West Mill Tor, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park

West Mill Tor, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park

West Mill Tor is an impressive rocky outcrop on the fringe of Dartmoor's north plateau close to the north border of the National Park. In the shadow of Dartmoor's highest ground at Yes Tor and High Willhays, West Mill Tor is just south of the British Army's Okehampton Camp. We've positioned West Mill Tor on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location and outcrops.

 

Recommended route to West Mill Tor

To visit, we'd recommend walking in from the Okehampton Camp area. If you're coming by car, drive to Okehampton and then follow the road that climbs steeply to Okehampton Camp. Army roads then run from Okehampton Camp up onto the high moor.

Whilst you can only drive part way up some of these roads, there's a small parking area just east of West Mill Tor. Don't try to park here during the holiday season as the limited spaces always seem to be taken. Instead, by Okehampton Camp, cross the ford and follow the road as it rises towards Rowtor. There's more parking available in this area. Refer to the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map for detail. Also zoom in on Google's satellite imagery to see these parking areas. Again, it gets busy up there in the holiday season so be patient. The roads are skinny so don't park in passing places. Note that this is army training ground. Google 'Dartmoor firing times' for access information. Red flags fly when the army is training.

Tracks run up moorland to an area of clitter or granite boulders on the side of West Mill Tor. The rocky outcrops of West Mill Tor rise above you. Once at the outcrops, it's an easy climb to their tops.

 

Views, Yes Tor and High Willhays

The views are massive across the north plateau and over Mid Devon to Exmoor National Park. To your south west are Yes Tor and High Willhays. If you have time, we'd suggest walking to the summit of one, or both, of these. Together, they form the highest ground in southern England. They are also southern England's only two mountains. To the south east of West Mill Tor is East Mill Tor. It's a broad ridge of moorland topped by more impressive rocky outcrops. Again, the views are sensational.

 

Other routes

Dartmoor's a small place so you can cover a lot of ground in a day. For example, we've also walked to West Mill Tor from the car park at Meldon Reservoir, from Belstone village and from Okehampton itself.