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. I took a slight detour to High Willhays and came back via the more interesting Yes Tour. through the gate turn left to the reservoir dam. Apparently there used to be a circular walk around the reservoir but now only the path along the southern shore is open. Meldon Reservoir on the northwest slopes of Dartmoor was the latest one, constructed in 1972. Unlike sunsets that donthold his attention for long, this working landscape captivated him whilst I watched and ate my humble lunch. x.type = 'password'; The dam at the lower end of the Meldon Reservoir. Meldon Reservoir - West Okement River Circular Dartmoor National Park Length: 5.1 km Est. 6500 trig points were constructed and many still survive today though modern technology has rendered them obsolete; just a folly now; a nod to the 1930s map makers. Once I had found the correct road to Meldon Reservoir the route was very straightforward. } 420 m. Dartmoor ponies added to the tranquil scene. In a previous life I was fortunate to be able to work in a water treatment plant, so I have a good understandingof all that is hidden below. 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. Your email address will not be published. This email address is protected by JavaScript. google_ad_slot = "2715819971"; The waterfall trail is a moderate circular walk of about an hour on a mostly one-way route. However I was pleasantly surprised by a bright winters daywith very good walking and some wonderfullong distance views. I had found the perfect spot to take in all that is Dartmoor once more. google_ad_height = 600; It's 621 metres or 2,039 feet above sea level. High Willhays is near the northwestern edge of Dartmoor, about 2.5 km ( 112 miles) south east of Meldon Reservoir and about 5 km (3 miles) south of the town of Okehampton. 6. Your email address will not be published. Meldon Reservoir is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the northwest section of the National Park. Sunrise: 06:51; Sunset: 18:05. var x = document.getElementById('password'); The city of Exeter is the county town. 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. High Willhays is often mistakenly referred to as the highest point in England south of Kinder Scout. . 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. Commercial quarrying (originally for limestone) started at Meldon around 200 years ago. Willhays, thanks to modern surveying methods. Dartmoor had always conjured up images of bleak moorland, high tors, deep marshes and swirling mists. 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 below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England. Recommended. The highest point on Dartmoor is High Willhays Tor. Photos cannot do the location justice. Last ditch attempt to save Meldon Gorge. The lichens and mosses that drape the trees are nationally important and grow here in this unique clean air woodland. For those unsure as to the purpose of the humble trig point, these were constructed in the 1930s to help with the retriangulation of Great Britain. At the north end by the car park the Meldon Dam (1972) is a striking photo opportunity, while you can take a picnic by the water on a sunny day and watch fishers catching brown trout. 2 0 obj 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. #1 Hi, We want to walk to Yes Tor and High Willhays starting from the car park at Meldon Reservoir. It is part of South West England, bounded by Cornwall to the west, Somerset to the north-east and Dorset to the east. 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. . The highest part of the moor lies in the northeast corner just south of the A30, where it rises to 2,037ft (621m) at High Willhays, seen from this walk. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The car park at the east end of Meldon Reservoir. It's easy to get to the start of this walk as it's just off the A30, a major road linking Exeter to Cornwall and going over the top of Dartmoor. Meldon Reservoir This was a pretty 7 mile circular trail which began at Meldon Reservoir and included a climb to the summit of High Willhays before descending to the West Okement River. Yes Tor & High Willhays loop from Meldon Reservoir is an intermediate Hiking Tour. Walking up High Willhays. One of the beautiful reservoirs which is home to many water species and also the location is naturally beautiful for a picnic. The River Lyd rises at Lyd Head by Corn Ridge to the north of Woodcock Hill. RM 2BCCM52 - The spillway of Meldon Dam (1972), showing overflow of the West Olement River from Meldon Reservoir, Dartmoor National Park, Devon, UK. Slowly and methodically sheep began to move from right to left, first just a few and then a few more, then perhaps twenty, now forty, must be a hundred. function myFunction() { The weather was nice and we enjoyed the rare pleasure of sitting outside of our tent for a bit, rather than rushing inside to escape cold and rain as so often is the . Across the river valley, on Corn Ridge the sound of a voice could be heard, shouting loud and clear. I'd seen a photo of Black-A-Tor Copse, 619 metres above sea level and High Willhays is. [email address] (NB. There is also a spectacular dam with wonderful views over the West Okement valley. feet have not always followed the same paths, so worn routes have not been (Guide Resolution = 300dpi. The city of Exeter is the county town. 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, . go4awalk.com and go4awalk.co.uk are registered trademarks of TMDH Limited. From Meldon Viaduct I retraced my steps back towards the car park at the reservoir. View down to Meldon Viaduct. I had always imagined the walk to Yes Tor would be a battle against the elements, a challenge of man verses mire; boots verses bog. I'd seen a photo of Black-A-Tor Copse SX566 890 on Instagram and thought it'd be a lovely place to take my camera. . <> The waterfall trail is a moderate circular walk of about an hour on a mostly one-way route. Climb to the highest point on Dartmoor on this splendid circular walk in the Dartmoor National Park. Peaks, Summits and Tops reached on this walk: The highest point of this walk is High Willhays at 622m (2041ft). Tiny rapidly moving dots scoured the landscape in perfect harmony. Start: Undaunted, 16 ramblers gathered at the start point Yes Tor is also known as an English Nuttall (237th highest in England, 412th highest in England & Wales). The path diverts briefly around a walled area Nothing too fancy, just a flat rock with a view. 2. To reach the trailhead for the High Willhayes and Yes Tor Circular Walk from Okehampton, drive west on West Street/B3260 for 3.2 km and make a left to continue on for 0.3 km. undefined on the OS map. Yes Tor is 2031ft (619m) and See Help > FAQs - Logging On for details on how to enable cookies in your browser. Meldon Reservoir, or Meldon, is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the north west section of the National Park. The Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society has seen 19 attacks in 2023 already Dog owners have been urged to keep their dogs under control on Dartmoor after a spate of attacks on sheep. The undisputed highest point in Dartmoor and the South West. Head to the left of these and you will see the The military have been using Dartmoor for over 200 years and this walk is partly within a live firing range. 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. Meldon Reservoir Toilets S, 181, 0.044 km 290 m Contour Ring, Meldon Tor E, 109, 0.149 km Meldon Tor E, 108, 0.158 km South Down North-East SW, 217, 0.250 km . 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. Half-Day Surf Experience in Newquay (1 x 2 hour lesson) - All Abilities Welcome. Then cut across boggy marsh . A walk in Dartmoor National Park, Devon, South West England, South West England, Meldon Reservoir - Longstone Hill - Yes Tor - High Willhays - Dinger Tor - Brim Beck - Kneeset Nose - Sandy Ford - West Okement River - Black-a-Tor Copse - Vellake Weir - Meldon Reservoir. Meldon Hill and Nattadon Hill are both popular with walkers, with a circular walk enabling you to take on both hills or each one independently. 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. Once I had found the correct road to Meldon Reservoir the route was very straightforward. A vast dam wall rises from the floor of the West Okement Valley. Parking at Meldon Reservoir SX561 918 (a pay and display carpark) we headed out of the carpark and turned left along the footpath . 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. Descent: We paid 3 per car for the day 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. You Some is over open ground and although well walked, High Willhays in Dartmoor is the highest mountain in the south west of England. Light snow changing to overcast by late morning. This site was designed with the . earn from qualifying purchases. I settled there for 10 minutes and enjoyed the views over North Devon. Follow the track, pick my way around the granite boulders and arrive 619 metres above sea level. This Dartmoor adventure was far from over, I had one more ace up my sleeve; the impressive, the immense, the towering Meldon Viaduct. 12.1 km. The trail is. #dartmoor #wildcampinguk #gotthekennylook #wintercamping We all walk at a slightly different pace so use the slider to calculate the time you will take on the walk. Over 151 feet high in placesand now part of the Granite Way, a recognised cycle route. For help see Help. 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. Hi everyone!!! We were now surrounded by clouds giving us the perfect opportunity to teach our eldest (who is hoping to achieve her Bronze Duke Of Edinburgh award) some highly important lessons in using a compass. The gorge is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its geology, flora and fauna. %PDF-1.5 If visibility is clear, you should have no Either distracted by food, weather or the MOD firing guns! difficulty in orientating yourself but just in case, head just north of west The reservoir sits below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England. A vast dam wall rises from the floor of the West Okement Valley. [5], High Willhays is near the northwestern edge of Dartmoor, about .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}2.5km (1+12 miles) south east of Meldon Reservoir and about 5km (3 miles) south of the town of Okehampton. Trending; . 4. 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. The trees are gnarled and stunted growing through the moss covered boulders, which gives the woodland its magical appearance. highest summit on Dartmoor until piped at the post by its companion High See this Tour and others like it, or plan your own with komoot! It has an abundance of archaeology and is a haven for wildlife including some rare species. Construction of the dam started in 1970 and was completed in 1972.The reservoir covers some 57 acres. Before walking on the firing ranges you need to check online or by telephone for the published firing dates and on the day of your walk you should always check for red flags flying from the observation points along the marked range boundaries. x.type = 'text'; the mist comes down, orientation could become difficult. Please enable javascript in your browser preferences). A shepherd on a quad bike was commanding three sheepdogs. It sits on the River Avon which rises just over four miles away NW close to Ryder's Hill. View south up the valley of the West Okement River from High Willhays. The more impressive, but slightly lower, Yes Tor is about 1km (58 mile) north along this ridge, which is known as "the roof of Devon".[6]. 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. Intermediate. Continue from the trig. MELDON RESERVOIR TO HIGH WILLHAYS VIA A ROUNDABOUT ROUTE START POINT: MELDON RES GRID REFERENCE: 562917 John Skinner had planned a route from Meldon Reservoir going upto the Moors via Okehampton Station but F&M restrictions put paid to that and he had to rejig the walk to avoid restricted areas. } else { Leave a comment. (Guide Resolution = 300dpi. You can also submit photos from walk de177 Yes Tor and High Willhays from Meldon Reservoir via our Facebook Page. 8. <> 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. Heheard them too. google_ad_width = 120; The dam was constructed in 1957 to provide water to the South Hams and the reservoir itself covers around 50 acres. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. the PDF logo above to give a printable version of this walk without the I walked west to Black Tor, hoping to find a nice spot for lunch. 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. Devon is a county of England, reaching from the Bristol Channel in the north to the English Channel in the south. High Willhays are very good and the West Okement River valley you follow The lichens and mosses that drape the trees are nationally important and grow here in this unique clean air woodland. YES TOR, HIGH WILLHAYS, BLACK TOR WEST OKEMENT VALLEY AND MELDON RESERVOIR START POINT: MELDON RESERVOIR CAR PARK GRID REF: 562917 DISTANCE: 8 MILES This 8 mile walk up to the highest point on Dartmoor was led by Fran Allen on 15th August 04 and despite the earlier rain in the Plymouth area and the grading of 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. Dartmoor is bleak, unforgiving, stunningly beautiful and at the same time a cruel vicious landscape. . I parked at Meldon Reservoir, which has a car park and toilets. Obvious paths on the lower slopes make pleasant walking but these become intermittent on the higher slopes, the wild ponies being the most likely creators of many. Settling down on a flat slab of granite the wind died away to silence, no longer tugging at my collar. Sorry, but your browser does not appear to be accepting our cookies. 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). The route is beautiful with stunning views over the county from Yes Tor and High Willhays (the highest point) before a welcome descent to Black Tor and down Homerton Hill to the finish at Meldon reservoir. High Willhays is 2037ft (621m). The reservoir sits below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England. hand outcrop which is Black Tor. % NB. High Willhays is within one of Dartmoor's Danger Zones, areas used periodically by the British Army for exercises. Meldon There is a large cairn marking its summit. Oakhampton Military Firing Range. Large red words on the OS Map spell out a warning to hikers and tourists alike: Danger Area restricted access. Tagged: Black-a-Tor Copse, Dartmoor, Dinger Tor, Fordsland Ledge, High Willhays, hike, hiking, Lints Tor, Meldon, reservoir, walk, walking, Yes Tor. 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. after themselves. There is also a wonderful stretch that is great for swimming in the summer, pictured left. view route as a dynamic Ordnance Survey map click here. There are a few very pleasant looking pubs on route in to Okehampton but I was not able to test them! Only when beyond the false summit (the cairnvisible from the west) do you then see the trig point and radio mast. Willhays. Hiking info, trail maps, and 55 trip reports from High Willhays (621 m) in the Dartmoor of United Kingdom. Yes Tor is 619 metres above sea level and High Willhays is 621 making them the highest summits South of the Peak District. Proudly created with Wix.com. Gemma A circular and fairly strenuous walk through typical Dartmoor landscape in Devon. Branch off to the left (SX 570905). The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching. The reservoir once a natural now flooded valley and the awesome (yes I will use that word) viaduct is very much man-made over nature. As I walked across the dam, water and machinery could be heard rumbling away deep beneaththe concrete superstructure. Meldon Reservoir. route through the boulder field becomes clear. High Willhays (/wliz, wlhez/ WIL-eez, WIL-hayz), or according to some authorities High Willes,[3] is the highest point on Dartmoor, Devon, at 621 metres (2,039 feet) above sea level,[1][2] and the highest point in Southern England. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. To contribute to go4awalk.com or to contact us about anything at all see Talk to Us. fractionally west of south (205 magnetic) on the obvious track to High If you're coming from the south, the A386 brings you here too. You can follow hisblog here too. Maximum daytime temperature: 3 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: -1 degrees Celsius. stream Peaks, Summits and Tops reached on this walk: The highest point of this walk is High Willhays at 622m (2041ft). Find new walk companions for walks in South West England, Get Directions to the start of walk de177, More easy-to-follow circular walks in Dartmoor National Park, More easy-to-follow circular walks in The South West, More easy-to-follow circular walks in Devon. As you get closer to the top, there is a particular ignoring several bridges, until you reach the reservoir, then It has an abundance of archaeology and is a haven for wildlife including some rare species. EX20 4LU Season Date: 15 March - 12 October Species: Wild Brown Trout Fishery Size: 57 acres Contact: 01566 771930 Click here for the trout fishing rules This is a free fishing water with a bag limit of four fish over 10 inches. Discover the best hikes and paths to High Willhays in Okehampton Hamlets, West Devon. I took a slight detour to High Willhays and came back via the more interesting Yes Tour. . With the last of my lunch filling my bellyand a healthy dose of wellbeing filling my soul it was time to head back towards Meldon Reservoir via a path along the banks of the West Okement River. 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). Ordnance Survey Map 40.00. Climb to the highest point on Dartmoor on this splendid circular walk in the Dartmoor National Park. you off. Nearby Dartefacts and Squares: 438 Less than 1 km High Willhays Ridge Ring/Bank (with Pool) SE, 136, 0.075 km SE, 136, 0.075 km 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. You can find more walks near these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select). hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dartmoor-firing-programme. I slotted in behind some granite and got scoffing . The reservoir sits behind this dam wall and extends to the foot of . Head for these and you will soon catch The remains of the largest castle in Devon, in a stunning setting on a wooded spur above the rushing River Okement. google_ad_client = "ca-pub-7197786497211981"; You shouldnt let the limited public access put you off exploring safely this part of Dartmoor as it is very bleak and atmospheric, drama and remoteness but easily accessible by road. Dave my border collie sat still by my side, ears pricked upright in a state of alertness. Walkers are welcomed when the range is not being used and to avoid [7] Each of the outcrops displays lamellar bedding.[6]. 1h 28m Moderate 3.8 (3) Ten Tors Circular Walk Dartmoor National Park Length: 11.9 km Est. reservoir covers some 57 acres. We were all walking roughly the same route but no doubt with very different stories to tell over a cup of tea later. The remains of the largest castle in Devon, in a stunning setting on a wooded spur above the rushing River Okement. Tracks across High Willhays to Yes Tor. rock outcrops of the Tor proper. His instincts, his breeding told him this was something he could do, he understood this view. The walk starts from Meldon Reservoir. The weather forecast gave only a 10% chance of rain so we diligently packed our wet weather gear, extra layers and some sandwiches and looked at the trusty OS map. Completing this walk will also take you to the top of Yes Tor at 619m (2031ft). As you get to the edge of the plateau, you will see three 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). Climb to the highest point on Dartmoor on this splendid circular walk in the Dartmoor . . Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Photo 6x4 South-east slopes of High Willhays Dinger Tor c2009 at the best online prices at eBay! A short walk south of the car park brings you to the impressive Meldon Dam constructed in 1972. Meldon Reservoir, or Meldon, is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the north west section of the National Park. (a pay and display carpark) we headed out of the carpark and turned left along the footpath towards the Dam. 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 . go4mailvariable='go4awalk.com' Surprisingly the water is bright green; not due to algae but due to the minerals in the rock in this former limestone quarry.