Sharp Tor and Hunters Tor - 12th Dec 2011

Sharp Tor, Nr Castle Drogo

Two Orienteering races over the weekend had left my legs stiff, but I wanted to get out and back on the Tor Trail after such a long break predominately due to a calf injury suffered in July.  Happily that seems to be behind me and so I set off for a walk with Bramble to explore the in the valley below Castle Drogo.  We set off  from Fingle Bridge and climbed on the path to Drewston Common, after the initial climb the path levels off and offers great views over the moors with Kes Tor in full view.  We were soon at Sharp Tor (181), an interesting Tor perched on the side of the valley.  We didn't venture to far out along the Tor as the rock was wet and slippery. We continued on to Hunters Tor (180) which sat atop a long spur.  Not stopping long as the rain had now set in we descended into the valley and keeping to the northern riverbank we followed the path alongside the river back to Fingle Bridge.  

Sharpitor, Hunters and back for Raven Tor another day

Sharpitor

Hay Tor on the Horizon

Hunters Tor

In my opinion some Dartmoor Tors are worth a visit any time of the year, in any conditions, but as I found today others are at their best at certain times of the year.  Sharpitor nr Lustleigh I hope is one of the latter, as in the peak of summer there is little to see.  It reminded me of a lost Inca city, taken back from humans by nature.  So I plan to go back this winter and have a good look around, anyway I have to go back as we failed to get to Raven Tor at all.  If I been on my own I would have gone for it but with Abbie and Bramble it would have quickly turned into an epic.  We did manage to find three Geocaches so Abbie was happy.   The views of Hay Tor, Hound Tor and Bowerman's Nose were excellent. We continued on to Hunters Tor where we had lunch, a nice tor spoiled only by a farmers fence cutting through the centre of the Tor.  After lunch we doubled back on ourselves, returning to the car.