The Avon Mires

Many Dartmoor river heads are fairly isolated and bleak places. The Avon (or Aune) Head is certainly one of these places. You can find three extensive mires beside the headwaters of the Avon - Aune Head, Fishlake and Ryder's. All fit in with one's preconceptions of a Dartmoor bog - ie. they are all wet and fairly impassable except in the driest of weather. However, don't let that put you off because they are fascinating places to visit. They are not lifeless wildernesses, but support a surprising diversity of life - and not just birds! On a still sunny day, the silence becomes quite intense and you're aware of just how removed you are from civilisation. At this point the experience becomes unforgettable. This walk was prompted by Michael Hedge's vivid description of this area in "Escape to Dartmoor". He refers to it as "one of the innermost sanctums of Dartmoor".

Park at Combestone Tor (SX 670718) and take the southern path that leads up to Ryder's Hill. Then head SW from Ryder's down the hill towards the Avon valley and Fishlake mire. The ground is awkwardly grassy and could be rather wet. Cross the river in the valley and head over towards the tinner's hut beside Fishlake. Then head due north over Naker's Hill until you encounter the barely visible line of Sandy Way. Alternatively, you could follow the foot of the slopes of Naker's Hill which takes you on a longer route around the western edge of Aune Head mire. At Sandy Way turn to the east and this will take you beside Aune Head. You can carry on the Sandy Way until you reach Holne Ridge from where you can head back down to Combestone Tor.

This is not an easy walk. The ground is often wet and awkward to walk on. Navigation can be more tricky than usual owing to the featureless terrain (apart from Red Lake). Adverse conditions could quickly make this walk quite hazardous. However, on a sunny day this walk is surprisingly straightforward. About 6 - 7 miles. Lots of extension possibilities.

	The car park at Combestone Tor.
	A reave that crosses the lower part of Holne moor. Photo taken at SX 669713 and looking due west towards Down ridge.
	A band of Ten Tors participants. They're busy training up here during the spring months.
	The bland wastelands of Holne Ridge just north of Ryder's Hill.
	The markers of Ryder's Hill. The short pillar is inscribed with an "H" (for Holne) and is also known as Petre on the Mount. The taller one has a "B" for Buckfastleigh and is also called Petre's Bound stone.
	The rather featureless grasslands that lead down from Ryder's Hill towards the Avon. Naker's Hill is straightahead.
	More grassland.
	The view of the Avon from SX 649685 - looking northwards. This is where the contours of Naker's and Ryder's Hill meet to form a little valley. Aune Head mire lies behind this valley.
	The Avon just as it starts to spread out across the flat plain that contains Fishlake mire.
	A tinner's hut on the left bank of the Avon at SX 649684.
	The Fishlake Mire tinner's hut at SX 646681. This hut lies near the main outfall of the Mire. It's a pretty isolated place. It's easy to imagine this hut - originally low lying and covered with green moss. Would have been quite well camouflaged and probably rather smoky at night.
	Another view of the well preserved hut. You can see the remains of the fireplace and a sign whose inscription has now quite vanished. Behind the hut lies part of Fishlake mire.
	Looking NW towards the tinner's hut and Naker's Hill. Fishlake Mire is on the left. This was originally a tarn fed by the upper Avon that contained fish such as trout and salmon. It was drained by tinners over 400 years ago.
	One of the outflows of the mire - almost hidden by the grass and reeds.
	Looking back over Fishlake Mire from the side of Naker's Hill at SX 646686.
	The east view from on top of Naker's Hill. Ryder's Hill on the horizon. Naker's Hill has to be one of the moor's most desolate grassy areas.
	More bleached and featureless grassland. Can you see the two sheep?
	The western edge of Aune Head.
	Another view of the edge of Aune Head.
	Aune Head mire. Not a good idea to step out into this.
	What animal do we have here foraging on a sunny Saturday afternoon?
	The south view from a tinner's hut beside Sandy Way and Aune head at SX 650697. Directly behind the hut you can see where the Aune drains out down the valley that leads to Fishlake.
	Looking north from the top of Holne Ridge.
	Horn's Cross. The top of the cross is 14th century and marks a former crossroads between the track that joined the abbeys of Buckfast and Tavistock and the track that led from Dartmeet to South Brent.
	One of the reaves marking the extensive settlements that once housed people in the Bronze Age - SX 672712. Yar Tor down on the horizon.
	Looking over towards Combestone Tor.