Amicombe Hill, Lydford, Dartmoor National Park
Dartmoor specialises in vast, shallow domed hills that stretch for miles across high moorland. Amicombe Hill is one of the biggest and potentially boggiest. It's not a destination in its own right. You tend to cross, or skirt, it to visit places such as Fur Tor, Great Kneeset and Black Ridge Peat Pass. Whilst it's fine to walk the hill after a spell of dry weather, we've always found it very unpleasant after lots of rain. The area to the south east around Dinger Pool is particularly challenging.
We've positioned Amicombe Hill on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.
So, where to cross, or skirt, Amicombe Hill? One route east starts at the large car parking area behind The Dartmoor Inn. Cross the River Lyd on the stepping stones below Brat Tor (Bray Tor) and Widgery Cross and then follow the grass path up past Great Links Tor to Higher and Lower Dunna Goat Tors. Hop over Rattle Brook to Bleak House and Green Tor and walk east to Broad Amicombe Hill and the north plateau.
Alternatively, use the army tracks that climb to Kitty Tor and cross from there.
Another route starts from Lane End car park. Head up to Ger Tor. Trend north east to the track that drops down to Rattle Brook. Cross the water and pick your way across Amicombe Hill.
From Lane End, you can also walk along the north bank of the River Tavy through the stunning Tavy Cleave. Cross Rattle Brook at the top of the cleave and continue on the north bank of the River Tavy to Sandy Ford on Amicombe Brook at the southern end of Amicombe Hill. Yomp up to Fur Tor.
In Winter and early Spring, it's likely you'll see lots of Ten Tors teams walking the moor here.
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