Friday 13 April 2018

Dartmoor: The Tors and Rocks on Blackslade Down

Tunhill Rocks

This short walk of a couple of miles was to properly visit the tors and rocks on Blackslade Down. A well walked area, with several car bagging excursions, I wanted to specifically afford my time to these excellent outcrops. Let's begin.

Parked up at the 402m elevation atop Widecombe Hill, Lower Top Tor was first up. For many years thought to be the true location of Eric Hemery's Bovey Rock, but Tim Jenkinson believes he has the correct location, further down the hill, so will have to visit.

Lower Top Tor

Lower Top Tor

Lower Top Tor shallow rock basin

Then, Top Tor. I have been here at least 5 times but no official blog post before this one.

Top Tor

Top Tor

Then to the beautiful Pil Tor. This is probably my favourite on the down, with horizontal jointing and views at the summit avenue to catch the visitor, certainly me. The Ponies, that were present, really upped the scene and I lingered, tor sitting.

Pil Tor

Pil Tor

Top Tor from Pil Tor

Pil Tor

Buckland Beacon and Wittaburrow from Pil Tor

I struck south, ignoring the enticing Tunhill Rocks on my right, to slightly ascend to the two outcrops of Wittaburrow, with clitter, and the summit cairn at 403m.

Wittaburrow

Wittaburrow

Wittaburrow

Wittaburrow Cairn

Wittaburrow ;-)

As I strolled towards Tunhill Rocks a friendly Pony came up to me, quite fast, and I was startled. He, or she, must've wanted food or something! I reached Tunhill Rocks, a large collection of boulders and outcrops - it's a great tor.

I've got no food!

Tunhill Rocks

Tunhill Rocks

Tunhill Rocks

Tunhill Rocks

Tunhill Rocks
Tunhill Rocks

Whilst en route to Hollow Tor, I passed an unnamed outcrop, now given the name of Tunhill Rocks North by Tim Jenkinson.

Tunhill Rocks North

After this, I would make for Hollow Tor (Widecombe), a grassy summit with a surprising rock face to the west and great views of  ''The Cathedral of the Moor''. Full of character.

Hollow Tor

Hollow Tor

Hollow Tor

I took my time negotiating the spring whilst trying to reach the diminutive Shovel Stone, before heading back to the car park.

The Shovel Stone

The Shovel Stone

The Shovel Stone

The Shovel Stone

The Shovel Stone

But this wasn't the end. Near Bonehill Rocks, north of here, Tim Jenkinson has mentioned a sizeable outcrop that he has dubbed 'Bonehill South'. It is significant and a good lesser known tor, by the path.

Bonehill South

Bonehill South

Bonehill South

I can't end this post in a way that would differentiate it from the rest, as I endeavour to do, but it's a nice albeit busy area for tor bagging as there is such an abundance of granite here. Yep, that's it!

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