Pew Tor & Heckwood Tor - Dartmoor

Walk Introduction - (sketch map)

This walk involves visiting only two Tors (Pew Tor & Heckwood Tor) but with easy stop-off distance to appreciate two other Tors (Feather Tor & Vixon Tor). The walk itself is not demanding on any walker, and is itself an extention of; Walk 5: Feather Tor, which perhaps doesn't go far enough for the seasoned walker.Situated just outside Tavistock on the B3357 these Tors are shallow in nature yet still hold the same timeless appeal of being out on the highlands of Dartmoor. With some commanding views achieved from Pew Tor on a clear day. The Tor stacks offer space and adventure for the children to explore and without the wind-exposure of the higher peaks. Certainly worthy a of quick spring warm-up walk. The car park is large and is often frequented by Dartmoor ponies seeking treats from human guests. Although pleasant, I guess the best advice is don't entertain their fun, they are wild afterall.

Walk References

From the car park on the B3357 (OS ref 532 751) stay on the south-side of the road and observe Barn Hill as the large featureless hill in front of you. (n stead of climbing over Barn Hill, keep your heartbeat down and contour-walk yourself around the west-face of Barn Hill. You will walk further but the idea of this walk is to achieve as much as possible with the least amount of energy spent. As you contour around Barn Hill apart from the far-reaching westerly views you also get to see the quite magnificent Pew Tor (OS ref 533 735 - 320m) to the south, as it comes into view. You do come into very easy reach of Feather Tor (OS ref 535 742 - 313m) but I believe for this walk it is better to concentrate on main target and find your most leisurely walk to Pew Tor. From Pew Tor, Heckwood Tor (OS ref 537 738 - 321m) is the shallow peak 500m to the northeast, and Vixon Tor (OS ref 542 742 - 317m) another 600m further on, again northeast. Please remember that Vixon Tor has no public-access rights. From any point that you feel that you need to wander back, find the Grimstone & Sortridge Leat on the east-face of Barn Hill and follow northwest back to the B3357, and follow west to the car park.

Diary Details

Weather: An overcast chilled spring-day, slight South-easterly. Temp. 9 deg. Route:Pew Tor - Simple and undemanding, capturing some of Dartmoors fringe Tors. Noticeable event: Spied a spring foul from a Dartmoor Pony. Date:31 March 2005. Group: 2 adults and 4 children under 10. Distance: 4 km Walk time: 2hr+

view west of Barn Hill Dartmoor ponies	view of: Pew Tor	Pew Tor	Barn Hill
view of: Pew Tor	view west of Barn Hill	Feather Tor	view frrom Pew Tor
Close-up at Pew Tor	view of: Cox Tor over Barn Hill from Pew Tor	view of Pew Tor	Pew Tor view
Pew Tor	view east to: North Hessary Tor (mast)	Cox Tor over Barn Hill from Pew Tor	Pew Tor view toward Heckwood Tor
Pew Tor view	Heckwood Tor	Heckwood Tor	Heckwood Tor toward CoxTor (L) & Gt Staple Tor (R)
Vixon Tor	Heckwood Tor	Grimstone & Sortridge Leat view south	Great Staple Tor