North Tavy Head

North Tavy Head lies in an isolated part of north Dartmoor where a peaty blanket bog covers the granite plateau. The wet peat fuels a number of river heads that arise in this area - the Tavy, the Walkham, the Cowsic, the West Dart. This walk takes in 3 of these heads although it wouldn't be difficult to include the Cowsic as well. The walk took place soon after a Dartmoor swaling had been completed (April 2007). Swaling is the burning of the scrub in order to thin out the old vegetation in order to allow new grass shoots to grow thus providing grazing for the livestock. Swaling also makes walking much easier although the scorched look (and smell) is a bit unusual.

Park by Holming Beam (SX 591765), walk up the track and take the left track that leads to Black Dunghill. Then head due north past Blackbrook Head, the unnamed hill until you get to the barely apparent path of the Lych Way on the side of Conies Down. There's a good view of the Walkham valley from here. Carry on straight north, cross Spriddle Lake and you should get to Walkham Head shortly after. Then change to a NE bearing which will take you to the Tavy valley. Follow the stream until you get to the North head. West Dart head is SE of Tavy head and the ground is hag ridden and probably rather wet. From West Dart head south and hug the contours which will take you to Horse Hole country. Then head SW back onto the plateau and then south to the Beardown Man, Lydford Tor and eventually Holming Beam.

This is a good walk of over 11 miles on the exposed Dartmoor fen. As the pictures show the walk was taken in nearly ideal conditions. The recent swaling made walking over the peat hags much easier. The ground around Tavy Head and Summer Brook can be awkward and you need to check for hidden holes in the grass. In poor weather this walk could get tricky. Clearly, a map and compass is needed even in good conditions. The walk is in the Merrivale military area.

	An army vehicle in the car park near Holming Beam (SX 591765). The army is practicing for the 2007 Ten Tors event.
	The path that leads up to Black Dunghill.
	Looking south from the edge of Black Dunghill.
	The north view from near Blackbrook Head at SX 581779. There are old peat workings on the side of the unnamed hill.
	The grassy expanses of the unnamed hill.
	Looking north from SX 580787. On the right are the slopes of Conies Down. Straight ahead lies the Walkham Valley. The black streak is Dartmoor swaling.
	Looking west into the Walkham valley and crossing the stream at SX 580795. This stream is a tribituary of Spriddle Lake and flows into the Walkham. Limsboro Cairn is on the horizon.
	The Spriddle Lake stream - SX 580803. This stream drains the western slopes of Maiden Hill.
	The slopes of Maiden Hill after swaling.
	The downstream view from Walkham Head.
	Walkham head - SX 580810. This is a good example of water draining out from the sodden peat of the upper fen. The water has carved a distinct channel through the peat.
	The upper Tavy valley. The recent swaling has had a dramatic effect on this isolated area.
	The Tavy just before it reaches Tavy Hole. Fur Tor on the horizon.
	The upper Tavy set in a post swaling scene.
	A Tavy peat hag after recent swaling. This ground is much easier to walk over.
	The green line maps out the stream bed of the upper Tavy in this post swaling black landscape.
	The remains of the tinner's hut at SX 594814. This hut is probably medieval and may not have been used for over 500 years. It's basically a heap of stones in an isolated part of Dartmoor.
	Looking northwards along the upper Tavy from SX 595815. The swaling has given this upper moorland scene an almost lunar aspect.
	Getting nearer to North Tavy Head.
	North Tavy Head. You can see the edge of the blanket bog that dominates this area.
	North Tavy Head - SX 595820. This is where water from the 12ft thick blanket bog that covers this area of the moor drips down into the nascent Tavy river.
	Another view of North Tavy Head.
	Looking southwards from North Tavy Head. Summer Hill is on the left horizon.
	Looking northwards from North Tavy Head on top of the blanket bog. Cut Hill is not far away.
	The rough fen at SX 597820
	Looking SE from the fen.
	West Dart Head - SX 601807. On the right is the edge of the blanket bog that feeds the West Dart that flows out to the left.
	The peaty grotto of West Dart Head.
	Rough fen at SX 603815
	Looking east down the unnamed valley at SX 601807. This stream joins with the Summer Brook and thence becomes a tribituary of the West Dart.
	Flat Tor - SX 603806. Altough one of the OS maps marks this as a tor - in reality these granite rocks hardly merit this accolade. Looking SE towards Rough Tor.
	Another shot of Flat Tor. Looking westward.
	The barely distinguishable depression of Horse Hole. Rough Tor on the left horizon.
	Looking towards Rough Tor with the Summer Brook in between.
	A hole in the grass near Horse Hole. Shows how careful you have to be in this area.!
	Devil's Tor and Beardown Man.
	The menhir of Beardown Man (SX 596797).
	An unnamed tor just south of Beardown Man. View looks SE towards Crow Tor and Longaford.
	The pool at SX 598789.