Black Tor Copse NNR and Meldon Resrvoir

David Simkins

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This walk which starts on Prewley Down where there is masses of free parking, takes you to the ancient wood of Black Tor Copse, a National Nature Reserve. The wood is very similar to that of the more well-known Wistmans Wood near Two Bridges, but is much more remote and unlike Wistmans that is visited by hundreds of people every day, you will probably be the only person there. The twisted, knarled, stunted oaks grow out between moss-encrusted rocks next to the West Okement River, which you will follow to get there. After visiting the wood you will climb up nearly to Black Tor, but then swing away from the tor to head for Meldon Reservoir. If you want to visit the highest point on Dartmoor you are just half a mile from High Willhayes, which you could visit as an excursion, but if you see a red flag flying you can't go there as the Army beat you to it. If you really want to visit Yes Tor and High Willhays you must check the Dartmoor firing times first. All the waymarks on this walk are entirely outside the danger area so you are quite safe. At Meldon there is a large car park with toilets and probably an ice-cream van. You return following the West Devon and Dartmoor Way signs. It's not a strenuous walk but you will need some decent footwear, as Dartmoor rocks are not very forgiving.

England - South West England - Devon - Dartmoor