Walkhighlands

This was the first part of a 3-day trip down south to finish off the Hewitts in the West Country and South Wales.

Parts of Dartmoor,including High Willhays, are used as a military training area, and on certain days are closed to the public. You can check the times on the MOD website.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dartmoor-firing-programme

At least it's not as much bother as the Warcop Training Area up north- no need to apply for permit or anything.
So after checking that I wasn't likely to get blown up, I made the long drive down the motorway to Devon.
There are quicker ways than this to climb High Willhays, and I'm not sure when I'm likely to visit Dartmoor again, I decided to include a few neighboring hills, starting from Belstone.
There's a large free car park just outside the village



I walked through the village and down a minor road which becomes a path, before turning left up a faint path leading up the first hill, Belstone Tor.









I descended down the remains of the 'Irishman's Wall' and then followed a path around the edge of East Okement Farm.







After an awkward river crossing I was soon ascending toward the next summit, East Mill Tor.



From here there are good paths leading up to High Willhays, although I made a detour over rougher ground to avoid some cows.





The neighboring top of Yes Tor is slightly lower but has a rockier summit.





Having climbed all the 2000 foot hills in southern England, I headed back down, visiting West Mill Tor and Rowtor on the way.





I think those rocks were on West Mill Tor, but I'm not sure, having got a few weeks behind with the walk reports. Whichever tor it was, it's a nice little scramble up to the top.