All | Little | Shorter | Standard | Longer | Tors | Relics | History | Links | Panoramas | Home

 

Higher White

Higher White Tor is an obvious tor that is visible from many parts of the Postbridge to Two Bridges road. Together with Littaford and Longaford tors they dominate a ridge that sweeps down from the centre of the northern moor to the central basin. Walking to Higher White tor along the ridge is fairly clear cut - especially in good weather - and the views over the surrounding moor are excellent. This is a delightful walk that includes some good moorland scenery, an old wood, arable farmland and easy walking beside the leat path. A walk of unexpected but pleasant contrasts.
Start from the Two Bridges car park at SX 609750. (Get there early because it can quickly fill up). Take the right hand path that climbs straight up towards Crockern Tor and the rest of the tors along the ridge. From Higher White tor head down towards the West Dart river. Depending which way you take will determine the state of the ground. Touch into Wistman's wood and then cross the West Dart and make for the leat head. Then simply follow the leat path until you get to the main fields of Beardown Farm. Then follow directions that will take you to Two Bridges and back to the car park.
This is a straightforward walk with no real rough ground to worry about. Crossing the West Dart may be an issue if the river is high. No military areas.
 
We don't take the track that goes past Crockern farm but instead head NE up the hill towards Crockern Tor.
Walking towards Crockern Tor at SX 611755
Crockern Tor. The name may derive from an old family name - Crocker. Situated in the centre of the old tin-streaming area and so this is where the tin parliament would meet. The larger stone is known as Parliament rock and acted as the main centre and sounding board of the meeting. The parliament was known to have taken place between 1305 and 1703. SX 616758
The view from the top of Crockern Tor.
Walking up towards Littaford Tor. A nice easy grass to walk on with excellent views all round.
Littaford Tor SX 616769
Looking north from the edge of Littaford Tor towards Longaford and Higher White Tor. We are on the ridge here.
Longaford Tor with Higher White Tor in the distance. This tor is clearly seen by all people on the Two Bridges - Moretonhampstead road. What does Longaford mean? Fords? Trackways? The excellent Legendary Dartmoor website has a good discussion on this.
The impressive cone of Longaford Tor at SX 616779. This tor has attracted the attention of a number of Dartmoor novelists such as Eden Phillpotts. It's easy to see why.
The north facing view from Longaford Tor looking over to Higher White Tor.
The easterly view from Longaford Tor. The coniferous forest in the distance is the Bellever plantation.
Halfway between Longaford and Higher White tors. More easy walking over good grassy sward.
The cairn of Higher White Tor. Why White Tor? I guess that this cairn looks quite white...
Higher White Tor. at SX 620786. Longaford Tor is the darker block to the left while the various blocks of Beardown Tors are on the horizon. In between lies the West Dart valley.
Walking down through slightly awkward grass towards the West Dart. Some places are easier to walk through than others. A contrast to the easy walking along the top of the ridge. SX 614785
Moving down to the northern edge of Wistman's Wood. This is a small outlier of the wood that doesn't appear on the OS maps. The Beardown tors are on the opposite hillside with the West Dart valley in between. SX 612779
The interior of Wistman's wood. Gnarly small oaks grow amidst moss covered clitter. Although pretty and strange this unique wood is not easy to walk in. Lots of boulders with moss that can conceal the gaps in between.
The northern outlier of Wistman's wood in the autumn light with the top of Longaford tor just peeping above the horizon. We've just crossed the West Dart.
The west Dart headweir of the Devonport leat. This substantial leat was first constructed in 1793 to bring water to the rapidly expanding naval docks of Devonport. Water from three Dartmoor streams were abstracted, merged together and then taken down to a small reservoir in Moricetown, Plymouth. Although the leat's purpose has now been overtaken by more substantial water supplies - the leat still runs to Dousland. SX 608780
Walking beside the Devonport leat. There's a good flow moving briskly along. Originally, the leat conveyed over 2 million gallons of water daily to Devonport. Wistman's wood is in the middle distance. SX 611771
The SE view from the leat looking over to Crockern farm down the West Dart valley.
The leat passing through the Beardown plantation. SX 607759
The green swards of Beardown farm. Quite a contrast to the nearby moorland landscape.
The bridge over the Cowsic river. This is a delightful place and a big contrast to the moorland that came before on the walk. SX 603753
The woodland track leading from the Cowsic bridge to the main road.
This photo was taken from the main road at Two Bridges and shows the track that leads to Beardown Farm. SX 605750
The meeting of the Cowsic and the West Dart rivers - just upstream of Two Bridges. Maybe this spot should be called Two Rivers and Bridges...
 


All | Little | Shorter | Standard | Longer | Tors | Relics | History | Links | Panoramas | Home