SOUTH-WEST DARTMOOR: Yellowmead circles and Cuckoo Rock

Find out where the piskies like to play, as well as a stunning stone circle. Most of this four-and-a-half-mile walk is on open moorland and sometimes the ‘track’ disappears and then re-appears again, but the landmarks are very prominent.

DISTANCE: 4.5 miles (medium difficulty)

NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: The Royal Oak at Meavy (excellent food), or to a cafe or pub at Princetown or Yelverton.

FACILITIES: Nearest ones are at Burrator Dam, but Yelverton or Princetown are better.

CAR PARKING: There is some of off-road parking at the end of the road, near the scout hut. It does get busy here though so arrive early to bag a good spot.

Ever had the feeling that you’re being watched? It’s very eerie to look up and find no-one there, except for a few sheep, which was how I spent the first half of this walk. After being puzzled by the wary expressions of these sheep, I realised it was lambing season and they were being protective of their young ‘uns, so gave them a wide berth after that and the ‘watched’ feeling lessened.

After parking near the scout hut (SX 579673) - great point of reference as the trees are tall and can be seen for miles - I headed out and three quarters of a mile later was standing in the Yellowmead stone circles (SX 575678).

There are four circles within each other and it was restored in 1921 and is quite impressive. I wished for a step ladder to get a better angle for a photo, but had to make do with a small stone on the outer circle instead. Maybe one day I will take some steps to get the ultimate shot!

After snapping some pics I headed in the direction of the forest and the old blowing house (SX 580685). This is next to a stream as these were used in the tin smelting process as water-driven bellows would ‘blow’ air into the smelt. I also heard a cuckoo here, and apparently there is one often heard in these woods but never seen.

I crossed the stream and followed the fence up, along and down to another stream (Narrator Brook) and a signpost to ‘Deancombe’ - this last bit is quite steep. I took this pretty path to the left and came to a ‘meeting point’ of a few paths.

Go over the stream and up to a signpost and some old farm buildings. Deancombe Farm operated up until the 1930s and has gone to ruin but it gives lots of opportunities for some moody photos.

Onwards to Cuckoo Rock. I spotted a distinctive looking rock and assumed (rightly) this was it. It’s named as it was believed that the top of the rock looked like a cuckoo. There are a few myths about this rock, including it being a meeting place for Dartmoor piskies to dance in the moonlight. An ideal place for lunch!

After a sandwich I skirted around the edge of Combeshead Tor (SX 670718), though it’s not too far to the top if you wish to visit.

I headed around the tor on a path which gradually wended down to the water. After surprising both myself and an adder and with some deviations over the old mining remains I made it back across the stream and headed back over the top of the hill towards the tall trees and my car.