Buttern Hill

Buttern Hill is a rather diminuitive hill on the NE slopes of Dartmoor. But it has some nice views over the NE side of Dartmoor. Buttern derives from the 11th century word 'Buter' meaning good pasture. And indeed there's a couple of fertile newtakes on the hill and there always seems to be cattle nearby. It's pretty easy place to get to and makes for an ideal short walk. There's the remains of hut circles, old markers and a Neolithic burial cairn so the hill has been frequented by people for many years. Buttern Hill is also a good launchpad for longer walks into the interior of the moor.

Park off the road by Great Ensworthy (SX 659895). Take the track that leads up to Buttern Hill beside Buttern Farm. The track leads up between the farm and some fields and takes you to the eastern slopes of Buttern Hill. Carry on up to the top and then walk southwards until you can see the view over Gidleigh Common opening up. This walk then circumnavigated most of the hill returning back to Buttern Farm.

This is a straightforward walk although some of the ground is rough and wet. Expect to meet livestock. No military areas.

	The start of the walk near Great Ensworthy. Buttern Hill is on the horizon and one of the tracks up the hill is clearly visible. The vehicles are those of a local hunt who have been out all day on the moor.
	The muddy Buttern track that leads up to Buttern Hill.
	Halfway up the Buttern track. Whoever laid this track spent a lot of effort in constructing it. It consists of roughly laid slabs of granite and shows a real commitment to getting up to the hill. This was probably used to transport rushes and peat off the moor. Buttern farm lies behind the left wall.
	The view from the eastern slope of Buttern Hill. In the distance is the distinctive silhouette of Meldon Hill near to Chagford.
	Remains of hut circles near the top of the hill. There are a lot of these in this area. There were thriving communities here nearly 4000 years ago.
	The small rockpile of Buttern Rocks on top of Buttern Hill - SX 653886. These are certainly big enough to be called a tor - Buttern Tor maybe?
	Looking north towards Cosdon from Buttern Hill.
	The view over Gidleigh Common from south side of Buttern Hill - SX 653883
	The small Sandy ford at SX 649885. Beyond lies Rival Tor and on towards Wild Tor.
	The rather diminutive Buttern stone circle at SX 649885. All of the stones have fallen over (probably by animals) and I guess in the summer that the vegetation would hide much of it.
	On the side of Whitemoor Marsh. This looks to be a proper Dartmoor bog - not the place to go charging into.
	Rocks and what looks like old stone remains (reaves) on Buttern Hill.
	Remains of hut circles in the newtake fields on the slopes of Buttern Hill.
	The track leading back down to the car park.