Lydford Tor

Lydford Tor is a prominent tor on the Beardown ridge just north of Two Bridges. It was probably called Lydford because the old Lich way passes beside it. The Lich Way which is an old track that moorpeople used to carry their dead to Lydford church. Lydford parish was a large parish so proper burial wasn't easy for people living in the more remote areas of the moor. The walk also includes part of the beautiful Walkham valley and the prison leat. 

Park by Holming Beam (SX 591765), walk up the track, cross the sile and head NW towards Black Dunghill. Skirt over the southern slope and carry on NW until you cross the Prison Leat. Follow the leat up the Walkham valley until you get to the Lich Path ford. Follow the Lich Way eastwards over Conies Down, cross the Cowsic at a convenient place and then make for the prominent peaks of Lydford and Beardown tors.

Not a difficult walk. There is a little climbing around the Cowsic and some peaty ground on Black Dunghill. In bad weather you could easily get disorientated. Allow 2.5 - 3 hours.

This walk is within one of the military ranges.

	The north view from the car park near Holming Beam (SX 591765). This area is used a lot by the military when the ranges are in use.
	The flat mound of Black Dunghill is straight in front with Great Mis Tor on the left horizon. You can see the marks of the peat cuttings on the hillside. Taken at SX 588770.
	Looking back towards Holming Beam from the south side of Black Dunghill.
	Looking NW from Black Dunghill over the featureless peaty landscape of Greena Ball and Cocks Hill. In wet weather this would be a depressing place to be, but in the sun it was rather good.
	We meet the Prison Leat at SX 575779. Cocks Hill on the left.
	Cocks Hill is straight in front. This is where the Walkham changes direction and heads off west. This is a very secluded spot.
	Following the leat as we walk up the Walkham valley. The leat was built to convey water from the Walkham to the prison when it was first built.
	Looking northwards up the Walkham valley at SX 574789.
	Sandy Ford - the Walkham / Lich Way ford at SX 573792. On the left hillside are the remains of Wheal Prosper - an old tin mine.
	A nicely built bridge over the Prison Leat beside the Walkham ford.
	Part of the Lich Way track as it traverses Conies Down at SX 581790. The Lich Way  stretches from Bellever to Lydford - about 14 miles.
	Looking southwards across the Cowsic valley from Conies Down. The Beardown Tors can be seen in the distance.
	Walking beside the newtake wall at SX 593785. Our destination - Lydford Tor is on the horizon.
	Lydford Tor (SX 599781)
	Looking over the Beardown Tors from Lydord Tor.
	Looking back at Lydford Tor from Beardown.
	One of the Beardown rocks.
	The wooden footbridge that crosses the Cowsic stream at SX 595770. The military use this a lot. Just below here the Devonport Leat loops around the Cowsic.