Walk

Meldon Reservoir and Sourton Tor circuit

This walk has been kindly written and walked for Oke Links by Lisa Harris

This walk combines a circuit of Meldon Reservoir with a loop around Sourton Tor. There are great views in all directions. It follows part of the Archangel’s Way, a pilgrimage route around the north of the moor from Brentor to Chagford.

From Okehampton’s A30/A386 junction head south for 1/4 mile and turn left at a small brown sign for the Granite Way. This narrow road quickly crosses a cattle grid, then the Granite Way cycle track which follows the old railway line, and then another cattle grid. After driving another 200m up towards the Prewley Waterworks, there is a pull in for parking on either side of the track. From the carpark, start walking uphill along a wide green track between the bracken towards the rocks of Sourton Tor. Cross two small streams then keep ahead where a track forks off to the left. Keep going straight towards the Tor until the track forks again, where you take the left fork to now head north east, aiming at a small clump of trees. Go through a gap in a low stone wall and follow it towards a solitary granite post and a more solid stone wall behind which forms the corner of a field.

Keep this field boundary to your right and head for a gate which is signposted Dartmoor Way. Walk straight ahead through fields until the path forks where you take the right one, leaving the Dartmoor Way and continuing towards the Meldon Reservoir carpark. Turn right along the lane and cross the dam, then turn right again and follow the path around the base of the hill keeping the water to your right.

Where the narrow path opens out at the far end of the reservoir into the meadow of Vellake Corner, keep to the left of the boggy ground following the base of the hill. Don’t head across the meadow as it can get very wet, and the obvious path continuing through a gate and around the reservoir is not open to the public. As your path becomes level with the weir after about 200m, turn sharp right and cross it to the far side of the West Okemont river. Take the steep path straight up, and after about 80m the well-defined track levels out, heading in a south westerly direction towards Corn Ridge and Sourton Tor. Make sure you keep the steep valley to your right, cross a stream and aim for a large gully ahead where another steam emerges from the rocks above. Cross this stream

We are an independent practice. We strive to give excellent care for your animals and yourselves. Our practice covers all species, which gives the strength of multi-discipline knowledge and invidual expertise within the team.

EMERGENCY SERVICE BY THE VETS YOU KNOW • 3 Vets • 24hrs • 365 Days of the Year - covering companion animal, farm and equine species

Okehampton 01837 658777 • North Tawton 01837 82327 • Hatherleigh 01837 810455 Equus Vets (equine vets) 01837 214004

Meldon Reservoir West Okement River

Ice works Sourton Tor Lake Viaduct

car park

P

A386

and follow a narrow track now heading north. Keep the stone field boundary to your right and aim for the old granite fence post that you passed earlier.

As you approach the granite post, turn left and head uphill on a wide grassy track towards two standing stones, and keep climbing towards yet another single stone marker that’s visible ahead. The remains of the 19th Century Ice Works can be seen to your right, (best viewed on Google Earth!) and you’ll pass an area of quaintly-named “Thufurs”. These small grassy bumps look like moguls on a ski slope, and they represent the southerly reach of the ice age glaciers. The track levels out and you’ll see a watering hole and boundary ditch ahead. Bear right keeping the boundary ditch to your left, and continue to skirt the tor. Extensive views now open up ahead towards Brentor and

Plymouth Sound in the distance. Where the ditch drops away into a steep valley to your left that descends to Lake Viaduct, keep straight ahead now walking in a westerly direction. You’ll see Bridestowe Village and its church tower across the valley. The path gradually drops towards a stone wall, while bending to the right around the far side of the tor so you are now walking north. Keep the steep rocks of Sourton Tor close on your right, and keep right where the track forks. Follow this track straight ahead for half a mile, ignoring a number of branching tracks, and crossing a few streams. You will reach a gap in the same stone wall that you Now only £895* for a fully fi tted electric garage door. WAS £1,354 INCLUDING VAT. Now only £895* for a fully fi tted electric garage door. WAS £1,354 INCLUDING VAT. Now only £895* for a fully fi tted electric garage door. came through towards the start of the WAS £1,354 INCLUDING VAT. walk, with the carpark soon visible down below. Now only £895* Lisa Harris

Distance: Approximately 5 miles

Difficulty: Moderate, with a few steep climbs up and down

Time: 2.5 hours

Start point: Prewley Moor, just off the A386

OS grid reference: 254910

What Three Words: https://w3w. co/barstool.kebabs.building

Now only

£895* £895* for a fully fi tted electric garage door.

for a fully WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH EVERY DOOR: • FREE EXPERT MEASURING & FITTING • 2 REMOTE CONTROLS • ACOUSTIC & THERMAL INSULATION • FREE DISPOSAL OF YOUR OLD DOOR • AVAILABLE IN 21 COLOURS fi tted electric garage door. WAS £1,354 INCLUDING VAT. WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH EVERY DOOR: • FREE EXPERT MEASURING & FITTING • 2 REMOTE CONTROLS • ACOUSTIC & THERMAL INSULATION • FREE DISPOSAL OF YOUR OLD DOOR • AVAILABLE IN 21 COLOURS WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH EVERY DOOR: • FREE EXPERT MEASURING & FITTING • 2 REMOTE CONTROLS • ACOUSTIC & THERMAL INSULATION • FREE DISPOSAL OF YOUR OLD DOOR • AVAILABLE IN 21 COLOURS

Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside Give us a call today and we’ll come and measure up completely FREE of charge. Give us a call today and we’ll come and measure up completely FREE of charge. your garage, maximising valuable space. Give us a call today and we’ll come and measure up completely FREE of charge.

CALL US TODAY ON: 01822 800 065 MOBILE: CALL US TODAY ON: 01822 800 065 MOBILE: CALL US TODAY ON: 01837 380 035 07537 149 128 07537 149 128 MOBILE: 07537 149 128