Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End), Belstone, Dartmoor National Park

Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End), Belstone, Dartmoor National Park

One of an amazing series of tors by Belstone on Dartmoor's north moor

Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) is one of an amazing series of tors by the pretty moorland village Belstone on the fringe of Dartmoor's north moor. These tors sit on a broad ridge of moorland and run from Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) to Higher Tor and Oke Tor. Steeperton Tor and Dartmoor's north plateau are beyond.

Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) is very easily accessible. There's a great pub in Belstone called The Tors Inn so this area is ideal for a pub walk.

 

Naming Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End)

The Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map names Belstone Tor.

The Harvey British Mountain Map 'Dartmoor' map names Tors End and Belstone where a series of rocky outcrops run along a broad ridge of moorland at the edge of Dartmoor's north moor.

This series of rocky outcrops is Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End).

Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) run from the outcrop south of Irishman's Wall to the outcrops on the edge of the moor where it drops down to Watchet Hill. The Dartmoor expert Eric Hemery outlines the extent of Belstone Tors in his work 'High Dartmoor':

'Above Winter Tor and Higher Tor - which characteristically rather than topographically are a part of the Belstone range - rise the Belstone Tors proper consisting of several piles connected by decaying rockfields. The highest elevation, 1,567 feet, is attained by the southernmost tor, among the clitter at the south foot of which is an unfinished millstone. North of the pile, among and utilizing the rock-field, the ruined 'Irishman's Wall' crosses the ridge between Taw and E.Ockment ... About 150 yards beyond Irishman's Wall stands Belstone Tor (north), from which the southward view show something of Dartmoor's sombre, spell-binding aloofness. From the summit rocks, where the socket of the war-time flag-pole is still in place, the land falls sharply northward to a fine satellite pile; smaller, but fiercely characteristic, its bold cone dominates the declining northward crest and is aptly known as Tors End (approx 1,500 feet).'

Higher Tor is the vast chunk of granite below the southern outcrop of Belstone Tors on the southern side of Irishman's Wall. The views from Belstone Tors and Higher Tor are sensational.

Note that the Dartmoor expert William Crossing provides different information on Belstone Tors:

'From Watchet Hill we shall proceed to Belstone Tor, nearly 3/4 m. distant, in a direction almost due S., passing on the way two similar piles, the three usually being spoken of as the Belstone Tors.' (Crossing, 'Crossing's Guide to Dartmoor'.) Crossing then goes on to write, 'Belstone Tor (1,567 feet) stands a little to the N. of the Irishman's Wall (Ex. 16), which is here carried from the Taw over the ridge nearly to the East Ockment.'

 

Location of Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End)

Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) is located at the northern end of a broad ridge of moorland on Dartmoor's north moor. The River Taw flows through Taw Plain to the east. The East Okement River flows to West Cleave and Okehampton to the west. Higher Tor, Oke Tor and Steeperton Tor are to the south.

We've positioned Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.

 

Directions to, and parking at, Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End)

Drive the A30 to Okehampton. Take the exit on the eastern side of town and follow the signs to Belstone.

Leave your vehicle at the car parking area at the entrance to Belstone.

 

Recommended route to Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) for the first time

To visit, start from the car parking area at the entrance to Belstone. Wander towards the church and pub.

You'll see the road split. Take the south west road as it climbs to the moorland gate at Watchet Hill.

Walk to the army flagpole and then follow the track up to the rocky outcrop in front of you called Tors End. There is no single path taking you through this series of rocky outcrops.

 

Other routes to Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End)

Alternatively, start from the car parking area at the entrance to Belstone. Wander towards the church and pub.

You'll see the road split. Take the south road that passes The Tors Inn pub garden and runs along the top of the village green. Follow this road as it dips and curls past some pretty houses. You come to a gate that provides access to the high moor. Walk along the track and you'll see Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) to your right. Wander up.

Again, there is no single path taking you through this series of rocky outcrops.

 

The views from Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End)

The broad ridge of moorland on which Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) sits provides some of the best views in Dartmoor National Park.

We'd recommend walking to Higher Tor south of Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End). The views to Oke Tor, Steeperton Tor and Taw Plain are exceptional. If you can go when the sun is low then the landscape takes on more shape. We'd also suggest visiting after a dusting of snow.

 

The area around Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End)

The area around Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) is superb for walking. You can enjoy short, circular walks via Taw Plain back over the broad moorland ridge on which Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) sits or yomp to the north plateau around Hangingstone Hill.

There's an impressive stone circle called The Nine Maidens on Watchet Hill as well.

 

Places to eat and drink near Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End)

Try The Tors Inn in Belstone. The pub garden is by the village green and provides super views.

There's a cafe in the village as well if you fancy a cream tea.