Tavy Cleave Leat
Leat Warden’s Lodge – be sure to take a gift
Perfect sunshine for this trip which started in the cleave, first following the river Tavy’s leat, then the river proper. It’s a stunning mini valley with pretty little waterfalls and pools that will have you stripping off your plus fours and slipping in the wet stuff. There were a few people out today, though almost all seemed to head straight up to Ger Tor. After passing one dog and his man, I was alone with the sound of the river and assorted bird chirpery. Summoning all my powers of will I kept my clothes on and headed along and up the water, rounding Watern Oke and arriving, after a while, at Sandy Ford.
Deep Bottom. Enough said.
One of many pools
More Prettiness
The End of the Cleave
Master of the Moor
Sandy Ford & Fur
For the second time in a week the ford and the Tors perched above it provided the backdrop to my lunchtime masterpiece, chicken and bacon sarnies con mayonnaise, and a packet of Thai red chilli crisps. My table was a grassed over granite lump on Fur Tor, reached by crossing Pinswell. I spent an hour here listening to the wind and taking in the rays. Above me circled the nesting raven. Back in the direction of the ford I could see what looked like Ten Tors groups out for practice. A line of dots waiting to be joined.
Fur Tor
Look into the Stones – What do they say?
Lunchtime View to Sandy Ford and Hare Tor
After lunch I made for Great Kneeset. Usually boggy ground was quite firm underfoot, but I was knackered enough for another rest and a chocolaty dessert by the time I arrived. This would be a much harder walk in wetter conditions.
Looking West to Great Links
Northish To High Willhays & Yes Tor
The views all day today were nothing short of amazing. There’s a great satisfaction to be gained by looking at the faces of distant tors, naming their names, and remembering past trips taken. Eastish to Hangingstone. Northish and upwards lay Yes Tor and High Willays, bellow me the depths of Jackman’s Bottom. Pray hope you never end up stuck down there without a map and compass.
Flat Bottomed Amicombe Hole
With new Cadbury’s given energy I rose like a phoenix from the flames and lumbered over and up westwards, crossing Amicombe Hole. Without timing it, it would be difficult to say exactly how long I took. Suffice to say it was no less than a good 45 minutes of grunting before I was looking down on Bleak House from atop the heady summit of Green Tor.
Two Ring Stone – Horse Parking? Fur in Background. En Route to Green Tor
Featureless Terrain on Amicombe Hill
Bleak House from Green Tor – Middle, not Skyline, Right Side
The remainder of the walk was much easier going. Chat Tor, Hare Tor, Tavy Cleave Tors, Ger Tor, Lanehead car park.
Ten Tors Trainees? Advance on Hare Tor.
View from Hare Tor – Bray Tor in Centre
Ger Tor.
Last Look into Tavy Cleave
I really enjoyed this walk. Amongst other things I saw lots of birds, newts, sheep and ponies of course, 3 lizards, 1 fish, and no clouds.
Where next?
hiking on dartmoor 