Cox, Roos and the Staple Tors Circular Walk, Tavistock, Dartmoor National Park
Walking to one of Dartmoor's most impressive and photographed tors
This walk takes you to Great Staple Tor which is one of Dartmoor National Park's most impressive and photographed tors. The walk also provides huge views over the Westcountry. The terrain is relatively easy and the walk is close to Tavistock.
How far is the walk and how long will it take?
The walk is roughly 5 km/3 m in length.
The Ordnance Survey app states that this takes 1.15 hrs. We tend to cover a moorland mile in 30 mins so would plan for 1.30 hrs walking.
What's the walking like?
You're walking open moorland. There's a gentle ascent to Cox Tor at the beginning of the walk but after that it's easy walking.
Is there a path?
Yes and no. There are wide grass tracks and grass paths created by walkers that link the tors.
Note that you can see these tracks and grass paths created by walkers on Google's satellite imagery.
Is it well signposted?
No. You're walking open moorland. As ever, we'd recommend studying the Ordnance Survey app, Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map or Harvey Mountain Map Dartmoor map for detail.
Take Ordnance Survey or Harvey Mountain Map mapping and a compass with you.
Start at the large car parking area on the B3357 at Pork Hill/Barn Hill
Start at the large car parking area on the B3357 at Pork Hill/Barn Hill between Tavistock and Merrivale.
There's usually an ice cream van here during busy visitor times.
We'd recommend enjoying the views from the western end of the car park before your walk. You should see ponies here as well.
Cox Tor
Look north and you'll see a wide grass track rising to rocks on top of Cox Tor. Wander up to these rocks and continue to the trig point at the tor's summit. Weather permitting, enjoy the awesome views.
Roos Tor
Drop down the eastern side of Cox Tor to the pool of water in the dip in the moor and then follow a rough path north east through tussocky grass to Roos Tor.
There's an army flagpole topping the tor.
Great Staple Tor
From Roos Tor, wander south to see the famous granite stacks at Great Staple Tor.
If you stand at the bottom of the main outcrop looking west, you'll enjoy one of the most impressive views in Dartmoor National Park.
Middle Staple Tor
Having taken in the views, walk to Middle Staple Tor and then head south west in the direction of the large car parking area from where you began. You'll pick up grass paths that take you across old tin workings. From the workings, it's a flat walk to your starting point.
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