Wheal Prosper

Wheal Prosper (SX 573794) was an old tin working that was anything but prosperous. The mine was managed by Rowse and was working in 1790 when a small amount of tin was produced. It is situated in an isolated moorland valley up the Walkham Valley. Remains of a gert, filled in shafts, a wheel pit and a stamping floor are all present in this lonely secluded part of the moor. After visiting it one can appreciate the privations that the tinners experienced in their search for metal.

This walk starts at the popular Pork Hill car park (SX 531751) on the Princetown - Tavistock road. Head up towards Cox Tor and head off in a NW direction towards White Tor. After taking in the spectacular views (if the weather permits) then walk in an easterly direction towards the White Barrow. A newtake wall helps you navigate. At the White Barrow you briefly join the old Lich Path before turning off at the Walkham ford to visit Wheal Prosper. Head southwards skirting Cocks Hill and  turn westwards over Peter Tavy Great Common. Make for Roos Tor and your way back to the car park is clear.

This walk is fairly straightforward but takes you to the edge of the Northern Dartmoor wilderness. It is about 8 miles long and takes in a few climbs as well as tramping over undulating ground. Allow about 4 hours at a reasonable pace.  A map and compass must be taken. Adverse weather could quickly make this walk a challenge - especially around the mine area.

	The car park at Pork Hill (SX 531751). Quite a few ponies hang out here hoping for titbits from well intentioned but foolish tourists.
	Looking up towards Cox Tor from the car park.
	Looking back over Pork Hill car park from Cox Tor.
	Cox Tor (SX 532762). Cox Tor is made of dolerite not granite. The shallow grassy mounds in front of the tor are composed of a fine silty loam that resulted from weathering during the Ice Age.
	An easterly view of Roos and Great Staple Tors from Cox Tor.
	Heading towards Wedlake from Cox Tor.
	Looking eastwards toward Roos Tor from SX 535768.
	Wedlake Ford. White Tor is on the horizon.
	Old settlements near Wedlake as we climb towards White Tor.
	An old boundary wall at SX 540781.
	White Tor  (SX 543787) looking north towards Tavy Cleave. White Tor has the remains of very old fortifications. There are splendid views from here.
	White Tor looking east towards Cocks Hill.
	A southerly view over Peter Tavy Great Common at SX 549789. You can see Great Mis Tor and the standing stone with some boggy ground in the middle foreground.
	Looking back towards White Tor from near the White Barrow.
	White Barrow (SX 565793). This was one of the boundary points of the perumbulation of Dartmoor in 1240.
	The path leading down towards Wheal Prosper. This is the upper part of the Walkham valley and it leads towards the wilderness of North Dartmoor.
	The remains of the waterwheel of Wheal Prosper with some nice fen leading into Spriddle Lake. Summer Hill lies on the horizon.
	Remains of the tin miner's shelter at Wheal Prosper.
	Looking down the Walkham Valley as the river cuts between Great Mis Tor (in the mist) on the left and Great Staple Tor and Roos Tor on the right.
	The Bronze age Langstone Stone Circle (SX 556782). Sadly, this was damaged by soldiers during training exercises in the 2nd World War.
	Heading back towards Roos Tor over Peter Tavy Great Common.
	Approaching the rock formations of Roos Tor (SX 543767).
	Roos Tor.
	Roos Tor.
	A southerly view from Roos Tor looking over at Great Staple Tor
	Heading back towards the car park.