Devil's Tor

Devil's Tor sounds dramatic but it isn't. The tor is simply a bland set of rocks in the upper Cowsic valley with an impressive standing stone - the Beardown Man - nearby. Why Devil's? Nobody has really come up with a good explanation for why these rocks should be the provenance of Satan although one moorman suggested to Crossing that the insignificant rocks are "plenty good enough vur 'e'". Maybe it has something to do with the prehistoric Beardown Man? We don't know. Devil's Tor is not difficult to get to and it provides an excellent start to any walking over the fen or blanket bog of the high country around here.

Park by Holming Beam (SX 591765), walk up the track, and turn right down a short steep track towards the Cowsic. Cross over the wooden bridge and head up towards Beardown Tors. Then head north to the newtake wall and walk north east up the delightful Methern valley  towards the ridge that houses Devil's Tor. Here you'll find the Beardown Man. If you wish you can now walk over rough ground to Cowsic Head or Horse Hole. Return via Lydford Tor. There is a track for much of the way back.

This walk isn't difficult since it takes you to the edge of "High Dartmoor" but no further. However, you could extend this walk in many ways. As the photos show the weather can change abruptly so map and compass are obviously essential. Allow 3-4 hours. The area is in a military range.

	The view looking along the track just by Holming Beam. This track leads to the bridge across the Cowsic.
	A bridge over the Cowsic at SX 595770. On the skyline is Lydford Tor. On the left is part of Maiden Down with the Cowsic valley between.
	View over Wistman's Wood from Beardown Tor. Beardown derives from "beara" or wooded so in the past these slopes would have been forested with deciduous trees. Wistman's Wood is the only part left.
	Clouds are gusting along the top at Beardown.
	A wind sculptured rock at Beardown.
	A view of one of the stacks of Beardown Tor and looking over towards Lydford Tor.
	The easterly view from the newtake wall at SX 605783. The West Dart is curving around Foxholes in the valley floor and the pyramid of Longaford Tor lies on the horizon. Parts of Wistman's Wood are on the right.
	The valley of Methern Brook (or Foxholes water). Crow Tor is on the other side of the stream with ice borne clitter just lying below. Near the stream lie the remains of medieval tin streaming.
	The headstreams of Methern Brook.
	Looking SE down the Methern valley from the ridge at SX 599794.
	An well shaped but unnamed tor (SX 597797) some hundred yards south of Devil's Tor. View looks SE towards Crow Tor and Longaford.
	The Easterly view from SX 597797. Rough Tor is on the horizon with some rough ground in between.
	Beardown Man and the low mound of Devil's Tor (with Fur Tor in the far distance). This is where the peat bogs start.
	The menhir of Beardown Man (SX 596797).
	A closer view of Beardown Man.
	The undemonstrative rocks of Devil's Tor.
	"High Dartmoor" - the wet, peaty country that lies on the highest ridges of the moor. On the horizon lies Rough Tor. The photo was taken near to Horse Hole.
	Another view of Beardown Man - this time with the distinctive mass of Great Mis Tor on the horizon.
	The edge of the peat bog by Devil's Tor.
	An easterly view from the newtake wall just by Lydford Tor. Beardown on the right, Longaford just above the wall.
	Beardown Tor from Lydford Tor. On the right lies the Cowsic valley and Holming Beam.
	The overspill of the Cowsic stream and the Devonport leat - SX 595767. These works are now unnecessary since the course of the leat has been short circuited by an aqueduct downstream by Beardown Farm.