Higher Tor, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park
A broad ridge of moorland runs from the west side of Belstone from Watchet Hill all the way up to Oke Tor and Steeperton Gorge. The top of the ridge is lined with tors. Some, like Belstone Tors and Oke Tor, are a series of outcrops. Others are isolated collections of granite. On the ground this makes it quite difficult to match the outcrops to the names on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map and the Harvey British Mountain Map 'Dartmoor' map. Higher Tor is confusing in that you expect it to be the highest tor on the broad ridge but in fact it sits below the southern end of Belstone Tors well south of Irishman's Wall. It's an impressive outcrop. The Dartmoor expert Eric Hemery remarks that the massive east face resembles 'cyclopean masonry'.
We've positioned Higher Tor on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.
To visit, start from the car parking area at the entrance to Belstone. Head for Belstone Tors. Wander past Irishman's Wall, the southern outcrop of Belstone Tors and then you'll see Higher Tor below and slightly to your right.
You can also walk in via Okehampton Camp and Cullever Steps or via Belstone and the Taw Valley. Refer to the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map for detail.
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