River Cowsic, Princetown, Dartmoor National Park

River Cowsic, Princetown, Dartmoor National Park

Fur Tor is said to be the most remote spot in southern England. Scattered across the edge of a high moorland plateau in the northern section of Dartmoor National Park, the rocky outcrops that form Fur Tor are close to the source of many famous Westcountry rivers. The West Dart River rises south east of the tor before joining the East Dart River at Dartmeet and flowing down to the South Devon coast at Dartmouth. The River Tavy rises close to the tor and then tumbles through gorges as it makes its way down to the sea by Plymouth. A lesser known river, the River Cowsic, also rises on this high moorland plateau south of Fur Tor. It's a remote, boggy area of rough cut moorland that can only be sensibly explored after a period of dry weather.

From this remote, boggy area, the River Cowsic runs south through a valley on its way to Broad Hole. The evocatively named Devil's Tor is above to the east. Conies Down Tor rises to the west. There are a number of prehistoric attractions to see on either side of the River Cowsic at this point including the extraordinary Beardown Man Standing Stone and Conies Down Stone Row.

At Broad Hole, the old Lichway/Lych Way cuts across the River Cowsic. There's a ford at this point but, in our experience, it's impassable after heavy rain. Thankfully, further south below Beardown Tors is a footbridge that spans the river as it flows past Holming Beam and the car parking area there to Beardown Hill and then Two Bridges. At Two Bridges, the River Cowsic joins the West Dart River as that swings east towards Dartmeet.

You can explore the area around the River Cowsic from the car parking areas at Holming Beam or across the road from Two Bridges Hotel. From Holming Beam, you can wander up to Conies Down Tor for superb views of the river and local area. It's a superb place from which to sea Beardown Man Standing Stone breaking the skyline. You can also drop down to the footbridge mentioned above and then head up past Lydford Tor to Devil's Tor and Beardown Man Standing Stone near the Cowsic Head. From the car parking area at Two Bridges Hotel, you can walk up either side of the West Dart River on your way to see the River Cowsic. The eastern side of the West Dart River takes you through Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve. You then have to cross the West Dart River at its ford to reach the River Cowsic area. After heavy rain, it's impassable. As such, it's probably best to follow the path that runs pretty much up the eastern side of the West Dart River to Beardown Tors. From there, you'll see the River Cowsic below.