West Dart Head

West Dart Head is an isolated place within the grassy wilderness of inner Dartmoor. It is probably not often visited and so is very tranquil and seems far away from the rest of Devon. On a sunny day this is an ideal place to spend some time. In the rain or mist it would have an atmosphere all of it's own.

Park at the National Park bookshop at Postbridge (SX 646788) and take the Drift Lane path which starts at the western end of the car park. Proceed past Roundy Park, head in a NW direction, cross Braddon lake, walk up and over Broad Down and down to Sandy Hole Pass. At Broad Marsh head SW towards the peat pass (compass needed) from where it is easy to get to Flat Tor. Then head west to West Dart head. Then head down the West Dart valley on the west bank. The ground is rough in a couple of places but not difficult. Cross the river to get to Wildbanks Hill and then head back home via Brown's House. The ground around here can be quite wet - especially around Cherry Brook.

This walk takes about 4-5 hours. It is not a difficult walk, but wet ground abounds around Flat Tor and Wildbanks Hill. Navigation could get difficult in poor visibility owing to the low contours and relatively few markers around West Dart head. Be aware of any red flags flying - this walk goes inside the military range.

	The view towards Broad Down from Drift Lane at SX 637796.
	Approaching Sandy Hole Pass.
	Sandy Hole Pass.
	The East Dart as it flows down towards the waterfall.
	The NE view over Winney's Down from the side of the East Dart at SX 618818.
	A stone marking the start of one of Frank Phillpott's peat passes at SX 612814.
	Alan walking along the peat pass.
	Looking south from Flat Tor. On the left is Wildbanks Hill and on the right is the distinctive shape of Rough Tor. The West Dart flows down between these two hills.
	The SW view from Flat Tor.
	Alan striding towards West Dart Head.
	The diminutive trickle of West Dart Head at SX 602816.
	Another tribituary of West Dart Head.
	The West Dart emerges from the peat.
	The West Dart wending it's way down across the plain.
	Crossing Summer Brook at SX 606807.
	Wildbanks Hill from SX 608805.
	The NE view from SX 608805. The West Dart flows quietly through the grassy wilderness. Directly in front lies the insignificant pile of Flat Tor.
	Looking up the West Dart valley from SX 609802
	The West Dart as it flows past Wildbanks Hill from SX 609802.
	Looking south over Brown's Bog from the side of Wildbanks Hill.
	The desolation of Brown's House - SX 615799.
	A recently dead sheep near Brown's House.
	Wet ground around the source of the Cherry Brook - SX 619799.
	Looking down Hollowcombe Bottom from SX 621797.
	A Dartmoor pony at Broad Down.
	Looking over towards Higher White Tor from Broad Down at SX 622799. Hollowcombe Bottom lies below the hillside.
	The view towards Postbridge from Broad Down.