Crow Tor, Two Bridges, Dartmoor National Park
Head up the valley from Two Bridges to Wistman's Wood and you'll see a distinctive lump of granite on a spur of land to the north. This is Crow Tor. The spur of land is cut by the West Dart River to the east and south and by a small moorland stream to the west. North, the moorland rises from Crow Tor to Rough Tor and then up to a particularly boggy section of Dartmoor's north plateau where the West Dart River, River Tavy and River Cowsic rise.
Walk to Crow Tor for the views. From its rocky outcrops, you get a super view of Wistman's Wood set in the valley below the dramatic Beardown Tors and Longaford Tor. The dome of North Hessary Tor with its mast are also visible above Princetown.
Visiting Crow Tor during a spell of dry weather is easy. Water levels in the West Dart River and the moorland stream to the west of Crow Tor are low and you can hop, or walk, across rocks to span the river. In wetter periods, we've been unable to cross the West River Dart. Note that this applies to Wistman's Wood Ford as well. Below describes how we've been able to access Crow Tor in various weather conditions. If you have alternative routes or additional information, we'd love to add the knowledge here.
When the moors are dry and river levels low, you can walk to Wistman's Wood from Two Bridges or on the old Lichway/Lych Way. From there, head for the section of the West Dart River where it bends into a horseshoe and is met by the moorland stream. There's a Tinner's Hut marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map to help you find this. Cross the water. Use the stile to climb over the wall and head up to Crow Tor. You can cross the river and climb another stile a little further up the wall as well.
When the moors are wet and river levels high, we've walked to Crow Tor from the parking area at Holming Beam and from the path that runs west of the West Dart River from Two Bridges. Again, head for the moorland stream. A stile takes you over a wall before you drop down to the stream. Jump across. Head on up to the tor. We've also walked in via Higher White Tor and Lower White Tor and crossed the West Dart River much further upstream where it's skinnier near Brown's House. You then walk up to Rough Tor and follow the firing range markers down to Crow Tor.
If river levels are very high, don't try to cross the water to get to Crow Tor. As mentioned, we've turned around on many occasions, especially at Wistman's Wood Ford.
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