Belstone Tor, just outside the Dartmoor village of Belstone, is one of the easiest Tors to ‘bag’. It’ll give you feel for the wild nature of Northern Dartmoor. OK, it’s not often snowy, as it is in this image, but it’s fabulous at any time of year, and in clear weather you get an amazing view of North Devon. If you’ve got binoculars with you you might pick out the turbine at Wheatland Farm Eco Lodges.
If you’ve got youngsters with you, look for the geocache stamp box somewhere around the Tor, or by a feature, such as the twisted tree.
The next Tor along is Irishman’s Wall, and from there you can head out to Yes Tor if you’re feeling energetic. Alternatively, drop down to the ford in the valley and return to Belstone along the stream, soon to become the River Taw.
Or if the weather is unkind, try a more genteel walk through Belstone Cleave, which is lovely even in the rain (and more sheltered than the high moor). If even that’s too much, there’s always the extensive whiskey collection at the pub!
Getting there: there’s a car park just outside the village, where you’re encouraged to leave the car. That way you get a walk through the pretty village too. Don’t forget to visit the old Pound (now a community garden) and get your picture in the stocks!
Or you could bike to Belstone, if you want a day of it.
Limited mobiity? There’s one gate to negotiate onto the moor, just past the water pumping station. Then it’s a relatively gentle gradient going up to the base of the Tor.