A  step into a beautiful gateway to the high moor

Start: Free car park on left at entrance to Belstone (OS 28, SX 622 938) 4 miles, 2.5 hours.

Meet at Newton Poppleford recreation car park (OS 115, SY 088 899) at 09.30am to share cars or meet at the start point.

Strolling south through the ancient granite buildings of the hamlet of Belstone, we make our way south some way above the infant River Taw, soon emerge onto the open moor. Every step thereafter offers an ever increasing sense of the majesty of the scene unfolding ahead. The vast bowl of Taw Marsh is flanked on all sides by moorland scenery of the highest order. We return by climbing steeply west to gain the ridge that links Oke Tor with the tors above Belstone common and as we make our way back north along that ridge, it must be said that a walking pole or stick would be very useful as we cross the clitter fields that surround those tors.

A simple track is soon found on the northern flank of Higher Tor and that leads us back down to Belstone and its inn, for those who might require refreshments.

Please note: The majority of this walk is over rough grazing and therefore unsuitable for dogs.

Walk Leader: Chris Gooding, 01395 265707/07852 630431