain.

          Mike

TWW 9th September 2025

 

The usual intrepid crew of seven, plus one fourlegged friend, met at Ringmoor Cottage on a cool but dry day.  Heading off across the Down, searching for the path that should be there – well it was there when a similar route was followed  - oh yes then it was remembered that it hadn’t been a path but a stomp through the Heather and Gorse.  Oh well yes a path was eventually found even if it involved some sharp angular turns.  Picking up the wonderful stone row that is probably only a single one really despite some double looking stones – probably due to over enthusiastic ‘restoration’.

Down to Brisworthy stone circle and then off across Legis Lake - a bit soggy but fordable. Heading up to Legis Tor for a cuppa. But first a search for the elusive vermin trap. Well it was here last time we visited so it must still be here.  However the copious amounts of bracken made things  a little difficult. Then, hurrah, found by accident and nearly passed by!

A pleasant pause for that cuppa and a view of medieval long houses in the distance  - well it is my walk after all! Then heading on to find one of the farmsteads – lovely longhouse and other associated building. Had called ahead for coffee but no one at home!

Up and across to the Trig point next to Gutter Tor with the plaque acknowledging the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Teams.  A good place for a group photo.

Back across the Down and off to the Royal Oak.  Not visited for awhile and a bit of palaver over booking – well were we 6 or 8 or maybe even 7.  The food was good when it arrived, so all ok.   A shortish walk but at least the rain held off!

Jane

WW 3rd September 2025

 

After rather a stormy day not too bad at all to set out from Yelverton Golf Club - just the odd shower. Along the first hole with its beautifully manicured green, ably assisted by lots of sheep, and round the ancient mine. Along the tracks, steadily keeping distance from the noisy A386. To seek out some fungi, and there they were - super mushrooms. Gently up to the Iron Age hillfort and the trig point. Down to cross the busy road and thread a track towards to the 8th hole. The course map provides a fine guide; 10, 11, 12 and 13. The light softly eased, but, of course, then the bright moon came out to make it back.

A very nice evening.

TWW 2nd September 2025

It was supposed to be a nice gentle stepping stones and swim walk. When I checked it out last week the rivers were low, the stones easy to cross.

Then it rained………So change of plan. Still swim I thought. Sharrah Pool I thought.

Driving across the Moor, mist and rain, temperature 14 degrees. Oh dear!

Swimming togs left in the cars, up to Bench Tor. No nice views today.

Confusion of the old brain resulted in tramping through bracken and gorse as we came off the Tor the wrong side. Rescued by the Old Man of the  Moors we retraced our steps back up to Bench.

At last heading in the right direction we soon found the wall I was aiming for.

Down, down, slippy slidey in the warm rain to meet the nice clear path from New Bridge.

The Dart was very dramatic foaming like a soda stream. It would have been fun to have a dip but a bit scary. So coffee in the rain.

Then along, along, up and down, it seemed for ever but then the sun came out shining through the beautiful old trees some big ones fallen, taking the path with them.

Then up, up to Holne to enjoy lunch outside the pub, closed till Thursdays. No Tea Shop either till Wednesdays but a wonderful little Community Shop stocking everything.

Then the long trek along the road to the cars.

Not what I planned but exercise with your mates, good enough.

Stella