Cosdon Hill & Oke Tor from Belstone

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.

Technical sheet

293134
A Belstone walk posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 13/09/16
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.68 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 6h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 534 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 528 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 545 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 226 m

Description

(S/E)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

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 297 m - Start: Brenamoor Common car park
  2. 1 : km 2.33 - alt. 241 m - Take path to right to leave Tarka Trail
  3. 2 : km 4.16 - alt. 267 m - Continue south at track junction
  4. 3 : km 6.75 - alt. 545 m - Cosdon Beacon
  5. 4 : km 12.3 - alt. 448 m - Oke Tor
  6. S/E : km 16.68 - alt. 296 m - Finish: Brenamoor Common car park

Useful Information

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.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 1 review

Clarity of route description
5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4 / 5
Walk interest
5 / 5
Sarah Courtney-Hughes
Sarah Courtney-Hughes

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 27/12/17
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ 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.

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