Black Lane

Black Lane is just about the most isolated part of the southern moor. It starts from near Fox Tor and runs southwards down to the upper Erme. A small brook accompanies the Lane. There's a lot of old tinning remains around the confluence of Black Lane and the Erme.

Approach from the southern road out from Princetown. Just before the road turns to Whiteworks there is a handy car park (SX 603708). Head southwards along an easy track to Nun's Cross Farm. Then head due south up onto the western slopes of Crane Hill. Once you can see the broad expanse of Plym Head then walk due east over Crane Hill and head for the post (a railway sleeper) that marks the start of Black Lane. Then head south down the Blacklane valley, skirting the mire and then crossing the stream to go over to Duck's Pool. Then head south down to the upper Erme valley.  You can then follow the Erme up to the head, go past Broad Rock and head for Great Gnat's Head. Then down to Plym Ford, SW to Eylesbarrow Tin mine and finally take the track back to Nun's Cross and the car park.

Just over 8 miles. This is not a trivial walk and care needs to be taken especially if the weather turns bad. There's some boggy ground around the Blacklane Mire and Cater's Beam can be very wet underfoot as can Great Gnat's Head. Devon mist will really challenge your navigation skills in this part of the moor. The photos for this walk were taken in ideal conditions on a June day. It's not always like this!

No army ranges to worry about.

	Looking over at Fox Tor Mire from near the car park at SX 603708.
	Approaching Nun's Cross Farm.
	A flood relief sluice by the leat at SX 608698. The path over the bridge leads onto the Abbot's way. Nun's Cross farmhouse is on the horizon.
	A cross - SX 613695.
	The tiny cross of Hand Hill - SX 613692.
	Plym Head.
	Looking south over Plym Head from SX 615689.
	Looking east from the top of Crane Hill at SX 622690
	The flat plateau of Crane Hill. In poor weather this featureless area would be a navigational challenge.
	The old post at the start of Black Lane (SX 627690). It's a railway sleeper and the words Cater's Beam are scratched onto it.
	The head of Blacklane brook. The lane goes due south from here down to the Erme.
	The north side of Blacklane mire.
	Another railway sleeper marker. This one is at SX 631680.
	Another view of the marker post.
	Looking down the Blacklane valley from SX 629677
	Remains of a blowing house near Duck's pool - SX 629677.
	Duck's Pool letterbox - SX 626679
	Duck's Pool letterbox.
	Duck's Pool
	More featureless moor around Duck's Pool.
	The Blacklane brook.
	This is where the Blacklane brook meets up with the Erme. Looking east from SX 628669.
	Remains of old tinning works along the north side of the upper Erme. Langcombe Hill is on the horizon.
	Broad Rock with a view down the Erme valley. Broad Rock is an old boundary stone between Cornwood and Dartmoor Forest.
	A closer look at Broad Rock. It has "BB Broad Rock" written on its surface.
	The cairn at Great Gnats Head - SX 616679. There's a lot of rough and wet ground around this place.
	Plym Ford (SX 611684).
	Eylesbarrow Old Mine (SX 598681).
	Heading back along the track that links Eylesbarrow with Nun's Cross.