A fairly easy walk and relatively level for much of the route. The walk starts by the River Walkham and heads along a wide track towards Daveytown, providing great views of Vixen Tor and Pew Tor. You soon head on to moorland to join the disused railway line around Swell Tor Quarry and Kings Tor. This is gentle walking with great views. You should take care in misty conditions. On the return route you pass by the ancient bronze age stone rows at Merrivale. A stream crossing can be challenging after rain.
Walk Details
Start point grid ref: SX550751
Grade: Medium
Distance: 6 miles
Map: OS Explorer OL28
Refreshments: Local pubs
Duration 3-4 hours
START FROM: Parking area just beyond the Dartmoor Inn, Merrivale, on the B3357 from Tavistock. To reach the parking area leave Tavistock on the B3357 towards Princetown. After 4 miles look for the Dartmoor Inn on the left. If there is no room in this parking area, there is another parking space 200 yards beyond the bridge on the right.
Route
From the parking area cross over the old bridge and climb up the embankment to the main road. Cross the road and take the track alongside Hillside Cottage signed Public Bridleway (A). Pass through a metal gate and follow the wide track.
As you proceed AHEAD, Vixen Tor can be seen on the right. Pass through two gates at Longash Farm and then pass another gate along a grassy track. The route is easy to follow and passes over a small stream (the Longash Brook) and soon enters a wooded area. This is by Hucken Tor and has a touch of mystery about it. Habitat of pixies and the like!
You pass several more gates to reach Daveytown (this is a farm not a hamlet). Beyond here the track becomes a tarmac lane and soon passes Withill Farm on the left. On reaching the crossroads at Criptor Cross (B), turn LEFT uphill signed to Criptor. After 400 yards cross over a cattle grid on to the open moor.
At this point take the track off to the RIGHT (C) signed to Routrundle which goes towards Ingra Tor. Where the track bears right continue AHEAD on a minor grassy path towards Ingra Tor. After 200 yards you reach the rail track of the dismantled Princetown branch line. Turn LEFT along this track (D) passing Ingra Tor on the right.
After ¼ mile you pass under a substantial stone bridge which surprisingly was only built for stock movement. Continue AHEAD along the rail track passing over a bridge and through a cutting. The rail track sweeps to the left passing the ruin of Yes Tor Farm on the left and shortly passing by Swell Tor Quarry on the right. Continue AHEAD, crossing a bridge alongside King’s Tor on the right. The track bends to the right through another cutting and after 200 yards you will see Yellowmead Farm come into view on the lower slopes of North Hessary Tor (the hill with the communications mast).
At this point, look for a track on the left, just after a solitary hawthorn tree, heading down towards a wall below (E). On reaching the corner of the wall, follow it around to the left until you see a stream ahead (the Longash Brook again). Find a suitable spot to cross and then look for a tall upright stone (Menhir) to the left. Follow the wide grassy path to the Menhir (F) and then turn sharp RIGHT, passing a small stone circle on the left, for 250 yards towards another standing stone and a clump of trees beyond (this stone has markings T and A either side of it, standing for Tavistock and Ashburton, being an ancient route marker). From this stone turn LEFT and head for the quarry face of the Merrivale Quarry below Great Staple Tor. As you head downhill towards the main road (B3357), you will pass the double Merrivale Stone Row. Continue in the same direction until you reach the road and turn LEFT. Follow the road downhill to reach the Walkham Bridge where you started.