Black Ridge Brook

The Black Ridge brook is a comparatively small stream that drains much of Black Ridge, some of Little Kneeset and the western part of Black Hill. It lies in an isolated part of High Dartmoor. In itself the brook is rather an ordinary sort of brook but the landscape that it runs in is one of the inner secrets of Dartmoor. The marshy plain of Amicombe is a wildlife haven and is only visited by isolated groups of walkers and soldiers under training manouevres.

Proceed along the military road from Okehampton and make for the observation post at Okement Hill (OP 15 - SX 603878). Park there and then head along the southern track towards Hangingstone Hill. Turn left towards the shallow pool of Ockerton Court and once past the pool head south over some rough ground towards East Okement head. Note that there are two tribituaries. The eastern one will take you to Cranmere pool, the western one ends up on beside Black Ridge. This walk took the western route. Head south and it is a short walk over the blanket bog to the more even ground that surrounds the Black Ridge brook. Follow the valley down and cross the brook near the tribituary confluence and walk up to the small hill of Little Kneeset. Fur Tor dominates the landscape here. Then head NW up the Amicombe valley until you get to Amicombe Hole and then head down to Kneeset Foot. Follow the East Okement upstream - the western bank is probably the easier one to follow. At Kneeset Foot head east to carry on following the Okement. After you pass a tinner's hut you can carry on NE up Vergyland Combe which will take you straight back to OP 15.

This is a 8.5 mile walk that includes some awkward walking ground. Map and compass are essential. If the mist comes down then good navigation is paramount. All of the area lies in the Okehampton military range.

	The metalled military road beside OP 15. This is a convenient place to park.
	The southern track that leads from OP 15 to Hangingstone Hill. We turn off this track to get to the West Okement valley.
	Ockerton Court.
	Looking over the upper Okement valley. We are heading directly across to the Black Ridge which is on the horizon.
	The upper Okement valley. This ground is harder walking than it might appear.
	The top of the Okement valley.
	The blanket bog at SX 599855. This is a short stretch of awkward walking ground - provided that one heads south.
	Near the head of Black Ridge brook at SX 599850. The ground gets much easier to walk along from here on.
	Further on down the Black Ridge brook valley. In the distance lies the great bulk of Fur Tor.
	The tinner's hut at SX 593845. This lies just between the confluence of the two feeder streams of the Black Ridge brook. It's in a very isolated place.
	The upper reaches of the Black Ridge brook. On the right you can see the edge of the substantial blanket bog that adorns Black Hill.
	Fur Tor from Little Kneeset.
	The small cairn on Little Kneeset at SX 585843.
	Looking north from Little Kneeset over Amicombe plain. On the left is the whaleback of Amicombe Hill.
	The view downstream of the Black Ridge brook at SX 584846
	Black Ridge brook
	Looking back at Fur Tor from the edge of Little Kneeset. In the summer this is a favourite grazing area for cattle.
	Amicombe plain with Fur Tor on the left.
	Approaching Amicombe Hole.
	Amicombe Hole
	A closer look at the wet ground of Amicombe Hole. You can see by the convex shape that this is a small watershed. To the south is the start of Amicombe brook, to the north the stream drains into the West Okement.
	The unnamed tribituary that runs down to join the West Okement at Kneeset Foot. On the left is part of Amicombe Hill.
	Looking over Kneeset Foot and the West Okement valley.
	The West Okement - looking downstream from SX 583861.
	The West Okement - looking upstream from SX 583861.
	The short valley of Jackman's Bottom.
	A tinner's hut beside the West Okement at SX 594867.
	Vergyland Combe with Great Kneeset on the skyline.
	Approaching OP 15.