meldon reservoir to high willhays

Walking up High Willhays. I had this notion that the northern landscape of Dartmoor was a fenced off landscape, uninviting to hikers. Available for both RF and RM licensing. go4awalk.com and go4awalk.co.uk are registered trademarks of TMDH Limited. (a pay and display carpark) we headed out of the carpark and turned left along the footpath towards the Dam. Unlike sunsets that donthold his attention for long, this working landscape captivated him whilst I watched and ate my humble lunch. It's a flat, boggy landmass that's relatively difficult to walk across. If you're coming from the south, the A386 brings you here too. To close this message click anywhere outside this window. Yes Tor is also known as an English Nuttall (237th highest in England, 412th highest in England & Wales). You can follow hisblog here too. Descend to the right of Black Tor to the } 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. 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. go4mailvariable='go4awalk.com' United Kingdom high willhays hike and camp Top recommended route Difficulty moderate. point High Willhays is within one of Dartmoor's Danger Zones, areas used periodically by the British Army for exercises. The views from Yes Tor and along the ridge to 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 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 the return from Highwillhays, once again 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. High Willhays in Dartmoor is the highest mountain in the south west of England. Availability can also be checked at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dartmoor-firing-programme. Which is exactly why I love it. Yes Tor is also known as an English Nuttall (237th highest in England, 412th highest in England & Wales). <> Ascent: Start: Red flags are raised around the perimeter when live-firing is due to take place. 6. As mentioned in all the walking guides, Yes Tor is not actually as high as High Willhays but the view is much better, and the top is more, erm, interesting shall we say. High Willhays is the highest point on Dartmoor and in the UK south of the Brecon Beacons. To tedontour LIFE MEMBER 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. What's Nearby Accommodation Sourton Down Caravan & Camping Park High Willhays is often mistakenly referred to as the highest point in England south of Kinder Scout. 5. The walk starts from Meldon Reservoir. Proudly created with Wix.com. Commercial quarrying (originally for limestone) started at Meldon around 200 years ago. . 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 army military clear up 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. Only two viaducts of this design remain in the UK and both are thankfully listed structures so hopefully we can enjoy them for many more years to come. hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dartmoor-firing-programme. High Willhays is the highest point in Dartmoor National Park and and the highest point in the county of Devon. undefined on the OS map. } else { Ordnance Survey Map . 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. The Woodland lies next to the West Okement River and the ground here was particularly wet. Once I had found the correct road to Meldon Reservoir the route was very straightforward. Bow before mighty Loch Meldon . RM 2BCCM52 - The spillway of Meldon Dam (1972), showing overflow of the West Olement River from Meldon Reservoir, Dartmoor National Park, Devon, UK. For help logging on, see Help > FAQs > Logging On. 03:40. Yes Tor is the one with the trig. Enough time to glance at the map and plot a compass bearing west towards Black Tor, overlooking West Okement River. The track splits by some picnic tables next 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. sight of the trig. From there it was up to Yes Tor and High Willhays, where the wind really was blowing something. If you need to buy any Parking at Meldon Reservoir SX561 918 (a pay and display carpark) we headed out of the carpark and turned left along the footpath towards the Dam. The path diverts briefly around a walled area Ascended from Meldon Car Park via Yes Tor on a clear&comma; dry August day&period; High Willhays is a very attractive county top&period; The view across Dartmoor and to Black Tor is a highlight&period; Returned by following the West Okement river to Meldon Reservoir&semi; a beautiful route in summer albeit with some leaps to make to avoid . go4mailvariable='go4awalk.com' The reservoir sits below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England. The reservoir sits below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England. The summit of Yes Tor is marked by an Ordnance Survey Trig Point. Explore open moorland, dramatic tors and a Scheduled Monument: boasting a special combination of industrial heritage, wildlife and nature trails, Meldon is the perfect location to enjoy a unique day outdoors. 4. 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. Please enable javascript in your browser preferences). per adult. One of the beautiful reservoirs which is home to many water species and also the location is naturally beautiful for a picnic. Meldon Reservoir, or Meldon, is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the north west section of the National Park. The city of Exeter is the county town. 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. Where2Walk 2023 - Walking in Yorkshire and the Lake District. For help logging on, see Help > FAQs > Logging On. 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! The waterfall trail is a moderate circular walk of about an hour on a mostly one-way route. 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. //-->, High 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, . Intermediate. The reservoir supplies water to north and west Devon, and is used for trout fishing. There are the remains of extensive peat works to the southeast of Lyd Head including the evocatively named Bleak House. 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. There is a large car park at Meldon Dam, with toilets and a map of the area. A very satisfying walk in my book. 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. Find new walk companions for walks in South West England, Get Directions to the start of walk de139, 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, See/ShowPassword The National Trust's Lydford Gorge, Devon, is the deepest gorge in the South West and has a spectacular 30m waterfall. 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. wide and there are shallow vehicle ruts. 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). Tracks across High Willhays to Yes Tor. Half-Day Surf Experience in Newquay (1 x 2 hour lesson) - All Abilities Welcome. The Minister's decision letter backing the Meldon reservoir was published in November 1968. The average height of the moor, however, is around 1,200ft (366m). We would love to see your walk photographs and pictures walk de139 Yes Tor, High Willhays and Black Tor from Meldon Reservoir. 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. Climb to the highest point on Dartmoor on this splendid circular walk in the Dartmoor National Park. Gemma It lies in some high moorland which can be bleak in bad weatherlovely in good. initially until, as you get higher up (from SX 578902), a relatively clearer The dam was constructed in 1957 to provide water to the South Hams and the reservoir itself covers around 50 acres. Do not head north of High Willhays, it is bleak and featureless. The water was bracing and though my family think I'm bonkers I found it most pleasant. 2 0 obj Head for the right 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 }. back to Meldon Reservoir is very pretty. That brooding sky. The track eventually becomes more The lichens and mosses that drape the trees are nationally important and grow here in this unique clean air woodland. meldon reservoir to high willhays. 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. through the gate turn left to the reservoir dam. Meldon Reservoir, or Meldon, is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the north west section of the National Park. The odd shaped lumps of rock strewn across so many of the South West's tors are collectively known as 'clitter'. Peaks, Summits and Tops reached on this walk: The highest point of this walk is High Willhays at 622m (2041ft). Stay on the right hand side of the river, in The reservoir sits below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England. recorded message giving availability. Willhays. See Help > FAQs - Logging On for details on how to enable cookies in your browser. For those using my GPS route, this is based Climb to the highest point on Dartmoor on this splendid circular walk in the Dartmoor . You can find more walks near these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select). site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any %PDF-1.5 var x = document.getElementById('password'); Fernworthy is a great place to Discover the Dartmoor Story. 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. We continued along the path as it turned South and then East up the hill towards our first summit Yes Tor. 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. High Willhays is the highest point in Dartmoor National Park and and the highest point in the county of Devon. Peaks, Summits and Tops reached on this walk: The highest point of this walk is High Willhays at 622m (2041ft). 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. 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. The only remaining recourse available to the objecting amenity societies was an appeal to the Parliamentary Ombudsman that an injustice had been done. The undisputed highest point in Dartmoor and the South West. When you get to the large rock, there is a High Willhays is the highest point on Dartmoor and in the UK south of the Brecon Beacons. google_ad_client = "ca-pub-7197786497211981"; 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. "From Meldon reservoir car park, climbed 400m peak directly south then headed on to climb Black Tor. }. The military have been using Dartmoor for over 200 years and this walk is partly within a live firing range. Here there are clear paths, at least in its lower slopes. A few hikers having a bite to eat out of the prevailing wind is normally a good clue too. For help see Help. Do not follow this link or you will be banned from this site. I was briefly thrown on arrival because it was a pay car park and the machine wanted actual coins. hand outcrop which is Black Tor. x.type = 'text'; Tiny rapidly moving dots scoured the landscape in perfect harmony. A shepherd on a quad bike was commanding three sheepdogs. All rights reserved. 1. Anyone been there? untoward, do not touch it and report it. Hisnose sniffed the calm air and his eyes scanned the distant valley slopes. High Willhays is the highest point in Dartmoor National Park and and the highest point in the county of Devon. If visibility is clear, you should have no One of the beautiful reservoirs which is home to many water species and also the location is naturally beautiful for a picnic. route through the boulder field becomes clear. simply follow the path round its right hand side back to the car park. //--> Always useful. Meldon Reservoir. You can also submit photos from walk de139 Yes Tor, High Willhays and Black Tor from Meldon Reservoir via our Facebook Page. Meldon Reservoir is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the northwest section of the National Park. From Meldon Viaduct I retraced my steps back towards the car park at the reservoir. 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 de177 Yes Tor and High Willhays from Meldon Reservoir, West Mill Tor from Yes Tor with Okehampton and North Devon in background, High Willhays from the trig point on Yes Tor, The bridge at the southern end of Meldon Reservoir, . 562917) located at the northern end of the dam containing Meldon reservoir. They each have a certain attraction and charm, perhaps thats the engineer in me looking at things. Some is over open ground and although well walked, extent across the Oakhampton Military Firing Range but do not let this put For help see Help. Meldon Reservoir is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the northwest section of the National Park. NB. Yes Tor, which for many years was thought to be the highest point, and has an O/S pillar to prove it, was recently demoted in favour of the less spectacular High Willhays. I apologise for the lack of drama in my opening words, the failing to enthuse. As you get closer to the top, there is a there is no distinct path. 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). We put on our spare jumpers and pulled our coats about us as we ate our sandwiches huddled together beneath our granite shelter. x.type = 'text'; The gorge is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its geology, flora and fauna. 2. begin with, when I did the walk but I would not guarantee its presence long His instincts, his breeding told him this was something he could do, he understood this view. (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. Undaunted, 16 ramblers gathered at the start point 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. Yesterday we decided we needed a Dartmoor fix. It's a flat, boggy landmass that's relatively difficult to walk across. Keep right for the next 1.3 km and turn right, where you will find the car park on the left in 42 m. 2 0 obj It has an abundance of archaeology and is a haven for wildlife including some rare species. 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. Getting to the High Willhayes and Yes Tor Circular Walk Trailhead. Completing this walk will also take you to the top of Yes Tor at 619m (2031ft). disappointment, a freephone number (0800 458 4868) is available, which has a [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. reservoir covers some 57 acres. Walkers are welcomed when the range is not being used and to avoid The trail is. However I was pleasantly surprised by a bright winters daywith very good walking and some wonderfullong distance views. I'd seen a photo of Black-A-Tor Copse, 619 metres above sea level and High Willhays is. if (x.type === 'password') { Please send them as email attachments (configured for any computer) along with your name to: