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Black Tor

Black Tor is part way up the impressive West Okement Valley. The views from this tor over Amicombe Hill and Northern Devon are excellent. Black Tor is an excellent start from which to explore the more isolated parts of northern Dartmoor. Owing to the short daytime and strong SE wind the described walk was unfortunately quite short.
Use the Meldon reservoir car park - SX 563917. There are a number of ways of getting to the West Okement valley. This walk starts off by taking the footpath on South Down and working around the reservoir until it drops down to Vellake Corner. Cross the Okement via the bridge and then gently head up the track towards Black Tor. There is a small nature reserve just below Shelstone Tor. Now climb quite steeply up to Black Tor. There is a straightforward track back to Longstone Hill, the reservoir and car park.
Although the described walk is short and straightforward there is a fair climb up the east side of the Okement valley to Black Tor. Vellake corner can be quite wet. Allow 2.5 - 3 hours. There are lots of ways to extend this walk eg. Yes Tor or even Cranmere.
This walk is bang in the centre of the Okehampton firing range.

 

 
The sizeable car park at Meldon reservoir (SX 563917).
Meldon Reservoir from SX 560916 with Longstone Hill behind. The impressive dam was completed in 1972.
Looking back on the path at South Down from the Meldon car park.
Meldon Reservoir. 
The bridge at Vellake Corner (SX 555906).
Looking up at Black Tor from the nature reserve at SX 560899.
The snowy approaches to Black Tor.
Black Tor (SX 566895).
Black Tor (SX 566895). Fordland's Ledge is just on the left background.
A NW view over the West Okment valley. On the right is the ridge of Homerton Hill. Tucked in the valley are the trees of the nature reserve with Shelstone Tor just above.
A photo of the Okement valley showing the outcrop of Branscombe's Loaf dwarfed by the bulk of Amicombe Hill. On the right lower hill are some of Sourton Tors.
A N view from Black Tor showing Homerton Hill on the left and Longstone Hill on the right.
A NE view from Black Tor with Sourton Tors in the background.
Resting from the wind among the upturned rocks of Black Tor.
The path over Longstone Hill. Although it looks peaceful the strong SE wind was bitingly cold.
Yes Tor from SX 568905.
The view from Longstone Hill over North Devon.
A view over the Meldon reservoir dam from Longstone Hill.
The valley downstream from the dam with Meldon quarry and viaduct in the distance.
 


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