Corndon Down

Corndon Down is named after the cairns that are found on this exposed sloping hill. There are three substantial Bronze age cairns and a fourth less obvious one. The reason for these cairns is simple - commanding views over the central Dartmoor countryside. Corndon also has an extensive set of Bronze Age reaves (prehistoric boundaries) and other remains of settlements and old field patterns. Around 1500 bc - when the climate was warmer - Corndon supported a substantial population of people and so it was necessary for them to parcel up the desirable land. Today Corndon is a gorsey heathland and couldn't be used for anything other than rough grazing. However, the views are just as stunning as the Bronze Age chieftains would have appreciated as a setting for their final resting grounds.  

Park offroad near Middle Cator at SX 681763. Head south and walk up the hillside track. Then just head southwards for about 1.5 miles until you get to Corndon Tor. On the way you'll pass two of the Corndon cairns. From the tor you can simply head back in a northwards direction.

This is a straightforward walk of around 3 miles. A little climbing required at the start of the walk. In the summer months gorse could be a problem. No military areas.

	Offroad parking at SX 681763 near to Middle Cator. The gentle north slope of Corndon is before us.
	The north facing view from the slopes of Corndon Down.
	Prehistoric field markers.
	Remains of a prehistoric reave.
	More prehistoric field divisions - in this case it separates the heather and gorse lands from the grasslands that the ponies are feeding on in the mid distance.
	Looking east from SX 687748. On the left horizon is Rippon Tor. In the right midground are the lands of Ponsworthy.
	The rocks at SX 687748.
	Some of the stones that make up one of the Corndon cairns at SX 687747. On the horizon are the hills of North Dartmoor.
	A view of western shoulder of the cairn. Underneath this pile of stones is a burial chamber. This has not yet been found.
	The north view of Corndon Down from Corndon Tor. You can hardly see 2 of the cairns in the middle distance.
	The main pile of Corndon Tor - SX 688742.
	The south view from Corndon Tor. You can see the distinct peak of Sharp Tor and the waters of Venford reservoir in the background.
	2 of the other piles of Corndon Tor. South Dartmoor in the background.
	The cairn at SX 686742.
	Another view over Corndon Down.
	A small pool at SX 685745.
	Approaching one of the cairns of Corndon.
	The broad scope of Corndon Down. In prehstoric times this would have been valuable agricultural land and criss crossed with fields boundaries. Today it is simply gorse heathland.
	Cathanger Rock SX 684750 - an isolated block of granite that really merits a tor status. The hinterlands of North Dartmoor are on the horizon.
	On top of the north slope of Corndon Down. Lots of gorse and heather. You can see the remains of an old field marker.
	A good example of granite stone walling near the roadside at SX 681763.