Great Links Tor, Lydford, Dartmoor National Park

Great Links Tor, Lydford, Dartmoor National Park

This is one of the most dramatic and impressive tors on Dartmoor. It dominates the western flank of the National Park and is visible from miles around. Essential Dartmoor visiting, the views from Great Links Tor are exceptional.

We've positioned Great Links Tor on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.

 

Recommended route to Great Links Tor for the first time

To visit for the first time, we'd recommend walking up from the large car parking area behind The Dartmoor Inn at Lydford. Head for Lydford on the A386. The Dartmoor Inn is on the side of the road opposite the turning for Lydford. There's a narrow lane just north of The Dartmoor Inn that's open to public vehicles. Drive up the lane, open and shut the gate and you'll see a large, grass and gravel car parking area in front of you. From there, follow the farm wall east to a set of stepping stones and footbridge across the River Lyd. Brat Tor (Bray Tor) and the distinctive Widgery Cross rise in front of you. Arms Tor is to the north east. A grass path climbs between these. To begin, it's very steep but then it flattens out as it crosses an old mining landscape. Great Links Tor appears to your left. Grass paths lead to the giant outcrops. Both the large, grass and gravel car parking area and path are marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map. They are also visible on Google's satellite imagery.

Given that this is open access moorland, there are plenty of other ways to get to Great Links Tor. Below are suggestions.

 

Routes and directions to Great Links Tor from the north

From the north. Start at the car park by Meldon Reservoir. Cross the road, follow the grass path up the side of South Down and you connect with the West Devon Way/Two Castles Trail. Follow these to Prewley Moor. A track/path runs between Sourton Tors and Corn Ridge and connects with the Rattlebrook Peatworks Railway (Disused) on Coombe Down. Follow the disused railway up towards Great Links Tor. Grass tracks lead across moorland to the tor.

Alternatively, start from the car parking areas at Prewley Moor. To get there, follow the A386 to Prewley Moor. A moorland road crosses the Granite Way and a cattle grid before gently climbing Prewley Moor. There's room for a few vehicles before the cattle grid or along the side of the moorland road. From there, walk the track/path between Sourton Tors and Corn Ridge as described above.

Another route from the north starts at the village Sourton. There's limited parking in front of the church across the road from the quirky The Highwayman Inn. A bridge crosses the Granite Way and grass paths rise to Sourton Tors. From these outcrops, use the track/path that leads to Rattlebrook Peatworks Railway (Disused) as above.

 

Routes and directions to Great Links Tor from the west

From the west. In addition to walking from the car parking area behind The Dartmoor Inn at Lydford, you can wander across from the village Lydford. There's parking across the road from Lydford Castle and The Castle Inn.

 

Routes and directions to Great Links Tor from the south

From the south. Start at the car parking area at Lanehead which is up the road from Horndon and Mary Tavy. Walk up to Ger Tor and then cross to Hare Tor. Grass paths run between Sharp Tor and Chat Tor to the Dick's Well area. Wander up to Great Links Tor.

 

Routes and directions to Great Links Tor from the east

From the east. East of Great Links Tor, the high moor is boggy and remote. You can yomp across Amicombe Hill via Broad Amicombe Hole. You can also cross the West Okement River at Sandy Ford and climb the valley wall to Kitty Tor before walking across to Great Links Tor. To access Great Links Tor from this direction, head for Okehampton and then Okehampton Camp and follow the army ring road to Dinger Tor. Drop down to Kneeset Nose for Broad Amicombe Hole or Sandy Ford for Kitty Tor.

Alternatively, you can wander across from the Great Kneeset area if you're crossing the north moor. We've done this via the North-South (Track) Ancient Travel Route and from Cranmere Pool.

We wouldn't recommend coming from this direction after heavy rain as the moor is very boggy. Avoid Dinger Pool where Amicombe Brook flows by Little Kneeset. Water belly moorland.

 

Views

The views. Great Links Tor provides some of the best views in Dartmoor National Park. The views south across a line of tors from Sharp Tor to Great Mis Tor is sensational. Remote Fur Tor is to the south east. The highest ground in Dartmoor National Park at High Willhays and Yes Tor is to the north east. Finally, to the west, the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Cornwall stretch to the horizon. As mentioned, essential visiting.

 

Sunsets

Last, sunsets. If you enjoy a sunset then watching the sun disappear to the west over the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Cornwall is a joy.