This rugged circuit across open moor includes a fistful of rocky tors and superb views of Dartmoor, the Channel and the South Hams. En route there is a great deal of interest including the 1820 Haytor Granite Tramway with its stone rails. Smallacombe Rocks' hut circles are prehistoric and the foundations of Hound Tor's deserted village, with its farmstead, barns, pens and longhouses, is medieval. According to legend, Hound Tor was a pack of hounds turned to stone for hunting on a Sunday. Their master, Bowerman, was similarly punished - he's the tall rock nearby called Bowerman's Nose. All was grist to the mill for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle when he visited Dartmoor and wrote the famous book 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'. By Robert Hesketh.
Route: Is it for me? Open moorland; map and compass essential; footing rough in places; two steep ascents, three steep descents; dogs on lead during nesting season and near sheep Stiles None
Start/Parking: Haytor Rocks lower car park and information centre, grid ref SX765772 Nearest town Bovey Tracey Refreshments Rock Inn, Haytor Public toilets At start Public transport Country Buses 193 Newton Abbot/Bovey Tracey and 271 Newton Abbot/Widecombe. Limited services
Maps: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28; Landranger 191
From Country Walking magazine, to subscribe visit www.GreatMagazines.co.uk/CountryWalking © Copyright Bauer Media Limited 2011. All rights reserved. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk.
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