meldon reservoir to high willhays

Tagged: Black-a-Tor Copse, Dartmoor, Dinger Tor, Fordsland Ledge, High Willhays, hike, hiking, Lints Tor, Meldon, reservoir, walk, walking, Yes Tor. High Willhays is the highest point on Dartmoor and in the UK south of the Brecon Beacons. Intermediate. Walking up Longstone Hill we saw our first signs of life. Copyright | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Statement, Find New Walking Friends & Walking Groups, Questions & Answers about Walking & Hiking, load all 24 walk photos from Walk de177 Yes Tor and High Willhays from Meldon Reservoir. stony and bends round to the right. particular ignoring several bridges, until you reach the reservoir, then As I walked across the dam, water and machinery could be heard rumbling away deep beneaththe concrete superstructure. However I was pleasantly surprised by a bright winters daywith very good walking and some wonderfullong distance views. Please indicate where each photo was taken. The walk starts at the car park at Meldon Reservoir and takes you to the 621 metres (2,039 ft) summit via Longstone Hill and Black Tor. x.type = 'text'; (Guide Resolution = 300dpi. TMDH Limited 2000-2023. The highest point on Dartmoor is High Willhays Tor. Meldon Reservoir is situated northwest of Yes Tor , and northwest of High Willhays . created. Leave a comment. You Yes Tor is also known as an English Nuttall (237th highest in England, 412th highest in England & Wales). 400 m. 410 m. Intermediate Hiking Tour From Parking. Meldon Reservoir and Black Tor is a 4.6 mile loop trail located near Okehampton, Devon, England that features a lake and is rated as moderate. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); See/ShowPassword Maximum daytime temperature: 3 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: -1 degrees Celsius. Red-a-ven Brook and Yes Tor. I slotted in behind some granite and got scoffing . The military have been using Dartmoor for over 200 years and this walk is partly within a live firing range. High Willhays is within one of Dartmoor's Danger Zones, areas used periodically by the British Army for exercises. 7. High Willhays is the highest point in Dartmoor National Park and and the highest point in the county of Devon. This email address is protected by JavaScript. Dave my border collie sat still by my side, ears pricked upright in a state of alertness. High Willhays in Dartmoor is the highest mountain in the south west of England. Arriving at the car park next to the stunning Meldon Reservoir at around 11am we sorted out our various bits of kit for the day's walk and headed off across the dam wall at the head of the reservoir. One of the beautiful reservoirs which is home to many water species and also the location is naturally beautiful for a picnic. go4mailvariable=('walk_pics' + '@' + go4mailvariable) It is part of South West England, bounded by Cornwall to the west, Somerset to the north-east and Dorset to the east. The sharpness of the fractured rocks, the twists and turns of every footstep, water running from every crevice. The highest point on Dartmoor is High Willhays Tor. Im not afraid of heights so I did relish the occasional glimpse of the river some 150 feet below my boots, through gaps in the wooden decking. All in all a very pleasant few hours. photos. A circular and fairly strenuous walk through typical Dartmoor landscape in Devon. The gorge is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its geology, flora and fauna. From here the rocks forming the summit of High Willhays will be obvious lying a further kilometre or so to the east. //--> The odd shaped lumps of rock strewn across so many of the South West's tors are collectively known as 'clitter'. The track eventually becomes more After the last Courtenay owner fell foul of Henry VIII in 1539, the castle declined into a ruin. Before Ordnance Survey measured accurately the heights of High Willhays and Yes Tor many people believed Yes Tor was the higher of the two, and it was only the local farmers and moormen that believed the contrary. Sorry, but your browser does not appear to be accepting our cookies. stream He suggested instead that the name derived from gwylfa, a watching place, noting its similarity with Brown Willy, the name of the highest hill on nearby Bodmin Moor, and suggested that a watch for beacon fires used to be kept here. Wistmans Wood is in the Dart river valley and has views of wild Devon that you wont find anywhere else in the country. Your email address will not be published. As an Amazon Associate I point There is a warning out for the land to the west of the reservoir as it is now private so I therefore enjoyed an up and down over Longstone Hill. This Dartmoor adventure was far from over, I had one more ace up my sleeve; the impressive, the immense, the towering Meldon Viaduct. Address: Meldon Reservoir, Okehampton, Devon. It is worth mentioning here that this walk is in parts of the Okehampton firing range and it is worth checking the government website for firing times before you walk. When you get to the large rock, there is a The two peaks are around three miles south of Okehampton and 1.5 miles south east of Meldon Reservoir, so can be visited in tandem with Okehampton and Meldon. Descent: 04:07. 3.4 km/h. Large red words on the OS Map spell out a warning to hikers and tourists alike: Danger Area restricted access. For anyone unfamiliar with firing ranges, reservoir covers some 57 acres. You begin at Meldon Reservoir car park, where you will be immediately greeted by sweeping views of Meldon Reservoir, and an impressive dam, which reminds me of the one in . google_ad_height = 600; A party of D of E students nearing the summit had the alternative effect, pleased no doubt to find the correct summit. Your email address will not be published. the mist comes down, orientation could become difficult. Undaunted, 16 ramblers gathered at the start point to the water (SX 562913).Take the left fork. top of page. One of the highlights of a landscape with an abundance of rock is the making of cairns, small monuments of stones, dedicated to long forgotten causes. Construction of the dam started in 1970 and was completed in 1972.The I have never before, in my long and eclectic career, been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming War Horse on Dartmoor.Steven Spielberg. Ansum! Availability can also be checked at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dartmoor-firing-programme. Begun soon after the Norman Conquest as a motte and bailey castle with a stone keep, it was converted into a sumptuous residence in the 14th century by Hugh Courtenay, Earl of Devon, much of whose work survives. Start by crossing the dam wall and taking the initial zig zag path up the hillside ahead. High Willhays is often mistakenly referred to as the highest point in England south of Kinder Scout. In 1912, William Crossing, writer and documenter, said that the name High Willes had . Required fields are marked *. Photos cannot do the location justice. High Willhays is classified as an English Mountain (Hewitt) (166th highest in England, 289th highest in England & Wales) High Willhays is also known as an English Nuttall (228th highest in England, 397th highest in England & Wales) and an English Marilyn (49th highest in England, 727th highest in the UK). NB. Walkers are welcomed when the range is not being used and to avoid /* walks */ To our delight we discovered that it lies to the the West of Yes Tor and High Willhays beside the West Okement River, providing us with a delightful circular route encompassing the two highest peaks on the Moor (which many classify as mountains). Across the river valley, on Corn Ridge the sound of a voice could be heard, shouting loud and clear. Really hope you're all ok!! Descend to the right of Black Tor to the Meldon Dam Car Park: OS Grid Ref: SX 56154 91787 Longstone Hill: OS Grid Ref: SX 56942 90492 Yes Tor: OS Grid Ref: SX 58072 90155 High Willhays: OS Grid Ref: SX 58032 89217 Black Tor: OS Grid Ref: SX 56627 89490 West Okement River: OS Grid Ref: SX 56052 89827 Meldon Reservoir: OS Grid Ref: SX 55969 90842 Meldon Viaduct: OS Grid Ref: SX 56444 92302. feet have not always followed the same paths, so worn routes have not been Time was fading as it always does so I walked across the viaduct, wire mesh safety barriers prevent you from getting too close to the edge. hand outcrop which is Black Tor. Yesterday we decided we needed a Dartmoor fix. %PDF-1.5 google_ad_width = 120; The views from Yes Tor and along the ridge to The trees are gnarled and stunted growing through the moss covered boulders, which gives the woodland its magical appearance. All information on this view route as a dynamic Ordnance Survey map click here. Fernworthy is a great place to Discover the Dartmoor Story. There is also a spectacular dam with wonderful views over the West Okement valley. As we ascended the rain clouds seemed to hang over our destination and were beginning to clear the higher we got, however just as we approached Yes Tor the weather came rolling in once more from Okehampton and we were seemingly chased by ominous dark clouds. 1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map(the ones with orange/yellow covers): 1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map(the ones with pink/magenta covers): Some Photos and Pictures from Walk de139 Yes Tor, High Willhays and Black Tor from Meldon Reservoir, The bridge at the southern end of Meldon Reservoir, West Mill Tor from Yes Tor with Okehampton and North Devon in background, Ascending Longstone Hill from Meldon Reservoir with Sourton Tors on the horizon, . The dam at the lower end of the Meldon Reservoir. [email address] (NB. Detailed maps and GPS navigation for the hike: "Yes Tor & High Willhays loop from Meldon Reservoir" 03:40 h 12.1 km komoot Discover Route planner Features Discover hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dartmoor-firing-programme. The reservoir is surrounded by steep sided banks covered with trees and gorse bushes. Now dont imagine for one moment this would be an easy walk in thick mist, pouring rain, ice and hail. 3h 37m Moderate 4.6 (18) to the riverbank. Walking up to the reservoir is pretty straight forward. All following each other, like sheep do. Meldon Reservoir, or Meldon, is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the north west section of the National Park. The reservoir is fed by West Okement River that continues north after the reservoir and runs through Okehampton, where it meets the East Okement River. Climb to the highest point on Dartmoor on this splendid circular walk in the Dartmoor . The lichens and mosses that drape the trees are nationally important and grow here in this unique clean air woodland. If you're coming from the south, the A386 brings you here too. It sits on the River Avon which rises just over four miles away NW close to Ryder's Hill. Completing this walk will also take you to the top of Yes Tor at 619m (2031ft). A vast dam wall rises from the floor of the West Okement Valley. x.type = 'password'; DICE Dental International Congress and Exhibition. Tracks across High Willhays to Yes Tor. Copyright | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Statement, Find New Walking Friends & Walking Groups, Questions & Answers about Walking & Hiking, load all 29 walk photos from Walk de139 Yes Tor, High Willhays and Black Tor from Meldon Reservoir. More than a stepping stone to High Willhays and Yes Tor, Meldon Reservoir is in high open moorland, almost 300 metres above sea level. The city of Exeter is the county town. The reservoir supplies water to north and west Devon, and is used for trout fishing. 420 m. Climb to the highest point on Dartmoor on this splendid circular walk in the Dartmoor National Park. x.type = 'text'; Willhays, thanks to modern surveying methods. Yesterday we decided we needed a Dartmoor fix. I walked west to Black Tor, hoping to find a nice spot for lunch. Available for both RF and RM licensing. There are the remains of extensive peat works to the southeast of Lyd Head including the evocatively named Bleak House. Obviously if you do exceptionally come across anything Wistman's Wood is an ancient forest that has largely been left to grow wild, free of destruction, or shaping by humans or large animals. Actually the top of Yes Tor was very pleasant for me, but if you want a quiet unspoilt area, then this isn't it. A short walk south of the car park brings you to the impressive Meldon Dam constructed in 1972. highest summit on Dartmoor until piped at the post by its companion High Yes Tor is the one with the trig. The city of Exeter is the county town. Littered with UXBs and danger! 13.6 km 4:05 h 410 m 410 m meldon reservoir carpark, up to high willhays, camp, down to the car park again in a loop. The trail is. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching. Overview 1. Black Tor overlooks the West Okement River and this view offered peaceful shelter from the inquisitive autumnal wind, I remembered that same wind at Bignor and Chanctonbury Ring. {YwEc_P!''6G/b,U8G-EI_P//i\6}2,dO1}zIu80Adh)9#-Sy4VI+a4:.d and we shall do our best to publish them. xYK7h*ZffwLr98^qmlHSil3;zT}z? It has an abundance of archaeology and is a haven for wildlife including some rare species. . Triangulation is basically a mathematical process of measuring angles to other locations that makes accurate map making possible. In 1912, William Crossing, writer and documenter, said that the name High Willes had been thought to have derived from the word huel or wheal meaning mine, but he did not think that very likely as old mine workings were invariably located near to streams. High Willhays - Wild Running High Willhays Distance: 8 miles (12.5km) Ascent: 541 metres Start/finish: Meldon Dam car park, EX20 4LU Cross the dam and turn R onto the Meldon Reservoir shore path to the far end and then up the West Okement River to the woodland (2.1 miles/3.4km). Hiking info, trail maps, and 55 trip reports from High Willhays (621 m) in the Dartmoor of United Kingdom. Branch off to the left (SX 570905). UV: Low;. Hisnose sniffed the calm air and his eyes scanned the distant valley slopes. From Meldon Reservoir car park, climb the steps next to the toilets and The walk starts from Meldon Reservoir. However High Willhays is in an area of the northern plateau of the moor where the exposed rock has noticeably fewer of the large feldspar megacrysts that are typical of most of Dartmoor's tors. stream A short walk south of the car park brings you to the impressive Meldon Dam constructed in 1972. } else { go4mailvariable='go4awalk.com' The remains of the largest castle in Devon, in a stunning setting on a wooded spur above the rushing River Okement. Our eldest wasn't looking where she was going and ended up kneed deep in a bog, to our great amusement and bless her, she took it with good grace. #dartmoor #wildcampinguk #gotthekennylook #wintercamping The summit of Yes Tor is marked by an Ordnance Survey Trig Point. You begin to question your judgement and route, if new to walking this area. they are not awash with unexploded munitions. 3h 47m Moderate 4.1 (23) Granite Way: Okehampton to Lydford Dartmoor National Park Length: 14.3 km Est. Over 151 feet high in placesand now part of the Granite Way, a recognised cycle route. Ah, the penny drops, so this will be the summit then. I rearranged a few flat pieces of granite, added a couple of stones and stepped back carefully, having made this part of the moor a few artificially inches higher. rocky outcrops below, which overlook the valley with the West Okement River The path now starts to get very faint and to I had an idea what to expect but until I stood directly beneath the towering superstructure I really didnt know justhow awesome it would be. View down to Meldon Viaduct. Reaching the summit of High Willhays 621 meters above sea level, Black-A-Tor Copse is one of the best examples of. . The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching. Commercial quarrying (originally for limestone) started at Meldon around 200 years ago. The average height of the moor, however, is around 1,200ft (366m). You can safely say I was in aweCurving gently across thevalley and old mine workings, the Meldon Viaduct is a bold statement in an already strikinglandscape. Oakhampton Military Firing Range. The trail is. High Willhays or, according to some authors, High Willes is the highest point on Dartmoor, Devon, at 621 metres (2,039 feet) above sea level, and the highest point in the United Kingdom south of the Brecon Beacons. The reservoir sits behind this dam wall and extends to the foot of . The geology of High Willhays, like most of Dartmoor, consists of granite intruded about 280 million years ago. I parked at Meldon Reservoir, which has a car park and toilets. At the next fork (SX 568910), go left again. The authors state that the name may simply be a compound of high and well (meaning spring), though they admit that the additional syllable at the end is hard to explain. High Willhays is just South of Yes Tor and there is a very clear track leading up to it. hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the Hiking The National Trust's Lydford Gorge, Devon, is the deepest gorge in the South West and has a spectacular 30m waterfall. relevant compass bearings. Construction of the dam started in 1970 and was completed in 1972.The reservoir covers some 57 acres. Yes Tor & High Willhays loop from Meldon Reservoir. We stopped here a while and I decided that it was still just about warm enough for me to take an Autumn dip in the West Okement. . RM 2BCCM52 - The spillway of Meldon Dam (1972), showing overflow of the West Olement River from Meldon Reservoir, Dartmoor National Park, Devon, UK. if (x.type === 'password') { All in all we had a very pleasant day and everyone agreed that it had been really enjoyable despite the rainy weather. . best route you can. point and a radio aerial. after themselves. To our delight we discovered that it lies to the the West of Yes Tor and High Willhays beside the West Okement River, providing us with a delightful circular ro. } else { . It has an abundance of archaeology and is a haven for wildlife including some rare species. Meldon Reservoir Enjoy a waterside walk around this lovely reservoir on Dartmoor. Only when beyond the false summit (the cairnvisible from the west) do you then see the trig point and radio mast. Click This descent was fairly steep, we were aiming for the Southerly most point of the trees, skirting the edge of the wood, meaning that a substantial amount of Bouldering was required. The waterfall trail is a moderate circular walk of about an hour on a mostly one-way route. The odd shaped lumps of rock strewn across so many of the South West's tors are collectively known as 'clitter'. Meldon Reservoir is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the northwest section of the National Park. High Willhays, the highest point on Dartmoor. Willhays and Yes Tor (Dartmoor), To earn from qualifying purchases. load all 24 walk photos from Walk de177 Yes Tor and High Willhays from Meldon Reservoir, Send us your photographs and pictures from your walks and hikes. We put on our spare jumpers and pulled our coats about us as we ate our sandwiches huddled together beneath our granite shelter. The River Lyd rises at Lyd Head by Corn Ridge to the north of Woodcock Hill. Explore it on the map and plan your own route to High Willhays. To contribute to go4awalk.com or to contact us about anything at all see Talk to Us. The reservoir sits below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England. The weather wasnt set to change any time soon, grey lead sky but no mist or rain forecast, so plenty of time to explore beyond High Willhays. In fact Black Mountain (703m) on the border between Herefordshire (England) and Powys (Wales) is considerably higher than both Crowden Head (Kinder Scout) (636m) and High Willhays (621m). With the exception of the tors, much of this walk is man-made. Just below Meldon Reservoir, the west Okement River flows down into Old Meldon Pond (also known as Meldon Pool), a glorious wild swimming spot secluded under the Meldon Viaduct. As the army use the section of Dartmoor which includes High Willhays and Yes Tor it is worth checking the free phone number (0800 4584568) to see if it is in use. They each have a certain attraction and charm, perhaps thats the engineer in me looking at things. 2020 by Mum on Dartmoor. Either distracted by food, weather or the MOD firing guns! There are intermittent . I dont think these intrusions detract from the beauty of the moors. Please send them as email attachments (configured for any computer) along with your name to: