var x = document.getElementById('password'); Which is exactly why I love it. You can find more walks near these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select). However, the first topographical survey of the area carried out by Ordnance Survey suggested that High Willhays was 12 feet (3.7m) higher,[4] although the difference has now been measured at just 8 feet (2.4m). Ansum! Meldon Reservoir. DICE Dental International Congress and Exhibition. In fact Black Mountain (703m) on the border between Herefordshire (England) and Powys (Wales) is considerably higher than both Crowden Head (Kinder Scout) (636m) and High Willhays (621m). Construction began in 1970 in response to increasing demand for domestic water supply. //-->, High Just below Meldon Reservoir, the west Okement River flows down into Old Meldon Pond (also known as Meldon Pool), a glorious wild swimming spot secluded under the Meldon Viaduct. The city of Exeter is the county town. High Willhays - Wild Running High Willhays Distance: 8 miles (12.5km) Ascent: 541 metres Start/finish: Meldon Dam car park, EX20 4LU Cross the dam and turn R onto the Meldon Reservoir shore path to the far end and then up the West Okement River to the woodland (2.1 miles/3.4km). High Willhays is the highest point in Dartmoor National Park and and the highest point in the county of Devon. There was the very faint sign of previous passage to Dartmoor is bleak, unforgiving, stunningly beautiful and at the same time a cruel vicious landscape. Yes Tor was for years thought to be the The more impressive, but slightly lower, Yes Tor is about 1km (58 mile) north along this ridge, which is known as "the roof of Devon".[6]. load all 24 walk photos from Walk de177 Yes Tor and High Willhays from Meldon Reservoir, Send us your photographs and pictures from your walks and hikes. High Willhays Meldon Viaduct Meldon Dam, Okehampton Devon There is a large car park at Meldon Dam, with toilets and a map of the area. if (x.type === 'password') { Do not follow this link or you will be banned from this site. It has an abundance of archaeology and is a haven for wildlife including some rare species. Trending; . Leave a comment. Last ditch attempt to save Meldon Gorge. Where is Meldon dam? % The average height of the moor, however, is around 1,200ft (366m). [email address] (NB. Cross this and turn right, From Meldon Reservoir car park, climb the steps next to the toilets and Was a bloody chilly morning (and night) on Prewley Moor but what a view! The National Trust's Lydford Gorge, Devon, is the deepest gorge in the South West and has a spectacular 30m waterfall. . As the army use the section of Dartmoor which includes High Willhays and Yes Tor it is worth checking the free phone number (0800 4584568) to see if it is in use. The water was bracing and though my family think I'm bonkers I found it most pleasant. I had seen the highest point on Dartmoor and had walked 151 feet above a river on a marvel of Victorian railway engineering. I have given some Meldon Dam relevant compass bearings. Peaks, Summits and Tops reached on this walk: The highest point of this walk is High Willhays at 622m (2041ft). Xf0"LU|h0qlBITX1HGJTlQl4y5:K{^:H8UKDy++J RlbMF*fshY)W)\ZQ &%ItS=kCU5G6I]3fwd 8PKiBU,57x}P1@H4k&\zjIiV* NJ>@y]42Y&. You More than a stepping stone to High Willhays and Yes Tor, Meldon Reservoir is in high open moorland, almost 300 metres above sea level. The city of Exeter is the county town. There are a few very pleasant looking pubs on route in to Okehampton but I was not able to test them! The remains of the largest castle in Devon, in a stunning setting on a wooded spur above the rushing River Okement. . The weather forecast gave only a 10% chance of rain so we diligently packed our wet weather gear, extra layers and some sandwiches and looked at the trusty OS map. Tagged: Black-a-Tor Copse, Dartmoor, Dinger Tor, Fordsland Ledge, High Willhays, hike, hiking, Lints Tor, Meldon, reservoir, walk, walking, Yes Tor. Walkers are welcomed when the range is not being used and to avoid Some is over open ground and although well walked, hand side of the large rock. created. It is worth mentioning here that this walk is in parts of the Okehampton firing range and it is worth checking the government website for firing times before you walk. The reservoir sits below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England. [email address] (NB. Walking up High Willhays. Parking at Meldon Reservoir SX561 918 (a pay and display carpark) we headed out of the carpark and turned left along the footpath . From Meldon Viaduct I retraced my steps back towards the car park at the reservoir. Climb to the highest point on Dartmoor on this splendid circular walk in the Dartmoor . The dam is a concrete gravity structure 50.9m high, with a span of 201m. High Willhays is the highest point in Dartmoor National Park and and the highest point in the county of Devon. Completing this walk will also take you to the top of Yes Tor at 619m (2031ft). To close this message click anywhere outside this window. It didn't dampen anyone's spirits, indeed the children seemed to be happier in the rain than they had been on the warmer days out in the summer. Required fields are marked *. on the track recorded automatically as I walked so should be accurate. and we shall do our best to publish them. go4awalk.com and go4awalk.co.uk are registered trademarks of TMDH Limited. Construction of the dam started in 1970 and was completed in 1972.The reservoir covers some 57 acres. Address: Meldon Reservoir, Okehampton, Devon. A couple of Sunday's back we decided to take a trip up to Meldon Reservoir which is just outside of Okehampton. 2. The military have been using Dartmoor for over 200 years and this walk is partly within a live firing range. I'd seen a photo of Black-A-Tor Copse SX566 890 on Instagram and thought it'd be a lovely place to take my camera. %PDF-1.5 hand outcrop which is Black Tor. . It was a long uphill slog and the ground was sodden but we weren't deterred. Black-A-Tor Copse is one of the best examples of high altitude oak woodland in Britain. Okehampton. Just as we reached the top of Yes Tor the heavens opened and so we took refuge under some rocks. One of the beautiful reservoirs which is home to many water species and also the location is naturally beautiful for a picnic. Gemma Commercial quarrying (originally for limestone) started at Meldon around 200 years ago. High Willhays are very good and the West Okement River valley you follow Follow the track, pick my way around the granite boulders and arrive 619 metres above sea level. Branch off to the left (SX 570905). hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dartmoor-firing-programme. High Willhays is the highest point in Dartmoor National Park and and the highest point in the county of Devon. TMDH Limited 2000-2023. /* walks */ (281 magnetic). From there it was up to Yes Tor and High Willhays, where the wind really was blowing something. (a pay and display carpark) we headed out of the carpark and turned left along the footpath towards the Dam. There are a number of compulsory checkpoints at which all runners MUST give their number to the stewards. Meldon Dam Car Park: OS Grid Ref: SX 56154 91787 Longstone Hill: OS Grid Ref: SX 56942 90492 Yes Tor: OS Grid Ref: SX 58072 90155 High Willhays: OS Grid Ref: SX 58032 89217 Black Tor: OS Grid Ref: SX 56627 89490 West Okement River: OS Grid Ref: SX 56052 89827 Meldon Reservoir: OS Grid Ref: SX 55969 90842 Meldon Viaduct: OS Grid Ref: SX 56444 92302. The gorge is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its geology, flora and fauna. Meldon Dam blocks the West Okement River, creating a large reservoir to its south west (upstream) side. Completing this walk will also take you to the top of Yes Tor at 619m (2031ft). Photos cannot do the location justice. High Willhays and Yes Tor are the only summits in England south of Kinder Scout in the Peak District to rise above 2,000ft. UV: Low;. High Willhays or, according to some authors, High Willes is the highest point on Dartmoor, Devon, at 621 metres (2,039 feet) above sea level, and the highest point in the United Kingdom south of the Brecon Beacons. }. For those unsure as to the purpose of the humble trig point, these were constructed in the 1930s to help with the retriangulation of Great Britain. Fernworthy is a great place to Discover the Dartmoor Story. Dartmoor had always conjured up images of bleak moorland, high tors, deep marshes and swirling mists. to the riverbank. Anyone been there? This National Nature Reserve of 170ha mainly consists of a model example of the upland heathland and has a wealth of moorland birds. Here there are clear paths, at least in its lower slopes. View south up the valley of the West Okement River from High Willhays. go4mailvariable=('walk_pics' + '@' + go4mailvariable) We were now surrounded by clouds giving us the perfect opportunity to teach our eldest (who is hoping to achieve her Bronze Duke Of Edinburgh award) some highly important lessons in using a compass. The start is the car park and toilets (Grid ref. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. After the last Courtenay owner fell foul of Henry VIII in 1539, the castle declined into a ruin. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The car park at the east end of Meldon Reservoir. High Willhays 6 miles (9 km) Climb to the highest point on Dartmoor on this splendid circular walk in the Dartmoor National Park. I had an idea what to expect but until I stood directly beneath the towering superstructure I really didnt know justhow awesome it would be. A vast dam wall rises from the floor of the West Okement Valley. damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it. Wistman's Wood is an ancient forest that has largely been left to grow wild, free of destruction, or shaping by humans or large animals. document.write('' + go4mailvariable + '<\/a>') The sharpness of the fractured rocks, the twists and turns of every footstep, water running from every crevice. [4], The Place-Names of Devon (1931) notes that the peak was named Hight Wyll in a document of 1532, and was known in 1827 as High Willows. Sorry, but your browser does not appear to be accepting our cookies. Meldon Dam is now owned and operated by South West Water. Enough time to glance at the map and plot a compass bearing west towards Black Tor, overlooking West Okement River. Yes Tor is also known as an English Nuttall (237th highest in England, 412th highest in England & Wales). You can also submit photos from walk de177 Yes Tor and High Willhays from Meldon Reservoir via our Facebook Page. The geology of High Willhays, like most of Dartmoor, consists of granite intruded about 280 million years ago. I was of course very wrong and my hike to Yes Tor, High Willhays and the Meldon Dam and Viaduct proved that. Hiking info, trail maps, and 55 trip reports from High Willhays (621 m) in the Dartmoor of United Kingdom . Completing this walk will also take you to the top of Yes Tor at 619m (2031ft). 04:07. When the track splits, take the left fork, The Minister's decision letter backing the Meldon reservoir was published in November 1968. following the broad track by the reservoir. however. MELDON RESERVOIR TO HIGH WILLHAYS VIA A ROUNDABOUT ROUTE START POINT: MELDON RES GRID REFERENCE: 562917 John Skinner had planned a route from Meldon Reservoir going upto the Moors via Okehampton Station but F&M restrictions put paid to that and he had to rejig the walk to avoid restricted areas. . Once I had found the correct road to Meldon Reservoir the route was very straightforward. High Willhays Stone Ring Cairn Circle SE, 144, 3.192 km 620 m Contour Ring, High Willhays SE, 144, 3.194 km Meldon Reservoir is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the northwest section of the National Park. Store. 40.00. Intermediate. Meldon Reservoir and Black Tor Moderate 4.5 (183) Dartmoor National Park Photos (380) Directions Print/PDF map Length 7.6 kmElevation gain 272 mRoute type Circular Experience this 7.6-km circular trail near Okehampton, Devon. For help see Help. 12.1 km. fractionally west of south (205 magnetic) on the obvious track to High He also posited a possible link to the word gwili meaning winding or tortuous, but said it was unlikely this was where it originated from. . I was briefly thrown on arrival because it was a pay car park and the machine wanted actual coins. . Recommended. The approach to Yes Tor from the west is deceptive, you cannot see the trig point and radio aerial at all. xYK7h*ZffwLr98^qmlHSil3;zT}z? I finished the walk off with a peer through the fencing at the gently decaying rolling-stock of theDartmoor Railway, their fully restored rolling-stock carries tourists and enthusiasts at certain times of the year over 15 miles of track. 400 m. 410 m. Intermediate Hiking Tour From Parking. running through it, which feeds the Meldon Reservoir. x.type = 'text'; Avon Dam Reservoir is one of eight Dartmoor reservoirs. In a previous life I was fortunate to be able to work in a water treatment plant, so I have a good understandingof all that is hidden below. Please send them as email attachments (configured for any computer) along with your name to: RM 2BCCM52 - The spillway of Meldon Dam (1972), showing overflow of the West Olement River from Meldon Reservoir, Dartmoor National Park, Devon, UK. Willhays, thanks to modern surveying methods. "From Meldon reservoir car park, climbed 400m peak directly south then headed on to climb Black Tor. You can follow hisblog here too. Although it is the highest point of the moor, it is relatively insignificant in comparison to most of the moor's tors, consisting of no more than a few low outcrops of rock along a northsouth ridge. boulder field just before the large rock. As I walked across the dam, water and machinery could be heard rumbling away deep beneaththe concrete superstructure. Light snow changing to overcast by late morning. Surprisingly the water is bright green; not due to algae but due to the minerals in the rock in this former limestone quarry. Maximum daytime temperature: 3 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: -1 degrees Celsius. One of the highlights of a landscape with an abundance of rock is the making of cairns, small monuments of stones, dedicated to long forgotten causes. Tracks across High Willhays to Yes Tor. With the last of my lunch filling my bellyand a healthy dose of wellbeing filling my soul it was time to head back towards Meldon Reservoir via a path along the banks of the West Okement River. back to Meldon Reservoir is very pretty. IntroductionThis Dartmoor walk to Yes Tor and High Willhays takes place to a large . tedontour LIFE MEMBER which protects some plant (water abstraction or whatever) but soon returns Your email address will not be published. The viaduct was opened in 1874 and is still standing proud in 2015. Discover the best hikes and paths to High Willhays in Okehampton Hamlets, West Devon. 621 making them the highest summits South of the Peak District. All rights reserved. At least = 660 pixels (wide) x 440 pixels (high).). the left are the red and white poles which mark the boundary of the Then cut across boggy marsh . I took a slight detour to High Willhays and came back via the more interesting Yes Tour. After the last Courtenay owner fell foul of Henry VIII in 1539, the castle declined into a ruin. you off. I've been feeling rather overwhelmed this past couple of weeks with work and various life "stuff" so this camp was. There are the remains of extensive peat works to the southeast of Lyd Head including the evocatively named Bleak House. As mentioned in all the walking guides, Yes Tor is not actually as high as High Willhays but the view is much better, and the top is more, erm, interesting shall we say. Expert Answers: Meldon Reservoir and Black Tor is a 4.6 mile loop trail located near Okehampton, Devon, England that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Getting to the High Willhayes and Yes Tor Circular Walk Trailhead. Head to the left of these and you will see the Yesterday we decided we needed a Dartmoor fix. (Guide Resolution = 300dpi. Yes Tor is also known as an English Nuttall (237th highest in England, 412th highest in England & Wales). summit. Sent to us by Andrew Ross, a viewer, this walk was a great day on Dartmoor. Really hope you're all ok!! There is also a spectacular dam with wonderful views over the West Okement valley. Yes Tor is also known as an English Nuttall (237th highest in England, 412th highest in England & Wales). You shouldnt let the limited public access put you off exploring safely this part of Dartmoor as it is very bleak and atmospheric, drama and remoteness but easily accessible by road. A vast dam wall rises from the floor of the West Okement Valley. Meldon Reservoir is situated northwest of Yes Tor , and northwest of High Willhays . Cookies must be enabled for you to Log On successfully. Unlike sunsets that donthold his attention for long, this working landscape captivated him whilst I watched and ate my humble lunch. I apologise for the lack of drama in my opening words, the failing to enthuse. My first activation (last year) was using a 2m HT which does seem a bit like "cheating" so with good weather forecast this morning I drove for an hour from home to the Meldon Reservoir car park near Okehampton, Devon. All Rights Reserved. There is a large cairn marking its summit. Copyright | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Statement, Find New Walking Friends & Walking Groups, Questions & Answers about Walking & Hiking, load all 29 walk photos from Walk de139 Yes Tor, High Willhays and Black Tor from Meldon Reservoir. go4awalk.com and go4awalk.co.uk are registered trademarks of TMDH Limited. Construction of the dam started in 1970 and was completed in 1972.The We all walk at a slightly different pace so use the slider to calculate the time you will take on the walk. The only remaining recourse available to the objecting amenity societies was an appeal to the Parliamentary Ombudsman that an injustice had been done. If If you're coming from the south, the A386 brings you here too. The authors state that the name may simply be a compound of high and well (meaning spring), though they admit that the additional syllable at the end is hard to explain. At the north end by the car park the Meldon Dam (1972) is a striking photo opportunity, while you can take a picnic by the water on a sunny day and watch fishers catching brown trout. Willhays. It has an abundance of archaeology and is a haven for wildlife including some rare species. hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the Hiking undefined on the OS map. I took a slight detour to High Willhays and came back via the more interesting Yes Tour. 1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map(the ones with orange/yellow covers): 1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map(the ones with pink/magenta covers): Some Photos and Pictures from Walk de139 Yes Tor, High Willhays and Black Tor from Meldon Reservoir, The bridge at the southern end of Meldon Reservoir, West Mill Tor from Yes Tor with Okehampton and North Devon in background, Ascending Longstone Hill from Meldon Reservoir with Sourton Tors on the horizon, . 2020 by Mum on Dartmoor. With that in mind, it is worth remembering that one should not 13.6 km 4:05 h 410 m 410 m meldon reservoir carpark, up to high willhays, camp, down to the car park again in a loop. John Kelly % This strenuous 12km circular walk on Dartmoor's north moor, takes in the highest point (High Willhays) once again as well as a selection of fantastic Tor's (West Mill Tor, Yes Tor and Rowtor) and views of Meldon Resrvoir. Begun soon after the Norman Conquest as a motte and bailey castle with a stone keep, it was converted into a sumptuous residence in the 14th century by Hugh Courtenay, Earl of Devon, much of whose work survives. walking parallel with the little valley to the left. I dont think these intrusions detract from the beauty of the moors. Head for these and you will soon catch The weather was nice and we enjoyed the rare pleasure of sitting outside of our tent for a bit, rather than rushing inside to escape cold and rain as so often is the . Before walking on the firing ranges you need to check online or by telephone for the published firing dates and on the day of your walk you should always check for red flags flying from the observation points along the marked range boundaries. Wistmans Wood is in the Dart river valley and has views of wild Devon that you wont find anywhere else in the country. Either distracted by food, weather or the MOD firing guns! meldon reservoir to high willhays. At the next fork (SX 568910), go left again. The reservoir sits below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England. The reservoir is fed by West Okement River that continues north after the reservoir and runs through Okehampton, where it meets the East Okement River. Trip.com 1 3392TWD Trip.com! Keep right for the next 1.3 km and turn right, where you will find the car park on the left in 42 m. 4. The reservoir sits below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England. stony and bends round to the right. s+-??|&xLj`wLpsQ!q~jJ&'y1}c89:g881i b50^y$8%!dTQ2$6{ Q% +*?q K.wmo$nR ( u(H:ZaRpS #[ ) ANA4SV,xJM2]FGVlP2#nD9mf@"Iv]>"0. 1h 28m Moderate 3.8 (3) Ten Tors Circular Walk Dartmoor National Park Length: 11.9 km Est. To get there, take the B3260 south west from There are intermittent . x.type = 'password';
