King Tor, Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor National Park

King Tor, Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor National Park

Dartmoor's high moorland rises from rolling countryside. The edge of the moor is lined with tors. For example, among others, Belstone Tors, Sourton Tors, White Tor, Pew Tor, Trowlesworthy Tors, Haytor Rocks and Hound Tor all overlook gentler landscapes. King Tor is another.

Located to the east of the moor, King Tor rises very steeply on three sides to its rocky outcrop and ancient barrow. The tor sits on high moorland that pushes south west and south to Hameldown Tor and the vast bulk of Hamel Down. Given its location, as you would expect, the views are great over the north and east sections of the National Park. It's also off the beaten track so you usually get the top of the tor to yourself although it's on the edge of a very popular area of Dartmoor so you're never too far away from other people.

We've positioned King Tor on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.

To visit for the first time, we'd suggest you head for English Heritage's Grimspound. From there, yomp up to Hookney Tor. Very obvious tracks run east across Hookney Down to King Tor. The last part of the walk passes through heather and gorse and can get scratchy.

There are plenty of other routes you can follow to King Tor.

From the north west. You can walk in from the car park and viewpoint on the B3212 at the bottom of Shapley Common. Either yomp up to Shapley Tor and then Hookney Tor before trending east or yomp to Shapley Tor and then cross the stream at Combe Down and climb the steep flank of King Tor to the top.

From the east. Paths climb from Heathercombe and Natsworthy up the side of Hookney Down and Hamel Down. There's limited parking at Natsworthy. We've also walked in from Manaton and Hound Tor car parks as marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map.

From the south. Head for Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Follow the Two Moors Way over Hamel Down to Hameldown Tor. Cut across to King Tor.

From the west. Start from one of the car parking areas on the B3212 near The Warren House Inn. Walk the Two Moors Way to Hookney Down and wander across. Alternatively, walk over Headland Warren to Headland Warren Farm and then Hookney Tor. It's then a short walk across Hookney Down to King Tor.