Shelstone Tor, Sourton, Dartmoor National Park
Some of Dartmoor's most beautiful tors are either far from towns and villages or tucked away in less well known areas of moorland. Shelstone Tor is an example of the latter.
Located near the north western border of Dartmoor National Park where the Upper West Okement Valley meets Meldon Reservoir, Shelstone Tor is a scatter of rocky outcrops overlooking Black-a-Tor Copse National Nature Reserve and the West Okement River. It's a stunning place that's good for a picnic or even an Easter egg hunt.
We've positioned Shelstone Tor on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.
To visit for the first time, we'd recommend walking in from the car parking area on Prewley Moor. Head for the junction of the A30/A386 south west of Okehampton near the village Sourton. Just south of the junction is a turning onto Prewley Moor. Cross the cattle grid and park alongside the moorland road. Follow one of the grass paths to the broad ridge on which Sourton Tors sit and then walk around the top of the squat valley to Shelstone Tor. There are lots of outcrops and the approach views of the tor with Black-a-Tor Copse National Nature Reserve and High Willhays/Yes Tor behind are magnificent.
If you have time and energy, we'd suggest you follow the west bank of the West Okement River up the valley. Black-a-Tor Copse National Nature Reserve is to your left. Lints Tor is stunning ahead. Before you get to the network of streams around Sandy Ford, yomp up to Steng-a-Tor. Keep close to the top of the steep slope as you walk north west to Branscombe's Loaf on Corn Ridge. It gets very boggy up on Corn Ridge so be careful. From Branscombe's Loaf, drop down to Sourton Tors and return to where you started on Prewley Moor.
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