This walk over Walkhampton Common takes in three tors, a waterfall and a hidden pool
DISTANCE: 5.1 miles or 4 if you miss out the waterfall (moderate)
NEAREST REFRESHMENTS: Princetown
CAR PARKING: The south west entrance to Princetown or the main car park
From Princetown I’ve walked the old railway track many times, or along the popular path to South Hessary Tor. The south west track, however, towards Hart Tor was unknown territory so I set about exploring and found a lovely circular route.
Since first doing this walk, I’ve now followed the route a number of times in different seasons, and it’s always marshy on the stretch between Cramber Tor and just past the trig point, so this is best walked after a dry spell, if you don’t like the ground too wet.
From the parking area first head south about 100 yards and then south west once you spot the wide path to Hart Tor. At first you’ll see open moorland but soon Hart Tor will come into view and you can wend your way down to it.
Hart Tor (SX 581720), at 531 metres is a very pleasant tor to visit. From here you can see the tors that surround Burrator in front you and Cramber Tor to the south east. You’ll also see the path that leads to Cramber Tor, but it you’re visiting the waterfall first then continue following the path down to the south west.
On the way down you’ll spot a lovely double stone row on your left at (SX 577717). It looks very impressive with Black Tor behind it. There’s also a cairn and a single stone row in the vicinity.
Continue along the path until it comes to a ford across the Meavy, but don’t cross it. Keep following the river down until you get to the ruins of an old tin mining building. Keeping your balance, carefully walk down the wall until you reach the ground, or walk around it, then cross over the river on the iron bridge and Black Tor falls (SX 574716) are on your right.
They are sometimes hard to photograph due to the vegetation, but are a pretty spot for a coffee break. There’s also a lovely view south west towards Stanlake and Raddick Plantations that surround Burrator Reservoir.
Once you’ve enjoyed the serenity of the falls, then make your way back up to Hart Tor and from here follow the path south east to Cramber Tor.
On the way to Cramber Tor you’ll cross Hart Tor Brook. It’s a bit wide and marshy if you stick to the path, so I went to the left and found a narrow place to the cross the water. From here it’s uphill to Cramber Tor (SX 584712), where you’ll be rewarded with lovely views across the reservoir.
Cramber Tor stands at 418 metres and lies on the edge of a marshy basin. After a very hot summer I also encountered a persistent horse fly here which stayed with me all the way to the trig point!
From Cramber Tor head east towards the trig point. There is another path, lower down and heading away from the tor, but ignore this one and keep going on the one you arrived on.
You’ll see the trig point getting closer to you, so keep an eye out on the right for clumps of undergrowth as they mark Cramber Pool. There are a few animal tracks heading to the right so pick one these and follow it to Cramber Pool (SX 589711). This hidden pool is another remnant of the tin mining works.
Head back to the main path and to the trig point which sits at 445 metres. You’ll get a nice view of Princetown from here. It’s about half a mile to the main track from the trig point, so continue along the path, and marsh should start to peter out. When you crest the hill you’ll see the boundary wall come into view.
When you reach this good track turn left in the direction of Princetown, but first admire the boundary marker stone by the wall.
On the way back, you’ll see South Hessary Tor (SX 597724). This is a well visited tor has a metal spike on top which is known as ‘Excalibur’, a nineteenth century boundary marker.
The last stretch of path will take you off the moor, through a gate and into Princetown and emerges by the Plume of Feathers pub.
NB: I've used the images from all seasons, hence why the moor looks green in some and brown in others.
Below is a video of the walk done in winter (February); it's a mixture of photos and video.
© Gillian Adams 2020
For information on where to stay, eat and visit on Dartmoor, please see www.visitdartmoor.co.uk
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