Easdon Tor, North Bovey, Dartmoor National Park
Easdon Tor is a superb rocky outcrop on an island of moorland towards the east of Dartmoor National Park. Surrounded by farmland and fields, cut off from the mass of Dartmoor's high moor, it's relatively isolated and offers magnificent views of North and East Dartmoor. The popular villages North Bovey and Manaton are nearby. Each has a pub. The luxury hotel Bovey Castle is within easy walking distance.
From its summit and trig point there are views of Haytor Rocks and Hound Tor to the south east and Hamel Down to the south west. The glorious Lustleigh Cleave is to the east and, far away, the National Trust's Castle Drogo and Teign Gorge are to the north. The mass of Cosdon Hill and Dartmoor's highest ground are to the north west.
In our experience, Easdon Tor is a place to visit for a bit of peace and quiet even in high summer.
We've positioned Easdon Tor on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.
Recommended route to Easdon Tor for the first time
Parking can be tricky so probably the best way to get to Easdon Tor is from Manaton. There's a car park by Manaton Church. A path runs from behind the church tower across fields to the Manaton/Langstone Cross road. Follow the road to Langstone Cross and then turn left, or west, to Barracott. Turn right at Barracott and you come to a path that leads to the southern edge of Easdon Down. Go through the gate and follow the path that rises across the moorland to Easdon Tor. There's a trig point at the summit.
From the summit, you can follow the track that descends north and north east to the edge of Easdon Down. You can then follow the perimeter until you hit an obvious path that's marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map. This takes you back to the gate at the southern edge of the moor. Alternatively, from the north edge you can take a path down to Luckdon. Follow the road to Langstone and pick up the path that runs across farmland and fields to Manaton and the car park. Again, these paths are marked on the OS map.
There are other routes you can take to the top.
Routes and directions to Easdon Tor from the north east
From the north east. There's a car park at the village North Bovey. Follow the road to Luckdon and then climb through the woods to the edge of Easdon Down.
Routes and directions to Easdon Tor from the east
From the east. There's very limited parking by Luckdon. Take the aforementioned path up through the wood to Easdon Down.
Routes and directions to Easdon Tor from the south
From the south. Walk from the car park at Hound Tor. Wander over Hayne Down to a gate by Hayne Brook. A very skinny road takes you to the Manaton/Langstone Cross road. Follow it to Barracott and then wander up to Easdon Tor.
Routes and directions to Easdon Tor from the west
From the west. If you're up for a longer walk, there are plenty of paths dropping off the main moor towards Easdon Tor. You want to get to the public path by Easdon Farm. Our favourite route from this direction is from The Warren House Inn to Headland Warren and Grimspound then up over Hookney Down to Heathercombe. Wander across to Heatree and turn left, or north-ish, at Heatree Cross to Easdon Farm to pick up the public path.
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