Steeperton Gorge, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park
By Dartmoor standards, this is a small gorge. Unlike the Dart Gorge, Teign Gorge or Lydford Gorge which have been cut by wide, powerful waterways, Steeperton Gorge is situated pretty far upstream on Dartmoor's north plateau. The River Taw rises on the high, boggy ground around Hangingstone Hill and Okement Hill. From there, is runs past the Ted Hughes memorial before dropping into Steeperton Gorge. Steeperton Tor rises, unsurprisingly, steeply to the east. The moors around Oke Tor rise equally as steeply to the north west. From the gorge, the River Taw meanders across Taw Marsh towards Belstone and the wooded valley Belstone Cleave.
We've positioned Steeperton Gorge on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its lcoation. To visit, we'd recommend following the Belstone Ridge past Belstone Tor, Higher Tor and Oke Tor to the ford below Steeperton Tor at the southern end of the gorge. Alternatively, follow the track/road that runs from Belstone up Taw Marsh. The track/road turns into a well trodden path. The views in this area are superb. Refer to the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map for detail.
Other gorges we'd recommend visiting include the Dart Gorge, Teign Gorge and Lydford Gorge mentioned above. Lustleigh Cleave, Tavy Cleave and West Cleave are similar and cut by fast-flowing rivers that rise on Dartmoor's two high plateaus.
Photo Gallery
