Ger Tor, Lydford, Dartmoor National Park
Stunning Dartmoor tor overlooking Tavy Cleave
Rivers rise on Dartmoor's two plateaux and cut remarkable valleys, gorges and cleaves (Dartmoor word for valley) on the fringes of the moor. Most of these are heavily wooded like the Dart Gorge, Teign Gorge and Lustleigh Cleave. A few are stripped of trees but are equally impressive. Tavy Cleave is arguably the finest example of the latter. It's situated on west side of Dartmoor National Park.
Ger Tor is located high above the tail, or western end, of the valley and provides sensational views of Tavy Cleave and Dartmoor's north moor all the way up to the remote Fur Tor. It's a great place that can be visited on its own, as part of a circular walk or before/after a wild swim. This is one of Dartmoor's best tors and is essential visiting if you want to get to know the National Park.
We've positioned Ger Tor on Google maps. Zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.
Recommended route to Ger Tor for the first time
To visit Ger Tor for the first time, we'd recommend starting from the car parking area at Lanehead/Lane End on the edge of the British Army's Merrivale Firing Range as marked on Ordnance Survey Explorer mapping (print and digital). This car parking area is clearly visible on Google's satellite mapping. Google firing times before you go.
To get to Lanehead/Lane End car parking area, drive the A386 to Mary Tavy. Take the east turning and follow the road past the Elephant's Nest Inn to Horndon, Willsworthy, Lane End and then Lanehead.
You'll see Ger Tor rising in front of you to the north east. Follow one of the wide, grass tracks that climb Nattor Down to Ger Tor. You'll cross a leat (artificial waterway) on your way. It's a very easy, short walk (roughly 1.25km/30mins walk). Ger Tor is a mass of outcrops overlooking Tavy Cleave. There's a small army hut on the east side that's great for a photo up the cleave to Fur Tor.
Recommended circular walks in Tavy Cleave via Ger Tor
There are some super circular walks in the Ger Tor area. Here are two of the best.
Walk to Ger Tor as described above. Continue to Tavy Cleave Tors. A steep path descends from the south end of Tavy Cleave Tors into Tavy Cleave by the River Tavy. Follow the paths downriver, pass under Ger Tor and you'll come to the head or a leat or man-made waterway. Cross this on a little footbridge and then walk the south bank of the leat back to Nattor Down and the car parking area at Lanehead/Lane End.
If you are an experienced walker, you can also walk up through Tavy Cleave and loop around the top to Tavy Cleave Tors and Ger Tor before returning to the car park. This is outlined in our Tavy Cleave to Ger Tor Circular Walk listing.
Other routes and directions to Ger Tor
As is the case with most tors on Dartmoor, you can walk in from all directions to Ger Tor. Here are other routes. Most are easy. Walking in from the east is difficult and only for experienced hikers.
Note that Ger Tor if you're visiting Ger Tor from the south or east, it's likely to be as part of a much longer walk as the tor is in a remote location. The below reflects our experience of walking to Ger Tor.
Routes and directions to Ger Tor from the north
Start from the large car parking area on the moor behind the Dartmoor Inn. Cross the River Lyd and then yomp up to the saddle of moorland between Great Links Tor and Chat Tor (marked Dick's Well on Ordnance Survey Explorer mapping). Now walk south along the broad ridge to Sharp Tor and Hare Tor and then Ger Tor.
Return via Doe Tor and the south side of Brat Tor.
Routes and directions to Ger Tor from the south
If you're coming from the south, it's likely you'll be following a section of the old Lichway/Lych Way. Head for Standon Steps and Higher Willsworthy where you'll connect with the road that takes you to the car parking area at Lanehead/Lane End. Wander up to Ger Tor.
Routes and directions to Ger Tor from the east
If you're coming from the east, it's likely you'll be walking from the Fur Tor area. From Fur Tor, descend through the clitter field to the ford at Amicombe Brook. Avoid Dinger Pool as it's very boggy. Continue to the mouth, or top, of Tavy Cleave. Ascend to the north lip of the cleave and walk to Tavy Cleave Tors and then Ger Tor.
Routes and directions to Ger Tor from the west
In addition to the Lanehead/Lane End route outlined above, you can walk in from Lydford. We'd recommend following the Lichway/Lych Way to Higher Willsworthy where you'll connect with the road that takes you to the car parking area at Lanehead/Lane End. Wander up to Ger Tor. We tend to walk from this direction as part of a larger circular walk from Lydford. To return, walk to Doe Tor and the south side of Brat Tor. Cross the River Lyd and continue to the Dartmoor Inn. Cross the busy A386 and you're back in Lydford.
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