A demanding Dartmoor walk that requires careful navigation and preferably good weather. The route uses a section of the Tarka Trail, visits some ancient monuments and visits the summits of a number of granite tors.
Calculated time: 6h15[?] 
Distance : 10.36mi
Vertical gain : 1752ft
Vertical drop : 1732ft
Highest point : 1788ft
Lowest point : 741ft (D/A)The start is the small car park on Brenamoor Common (grid ref. SX621938) at the northern edge of the village of Belstone. After parking exit the car park and turn left into the village. Keep straight ahead at the first road junction and then bear left at the next passing the chapel on your left. At grid ref. SX619934 go left onto the signed Tarka Trail. Cross the footbridge over the River Taw and bear left still on the Tarka Trail continuing into Belstone Cleave. The path crosses the river (grid ref. SX628937) and continues along the north bank for some way before re-crossing to the south bank (grid ref. SX631938).
(1)Just after this footbridge take the path on your right to leave the Tarka Trail. The path leaves the woodland (grid ref. SX637938), becomes a bridleway and crosses two fields before turning left through woodland and becoming a clear track, which takes you to a metalled road at Ford Farm (grid ref. SX644935). Here take the second bridleway of two bridleways on your right and continue south and then east to reach a junction of tracks (grid ref. SX645931).
(2)Turn right here and follow the bridleway south reaching open country after 800 metres. The onward route then continues between walled fields to enter open country again and the Stone Row at grid ref. SX644915). From here turn right and make for the summit of Cosdon Beacon with its trig point (grid ref. SX636915) following a clear path that is not marked on OS maps.
(3)The next objective is Little Hound Tor which lies to the south. Again there is a path which is not marked on OS maps. Continue roughly southwest to Hound Tor (grid ref. SX628890). The route then turns west to Steeperton Tor (grid ref. SX618887) from where a steeper descent west leads to a clear path heading north to Oke Tor (grid ref. SX612900).
(4)From the summit continue north along a clear ridge descending to reach a wider track. The final summit of the day is Belstone Tor (grid ref. SX614920) which is reached on a clear path crossing the Irishman's Wall before the highest point. The final descent of the day takes down clitter strewn slopes to reach the Tarka Trail near Nine Stones stone circle. All that remains is to continue into Belstone village and return to the car park.
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 974ft - Start: Brenamoor Common car park
1 : mi 1.45 - alt. 791ft - Take path to right to leave Tarka Trail
2 : mi 2.58 - alt. 876ft - Continue south at track junction
3 : mi 4.19 - alt. 1788ft - Cosdon Beacon
4 : mi 7.65 - alt. 1470ft - Oke Tor
D/A : mi 10.36 - alt. 971ft - Finish: Brenamoor Common car park
This Dartmoor walk explores some of the many granite tors in the north-eastern part of the National Park. In fine weather navigation skills required are minimal. However, with poor visibility you will need a good sense of direction. A relevant OS 1:25,000 map is essential.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.67/5
Number of opinions : 1
Description quality : 5/5
Routemap quality : 4/5
Walk interest : 5/5
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 28/12/17
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
A great walk made even better by a fantastic day of winter sun, blur sky and snow covering the moor.
I found the description of the walk easy to follow but I did plot it on my map before setting off. I liked the fact the walk took in a non moorland section along with stunning moorland views. There was no problem with navigation because the visibility was excellent and I could easily see the route.
Some very steep areas but as far as I'm concerned it enhanced the walk, something to get the blood pumping.
I will definitely be using Hikeideas again for future walks. Thank you.
6.52mi
+1168ft
-1155ft
4h00
Average 
Starting point in South Tawton - Devon A Dartmoor walk that includes the most north-easterly summit in the National Park which offers some fine views especially to the north. The route needs careful navigation at the start and in poor weather you need a good sense of direction and compass skills.
4.04mi
+243ft
-256ft
2h05
Average
Starting point in Throwleigh - Devon A beautiful walk past granite Devon longhouses and open moorland on the edge of Dartmoor. It's recommended to do this walk clockwise as the last footpath is difficult to find going in the other direction.
14.89mi
+1430ft
-1594ft
8h05
Average
Starting point in Drewsteignton - Devon Stage 6 is a tricky navigational test as we leave the Dartmoor National Park and head into Mid Devon. The route crosses the A 30, the main Exeter to Barnstaple rail line and the busy A 377. There's plenty to keep you occupied and some pretty hamlets to go through (avoiding some interesting villages, so you might be tempted to go off-route at some point).
7.2mi
+876ft
-883ft
4h05
Average
Starting point in Lydford - Devon The wild open speces of Dartmoor can be appreciated on this walk. The route takes you past a number of rocky tors, visits an area used for peat cutting and follows a section of the Rattlestone Peat Railway. All in all a walk full of interest.
14.78mi
+1808ft
-1808ft
8h20
Difficult
Starting point in Chagford - Devon A circular walk in the east of Dartmoor following roads and paths, including sections of the Two Moors Way. The walk includes a mix of open moorland, footpaths and quiet roads where the farming hinterlands meet the moor. Except for the section north of the road near the Warren House Inn, all the paths are well-trodden and waymarked. There are some steep sections. Apart from the high moors, this walk is fairly sheltered from the prevailing SW winds.
2.35mi
+453ft
-453ft
1h30
Easy
Starting point in Peter Tavy - Devon A circular walk with beautiful views over Dartmoor Tavy Cleave
6.75mi
+659ft
-692ft
3h40
Average
Starting point in Dartmoor Forest - Devon This is an unmarked hike (but mainly obvious paths during clear days) located on the easter side of Dartmoor National Park. During this trip, you will enjoy peaceful moors, great views from tops and stone circles historic site.
3mi
+308ft
-276ft
1h40
Easy
Starting point in Dartmoor Forest - Devon It's an easy family walk leading to panoramic views from Bellever Tor. During the way back you could also discover Stone Row and Cairn circles.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
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