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Hameldown

Hameldown (SX 705800) is an impressive ridge of granite on the east side of Dartmoor. Although it is quite high (532m) it is easily accessed and provides splendid views over a good part of Devon. A number of old, large cairns lie along the ridge. Some bones have been found inside some of them. Hameldown lies to the south of the famous Bronze Age four acre settlement of Grimspound. 
This is a very straightforward walk which involves a little climbing. Most of the walk is on the flat ridge of Hameldown following part of the Two Moors Way. You can park your car on the roadside at SX 697808 - but there's only room for 5 or 6 cars. Unless the weather is bad it is a dry walk with no boggy bits. But be careful of mist - although there is an obvious path for most of the walk.  As described the walk takes about 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace. The walk may be extended by carrying along the Hameldown towards Widecombe. 
This area lies outside the army firing ranges.
 
Start of the walk at Firth Bridge (SX 697808). Hameldown Tor lies on the horizon to the right.
Looking down the valley towards Challacombe. 
A dry watercourse in Dartmoor.
Heading up towards Grimspound.
One of the twenty four stone hut remains within the Grimspound settlement.
The southern entrance to Grimspound. Grimspound was probably occupied around 1300 BC.
Looking back over the ring of Grimspound from Hameldown. The tor opposite is Hookney Tor.
The cairn and trig station at Hameldown Tor (SX 703806).
Heading south down the 2 moors way towards Hameldown Cross.
Eastwards view over Hay Tor, Hound Tor and Rippon Tor from Broad Barrow. 
The Two Barrows cairn at SX 707792.
The view over South Devon from Hameldown Beacon (SX 709789). The beacon was one of five that relayed signals across the country.
Looking Northwards from Hameldown Beacon. On the horizon lies Broad Barrow.
Another view over South Devon from Hameldown Beacon.
 


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