With gorgeous views over the Dart Valley this walk also takes in a leat, a cross and a reservoir
DISTANCE: 4.8 miles (easy - one steep ascent and one stile)
NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Holne or Dartmeet
CAR PARKING: Venford Reservoir SX 685714
Starting at the car park on the west side of Venford Reservoir take the path away from the reservoir, which runs parallel to the road. You’ll soon spot Holne Moor Leat (SX 683714), which you’re going to follow around to Combestone Tor. Keep to the left of the leat which is the better path.
Holne Moor Leat, also known as Hamlyn’s Leat was cut in the early nineteenth century and used to supply water for the textile mills at Buckfastleigh.
The leat takes you away from the road, and gives lovely views up and down the Dart Valley and across to the pointy Sharp Tor. It wends back towards the road and turns in a sharp semi circle which is a marshy area. To bypass this just walk to the road and back around the other side of the marsh to the leat.
Not too far after this the leat takes a sharp right and you’ll see a path leading up the hill. Don’t take this one as it goes to the road; carry on following the leat until you come to the next path leading up the hill which will take you to the tor. Another marker for this turning point is a granite slab bridging the leat.
This steep ascent takes you up to Combestone Tor (SX 670718) at 356 metres.
When you’ve enjoyed the views, then leave via the car park. There is a well defined path in front of you heading straight up the hill, but Horn’s Cross to the left of this, so take the path that’s about ten o’clock to the wall.
This is a gentle ascent and you’ll come up over a rise and spot Horn’s Cross (SX 669711) in front of you. This cross is scheduled monument and is believed to waymark an old route for monks between South Brent and Hexworthy.
From Horn’s Cross take the path to the west where you will shortly find a boundary wall. This goes to your right, so follow it. The path will cross it so you’ll end up walking along with it on your left.
This stretch is across Holne Moor and you may spot old boundary marker stones inscribed RD/H for Richard Dawson, Holne dotted along the way. Further south are remains of the old tin mining industry, but that exploration is for another day.
The next destination, Vennford Reservoir should come into view and then you can get your bearings. The walk will go to the right, around the reservoir and then to Bench Tor, which you should see on a ridge behind it.
There are many tracks here so follow the boundary wall, keeping it on your right and wend your way down towards the reservoir. The wall heads too far to the right for our purposes so about halfway down find a track that will take you down the reservoir.
There is a fence all the way around the reservoir and a few entry points. Once you find the fence then follow it to the right until you find the stile in a corner at SX 683706.
You’re now in Venford Reservoir by a footbridge so enjoy the peaceful calm of the water and then go right and follow the footpath around the edge of the reservoir.
The reservoir was constructed in 1907, originally to bring water to Paignton, and covers an area of about 33 acres. There is a path around all of it, just over a mile, so worth exploring another time.
Ignore the next reservoir entry point, but the following one is a gate, so exit here and follow the fence up to the road and cross into the car park at SX 689709.
From here there is a path straight up from the car park, and two on the left. Take the upper left one and head up and along which will take you along the ridge to Bench Tor (SX 691717) at 313 metres.
Bench Tor is not just one tor, but a number of outcrops along the ridge. William Crossing gives a good description in his book Crossing’s Guide to Dartmoor.
“This consists of several piles, two of them being named in an old deed North Bench Tor and South Bench Tor respectively, which overlook the Gorge of the Dart. Another is known as Eagle Rock. Immediately below it is White Wood, and on the further side of the river Mil Tor Wood, which climbs the steep slope under the tor of that same name."
Standing on the end tor, it feels like you’re on top of the world with fabulous views all around. You can also look back over the route you’ve just walked, which is always satisfying.
Walk back over a few of the rocky outcrops and you’ll see a slightly lower path than the one you came up on along the ridge, so follow that one back and it will take you to the edge of the dam and the waterworks buildings (SX 688712). Here you can cross the dam, taking a last look over the reservoir, before arriving back at the car park.
© Gillian Adams 2019
For information on where to stay, eat and visit on Dartmoor, please see www.visitdartmoor.co.uk
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