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Horse Hole

Horse Hole is the name on the OS map for a rather featureless and exposed part of High Dartmoor that lies south of Cut Hill. Holes on Dartmoor usually refer to a narrowed river valley or gorge but there aren't any up on this plateau - except for the peat hags. Horse Hole is associated with the Summer Brook which drains into the West Dart. The Summer Brook rises in a shallow peaty pan and as it curves northwards it flows past the small wet hollow of Horse Hole which can be quite difficult to make out. Horse Hole country is worth visiting simply because it is exposed and high up so the views can be excellent. On a fine day with little wind the silence is almost oppressive.
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 to the high point between Lydford and Beardown Tors. Then walk NE down to the West Dart where it loops around at Foxholes. Continue up the West Dart valley, past the spread out boggy ground south of Brown's House and on up the valley to where an old wall crosses from Rough Tor to Wildbanks Hill. Then climb up to Rough Tor. This walk then took a diversion and went south down the plateau to visit Crow Tor and then back up to Rough Tor. From Rough Tor head NE over rather difficult and wet ground to get to Horse Hole - this may take a bit of finding as the depression isn't obvious. Then head south on the plateau to the Beardown Man and back to Lydford Tor. From there it's an easy walk back to Holming Beam
About 7 miles in army areas. This walk is in an exposed part of Dartmoor with awkward walking around Rough Tor and Horse Hole. In poor conditions compass navigation is essential as it would be very easy to get lost on the featureless plateau.
 
The north view from the car park near Holming Beam (SX 591765).
Looking north up the Cowsic valley from the wooden bridge at SX 595770.  On the right is Lydford Tor, on the left horizon is Maiden Hill
The Beardown Tors.
The West Dart as it loops around at Foxholes. Longaford Tor lies on the right horizon and you can just make out the tip of Higher White Tor on the left side.
Looking south down the West Dart valley from Foxholes. Longaford Tor on the hillside and you can just make out part of Wistman's Wood further on down the valley.
Foxholes with Crow Tor on the horizon.
A tinner's hut lies underneath that clump of vegetation.
A newtake wall crossing the West Dart at SX 610784.
The West Dart valley. This valley has an unusually flat floor with a number of stony terraces and lots of stones scattered around. This is partly because of the medieval tin streaming that took place around here.
Carrying on up the West Dart valley.
Remains of tinning beside the West Dart at SX 611790.
The West Dart at SX 611799 which is where the valley begins to narrow as it passes between the slopes of Wildbanks Hill and Rough Tor. Wildbanks Hill is on the right hand side.
This is where the Wildbank newtake wall crosses the West Dart at SX 610800.
Looking SE from the slopes (SX 610797) of Rough Tor. The area behind the West Dart is marshy and known as Brown's House bog. Higher White Tor is on the horizon.
Rough Tor (SX 606798). The profile looks like a submarine - or maybe a WW1 cruiser. Rough Tor is also known as Rowter where row rhymes with bough. Compare this name to the nearby Crow Tor.
The ridge leading down from Rough Tor towards Crow Tor. The ground around Rough Tor is rough and peaty but as we get nearer to Crow Tor then the grass becomes more of a comfortable sward.
Approaching Crow Tor.
The south view from Crow Tor. Beardown Tors lie straight ahead.
Crow Tor (SX 605787)
Heading back to Rough Tor.
Rough Tor (SX 606798).
The NE view from Rough Tor. Summer Hill is straight ahead on the horizon and on the left you can barely make out the line of the Summer Brook and Horse Hole.
Looking east from the upper part of the Summer Brook as it starts to run down off the plateau towards the West Dart. SX 600800.
The head of the Summer Brook with Summer Hill in the background. This ground is wetter than it may seem from the photo.
More rough ground. This picture was taken in early April before the grass starts to grow. There hasn't been a lot of rain so the ground is reasonable to walk on although there are hidden holes. Once the grass starts to grow then walking won't be as easy. And after rain this will be a very boggy place.
Dried moorgrass trapped in a hole.
The SE view from SX 600802. The depression of Horse Hole is in the centre midground just behind the rock. Rough Tor is on the horizon. The green scrub is easy to walk over - the brown grassland behind is a very different matter.
Another view of Horse Hole. You can barely make out the depression. Horse Hole is certainly big enough to fit a few Dartmoor horses in.
The upper part of Summer Brook (SX 601801). Rough Tor is on the horizon.
The low rocks of Devil's Tor and the menhir of Beardown Man (SX 596797).
Another view of the Beardown Man with Devil's Tor behind.
The unnamed tor at SX 597794
The NE view from a peat outcrop at SX 598789 with Rough Tor on the horizon.
Looking east along the newtake wall just north of Lydford Tor.
Some of the rocks of Lydford Tor (SX 599781)
Looking south from Lydford Tor towards Holming Beam.
 


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