This easy stroll along a fairly even path takes you to Birch Tor for some spectacular views and a nice spot for a picnic!
DISTANCE: Just over one mile easy walking
NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Warren House Inn or Postbridge
CAR PARKING: Off the B3212 at SX 682819
It was one of those rare blue sky Autumn days and I was itching to get out onto the moors. Unfortunately a foot injury meant that the longer walks I’d been saving for a sunny day were left untouched and I looked for a shorter easier route which still had some dramatic views. I found them here.
The path starts at the back of the car park. If you’re standing in the entrance with your back to the road it’s in roughly a 12 o’clock direction to you. From here it’s a narrow track which links to a wider one.
On top of the hill you will see a large pile of rocks and the path takes you up to these and then along the top to Birch Tor (SX 686814).
From here if you look south west you can see the white building of the Warren House Inn and the remains the old Vitifier and Goldern Dagger mines which opened in the late eighteenth century and ceased working during the first third of the 20th century.
Behind you to the south east is Hamel Down Tor and the large ancient settlement of Grimspound. To the north west is Fernworthy. Once you have enjoyed the views you can retrace your steps back to the car.
But if want a little more challenging then you can circle around to Bennett’s Cross. The length of the walk is the same, there are just some steep up-and-down bits!
Alternative return route: From Birch Tor you should see a car park along from the Warren House Inn at SX 681818 and the path goes from Birch Tor (the lower stack of rocks) directly to this and Bennett’s Cross is next to it.
There is also what looks like a large rectangle on the ground an the path goes past this on the right. The landscape is visibly marked by the mining and while the path is narrow, you get to walk through some of the remains of the open-cast pits.
Once you reach car park you’ll see Bennett’s Cross SX 681817 to the right. There are a couple of theories as to the origin of the cross. Some believe it marks the boundary between Chagford and North Bovey, and later used as a marker for Vitifier Mine and Headland Warren as WB (Warren Bounds) is carved on one side.
Other theories are that it was a waymarker for a local Benedictine Order or named after a local miner. Whatever the reason it’s here I think it’s quite impressive standing at about 1.73 metres. From here simply follow the road back up to the car park.
© Gillian Adams 2013
For information on where to stay, eat and visit on Dartmoor, please see www.visitdartmoor.co.uk
To view my Dartmoor walks ebook click here, and my Dartmoor colouring book click here