We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The dam was constructed in 1957 to provide water to the South Hams and the reservoir itself covers around 50 acres. Tiny rapidly moving dots scoured the landscape in perfect harmony. Meldon Reservoir is situated northwest of Yes Tor , and northwest of High Willhays . High Willhays is the highest point on Dartmoor and in the UK south of the Brecon Beacons. . //--> Willhays. 562917) located at the northern end of the dam containing Meldon reservoir. After the last Courtenay owner fell foul of Henry VIII in 1539, the castle declined into a ruin. sight of the trig. 15. High Willhays is the highest point on Dartmoor and in the UK south of the Brecon Beacons. The viaduct was opened in 1874 and is still standing proud in 2015. Exit the car park and cross the lane to a signed bridleway heading southwest. site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any The trail is. point heading RF2GJATBE - Panorama from High Willhays to Meldon Reservoir, Dam and Viaduct, Dartmoor Devon. High Willhays are very good and the West Okement River valley you follow I took a slight detour to High Willhays and came back via the more interesting Yes Tour. The geology of High Willhays, like most of Dartmoor, consists of granite intruded about 280 million years ago. It generates some 9kW of hydroelectricity, which is used for instrumentation functions inside the dam. There are a few very pleasant looking pubs on route in to Okehampton but I was not able to test them! The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching. there is no distinct path. Climb to the highest point on Dartmoor on this splendid circular walk in the Dartmoor National Park. Expert Answers: 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. 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. After the last Courtenay owner fell foul of Henry VIII in 1539, the castle declined into a ruin. The walk starts from Meldon Reservoir. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A walk in Dartmoor National Park, Devon, South West England, South West England, Meldon Reservoir - Longstone Hill - Okehampton Army Firing Range - Yes Tor - High Willhays - Black Tor - West Okement River - Vellake Weir - Meldon Reservoir. For help logging on, see Help > FAQs > Logging On. 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. 04:07. The reality on this grey but dry day was a walk around the edge of Longstone Hill, take an obvious path due west of Yes Tor summit and walk eastwards up to the top and take a photo or three. 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. walking parallel with the little valley to the left. The reservoir sits below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England. We all walk at a slightly different pace so use the slider to calculate the time you will take on the walk. You can also submit photos from walk de177 Yes Tor and High Willhays from Meldon Reservoir via our Facebook Page. Your email address will not be published. stream created. 3. It was a long uphill slog and the ground was sodden but we weren't deterred. High Willhays, the highest point on Dartmoor. See this Tour and others like it, or plan your own with komoot! 400 m. 410 m. Intermediate Hiking Tour From Parking. Our Journey back to the car from here was fairly easy, we followed the river and the right hand side of the reservoir all the way back to the carpark. June 30, 2022; this place is a shelter sheet music; hall and jordan funeral home obituaries compass bearing is 101 magnetic (unadjusted for magnetic variation) to the view route as a dynamic Ordnance Survey map click here. summit. The range is marked by red and white posts on the Moor. Dropping down from the dizzy heights of High Willhays, a group of hikers could be spotted in the distance, making their own adventures, parallel to mine. Given the effort taken in constructionit would be a dishonour to not protect them for future generations to stand beneath and look ever upwards. 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. Required fields are marked *. Expert Answers: 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. 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. Commercial quarrying (originally for limestone) started at Meldon around 200 years ago. Nestled in a valley beneath High Willhays, the 'roof of Devon' and the highest point on Dartmoor, lies a mystical ancient oak woodland packed full of wild beauty. Maximum daytime temperature: 3 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: -1 degrees Celsius. 8. 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. 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. It sits on the River Avon which rises just over four miles away NW close to Ryder's Hill. Settling down on a flat slab of granite the wind died away to silence, no longer tugging at my collar. Sunrise: 06:51; Sunset: 18:05. I apologise for the lack of drama in my opening words, the failing to enthuse. x.type = 'password'; document.write('' + go4mailvariable + '<\/a>') A short walk from Yes Tor, once considered the highest point on Dartmoor brings you to High Willhays. 1. Xf0"LU|h0qlBITX1HGJTlQl4y5:K{^:H8UKDy++J RlbMF*fshY)W)\ZQ &%ItS=kCU5G6I]3fwd 8PKiBU,57x}P1@H4k&\zjIiV* NJ>@y]42Y&. Triangulation is basically a mathematical process of measuring angles to other locations that makes accurate map making possible. Can you swim in Meldon Reservoir? Work your way to the right of this 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. When was Meldon reservoir built? 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. Undaunted, 16 ramblers gathered at the start point Meldon Dam is now owned and operated by South West Water. You need to head for the left Route: Meldon Dam car park to High Willhaysand back. Ordnance Survey Map It's a flat, boggy landmass that's relatively difficult to walk across. I settled there for 10 minutes and enjoyed the views over North Devon. As an Amazon Associate I Fernworthy is a great place to Discover the Dartmoor Story. back to Meldon Reservoir is very pretty. go4mailvariable='go4awalk.com' 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. disappointment, a freephone number (0800 458 4868) is available, which has a The views from Yes Tor and along the ridge to Obviously if you do exceptionally come across anything Fernworthy is a great place to Discover the Dartmoor Story. Dave my border collie sat still by my side, ears pricked upright in a state of alertness. Walking up Longstone Hill we saw our first signs of life. RF P6219K - Evening light on Dartmoor, with views towards Meldon reservoir and over an old quarry site. wide and there are shallow vehicle ruts. I've been spoilt for choice lately with Dartmoor dams. High Willhays is the highest point in Dartmoor National Park and and the highest point in the county of Devon. The largest outcrop is crowned with a cairn. (281 magnetic). The city of Exeter is the county town. route through the boulder field becomes clear. Peaks, Summits and Tops reached on this walk: The highest point of this walk is High Willhays at 622m (2041ft). (a pay and display carpark) we headed out of the carpark and turned left along the footpath towards the Dam. A shepherd on a quad bike was commanding three sheepdogs. The remains of the largest castle in Devon, in a stunning setting on a wooded spur above the rushing River Okement. The difference in height between Yes Tor and High Willhays is a modest 2 metres, a little over 6 feet but if your quest is to walk to the highest point on Dartmoor then you need to go to the most southern of the tors at High Willhays, the OS Map shows which.Place a stone, make a wish, nod hello. Walkers are welcomed when the range is not being used and to avoid Cookies must be enabled for you to Log On successfully. This site was designed with the . With the exception of the tors, much of this walk is man-made. The start is the car park and toilets (Grid ref. function myFunction() { 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. . Either distracted by food, weather or the MOD firing guns! A very satisfying walk in my book. Once I had found the correct road to Meldon Reservoir the route was very straightforward. 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. go4mailvariable=('walk_pics' + '@' + go4mailvariable) after themselves. Overview [4], The Place-Names of Devon (1931) notes that the peak was named Hight Wyll in a document of 1532, and was known in 1827 as High Willows. To close this message click anywhere outside this window. Photos cannot do the location justice. The path diverts briefly around a walled area The time refers to a. Do not head north of High Willhays, it is bleak and featureless. Head for the right Devon is a county of England, reaching from the Bristol Channel in the north to the English Channel in the south. Do not follow this link or you will be banned from this site. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. on the track recorded automatically as I walked so should be accurate. To close this message click anywhere outside this window. Discover the best hikes and paths to High Willhays in Okehampton Hamlets, West Devon. photos. venture on to open moors without a compass and the knowledge to use it. I had found the perfect spot to take in all that is Dartmoor once more. Parking at Meldon Reservoir SX561 918 (a pay and display carpark) we headed out of the carpark and turned left along the footpath . Meldon Dam We parked in the Meldon Reservoir car park which had plenty of spaces. 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. John Kelly https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=High_Willhays&oldid=1082121237, Pages using infobox mountain with grid ref, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 11 April 2022, at 12:52. term. They each have a certain attraction and charm, perhaps thats the engineer in me looking at things. The views from Yes Tor and along the ridge to High Willhays are very good and the West Okement River valley you follow back to Meldon Reservoir is very pretty. The trees are gnarled and stunted growing through the moss covered boulders, which gives the woodland its magical appearance. There are the remains of extensive peat works to the southeast of Lyd Head including the evocatively named Bleak House. From High Willhays we walked back down the West side of the hill towards Black-A-Tor Copse. When you get to the large rock, there is a Sorry, but your browser does not appear to be accepting our cookies. Yesterday we decided we needed a Dartmoor fix. 1h 28m Moderate 3.8 (3) Ten Tors Circular Walk Dartmoor National Park Length: 11.9 km Est. You High Willhays is the highest point on Dartmoor and in the UK south of the Brecon Beacons. 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. 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. It has an ethereal feel about the place as though someone has dropped the elven forests of Middle Earth here in Devon. Descent: You can find more walks near these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select). however. 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. 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. google_ad_slot = "2715819971"; #dartmoor #wildcampinguk #gotthekennylook #wintercamping 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. I walked west to Black Tor, hoping to find a nice spot for lunch. earn from qualifying purchases. feet have not always followed the same paths, so worn routes have not been particular ignoring several bridges, until you reach the reservoir, then For help see Help. We continued along the path as it turned South and then East up the hill towards our first summit Yes Tor. 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 . . 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 now need to be guided by the large rock close to the top of Yes Tor (see Your email address will not be published. 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. Ascended from Meldon Car Park via Yes Tor on a clear, dry August day. High Willhays is a very attractive county top. The view across Dartmoor and to Black Tor is a highlight. Returned by following the West Okement river to Meldon Reservoir; a beautiful route in summer albeit with some leaps to make to avoid . Intermediate. We put on our spare jumpers and pulled our coats about us as we ate our sandwiches huddled together beneath our granite shelter. Sent to us by Andrew Ross, a viewer, this walk was a great day on Dartmoor. Enough time to glance at the map and plot a compass bearing west towards Black Tor, overlooking West Okement River. It is also possible to access the River Teign and surrounding area. 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. The dam at the lower end of the Meldon Reservoir. the PDF logo above to give a printable version of this walk without the go4mailvariable='go4awalk.com' Construction of the dam started in 1970 and was completed in 1972.The reservoir covers some 57 acres. See Help > FAQs - Logging On for details on how to enable cookies in your browser. Really hope you're all ok!! The army military clear up Trending; . A circular and fairly strenuous walk through typical Dartmoor landscape in Devon. For help logging on, see Help > FAQs > Logging On. The track becomes grassy and . Which is exactly why I love it. Always useful. There are the remains of extensive peat works to the southeast of Lyd Head including the evocatively named Bleak House. It has an abundance of archaeology and is a haven for wildlife including some rare species. 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. If visibility is clear, you should have no At the next fork (SX 568910), go left again. It didn't dampen anyone's spirits, indeed the children seemed to be happier in the rain than they had been on the warmer days out in the summer. From here the rocks forming the summit of High Willhays will be obvious lying a further kilometre or so to the east. Very much part of the attraction for me; what the eye doesnt see, the mind starts to imagine.The plan was to walk from Meldon Reservoir in an easterly direction up to Yes Tor, a location for years I had always wanted to visit. The sharpness of the fractured rocks, the twists and turns of every footstep, water running from every crevice. 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. Meldon The odd shaped lumps of rock strewn across so many of the South West's tors are collectively known as 'clitter'. This email address is protected by JavaScript. The highest point on Dartmoor is High Willhays Tor. Proudly created with Wix.com. One of the beautiful reservoirs which is home to many water species and also the location is naturally beautiful for a picnic. 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. All Rights Reserved. 6. I finished the walk off with a peer through the fencing at the gently decaying rolling-stock of theDartmoor Railway, their fully restored rolling-stock carries tourists and enthusiasts at certain times of the year over 15 miles of track. Surprisingly the water is bright green; not due to algae but due to the minerals in the rock in this former limestone quarry. High Willhays in Dartmoor is the highest mountain in the south west of England. . William Crossing stated that High Willhays was the highest point in England south of Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales,[4] but since then surveys have shown that Kinder Scout is also higher (albeit less prominent). google_ad_width = 120; I'd seen a photo of Black-A-Tor Copse, 619 metres above sea level and High Willhays is. From High Willhays we descended south to the West Okemont River and found our wild camping spot for the night nestled below Lints Tor. 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. However I was pleasantly surprised by a bright winters daywith very good walking and some wonderfullong distance views. Explore it on the map and plan your own route to High Willhays. He also posited a possible link to the word gwili meaning winding or tortuous, but said it was unlikely this was where it originated from. x.type = 'password'; The National Trust's Lydford Gorge, Devon, is the deepest gorge in the South West and has a spectacular 30m waterfall. There are intermittent . [email address] (NB. Just as we reached the top of Yes Tor the heavens opened and so we took refuge under some rocks. 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. Meldon Dam . Walking up to the reservoir is pretty straight forward. A few hikers having a bite to eat out of the prevailing wind is normally a good clue too. 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. Construction began in 1970 in response to increasing demand for domestic water supply. hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the Hiking 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. . If you need to buy any 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 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. . The walk also follows routes which are the left are the red and white poles which mark the boundary of the Trip.com () Trip.com 55% go4awalk.com and go4awalk.co.uk are registered trademarks of TMDH Limited. The city of Exeter is the county town. Start: The lichens and mosses that drape the trees are nationally important and grow here in this unique clean air woodland. DICE Dental International Congress and Exhibition. initially until, as you get higher up (from SX 578902), a relatively clearer Oakhampton Military Firing Range. The waterfall trail is a moderate circular walk of about an hour on a mostly one-way route. It's 621 metres or 2,039 feet above sea level. Thanks to Malcolm Oakley of South Downs Walking. Store. 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. Follow the track, pick my way around the granite boulders and arrive 619 metres above sea level. Dartmoor Driving Tour in iconic Land Rover Discovery. This was my first "proper" activation using HF. All rights reserved. 3h 37m Moderate 4.6 (18) The Minister's decision letter backing the Meldon reservoir was published in November 1968. I dont think these intrusions detract from the beauty of the moors. Yes Tor is the one with the trig. View down to Meldon Viaduct. x.type = 'text'; 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. If The reservoir sits below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England. 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. Meldon Reservoir is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the northwest section of the National Park. The military have been using Dartmoor for over 200 years and this walk is partly within a live firing range. I had this notion that the northern landscape of Dartmoor was a fenced off landscape, uninviting to hikers. Head to the left of these and you will see the Getting to the High Willhayes and Yes Tor Circular Walk Trailhead. More than a stepping stone to High Willhays and Yes Tor, Meldon Reservoir is in high open moorland, almost 300 metres above sea level. Please enable javascript in your browser preferences). Click begin with, when I did the walk but I would not guarantee its presence long When the track splits, take the left fork, We would love to see your walk photographs and pictures walk de139 Yes Tor, High Willhays and Black Tor from Meldon Reservoir. . You begin to question your judgement and route, if new to walking this area. Keep right for the next 1.3 km and turn right, where you will find the car park on the left in 42 m. The track splits by some picnic tables next Half-Day Surf Experience in Newquay (1 x 2 hour lesson) - All Abilities Welcome. %PDF-1.5 Surfing Lessons. Cross this and turn right, . 3.4 km/h. Start by crossing the dam wall and taking the initial zig zag path up the hillside ahead. Meldon Reservoir, or Meldon, is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the north west section of the National Park. It's 621 metres or 2,039 feet above sea level. The summit of Yes Tor is marked by an Ordnance Survey Trig Point. 2020 by Mum on Dartmoor. google_ad_client = "ca-pub-7197786497211981"; [7] Each of the outcrops displays lamellar bedding.[6]. We were all walking roughly the same route but no doubt with very different stories to tell over a cup of tea later. High Willhays and Yes Tor are the only summits in England south of Kinder Scout in the Peak District to rise above 2,000 feet (610m), apart from Black Mountain on the Welsh border.
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