Cut Hill

Cut Hill is in North Dartmoor. It is one of the most isolated places of Dartmoor. The panoramic views from the summit are among the best that Dartmoor offers. Cut Hill is largely surrounded by wet and tussocky ground. The high fen is not far away. The word Cut derives from an old drovers' track - Cut Lane - which cuts through the fen that separates the Dart and Tavy valleys and thus allowed the more easy passage of livestock across the moor.

Start at the Postbridge car park SX 646788 and take the Drift Lane path to Broad Down and over to Sandy Lane Pass. Stay on the left bank of the East Dart and follow it upstream past the old tin mounds until you get to the waterfall of Kit Steps. Turn leftwards and follow the tributary stream up to the southern edge of Cut Hill. Cross it and walk around the eastern side of Cut Hill  until you find Cut Lane on the northern side. Then head south over the top of Cut Hill, take the North West peat pass (not easy to find) and then walk over wet ground to Flat Tor. Head SE over more wet ground to Wildbanks Hill from where you head east towards Broad Down skirting yet more wet ground. Once at Broad Down return to Postbridge. 

This is a long walk and one not to be taken lightly in misty conditions. In bright sunshine - as the photos show - it is a pleasure to walk. There is some wet ground south of Cut Hill especially around Flat Tor and roughish ground on the NE slope of Cut Hill. Allow 5 - 6 hours for this walk, especially if you want to stop and admire the views along the way. 

A lot of this area lies in the military firing ground. 

	Drift lane, Postbridge. This is an old drover's route for taking sheep and cattle over the northern moor to Okehampton.
	Looking up the East Dart valley with Roundy Park in the foreground.
	The southern approach to Sandy Hole Pass at SX 623812.
	Sandy Hole Pass - an excellent place to stop for elevenses.
	Sandy Hole Pass.
	Walking up the side of the East Dart at SX 620817 just beyond Sandy Hole Pass. On the horizon lies Cut Hill.
	Looking up the East Dart valley from near Broad Marsh. Cut Hill is getting nearer.
	Looking eastwards towards Winney's Down from the edge of Broad Marsh.
	Walking alongside the East Dart at SX 615818 and approaching Kit Steps where the Cut Hill streams join the East Dart. There are substantial tin streaming remains all around here.
	The northerly view from Kit Steps at SX 613820. Cut Hill in the background.
	The south eastern view down the Cut Hill (Lane?) stream valley. Beyond lies the East Dart. We are on the eastern slope of Cut Hill.
	An granite outcrop with a small walker's cairn on top. On the NE slope of Cut Hill at SX 602830.
	Looking westwards from near Cut Lane - SX 599831. On the left is Fur Tor, with Cut Combe valley on the right. In the background is Hare Tor, Rattlebrook and Great Links.
	The northwards view from near Cut Lane. The West Okement valley is immediately above the marker stone, with Yes Tor to the right and Great Links Tor on the far left. Amicombe Hill is in shadow.
	Looking south from Cut Hill.
	The summit of Cut Hill with the northern tors of Dartmoor behind.
	The peaty ground of the southern slope of Cut Hill at SX 599827.
	The start of the North West Passage peat pass.
	This is wet ground at SX 605819 - not far from West Dart Head.
	The ground near West Dart head.
	The east view from Flat Tor - SX 609817. Broady Marsh stream is in the middleground while on the far horizon is Hameldown.
	Looking south from Flat Tor over the upper Dart valley. On the right horizon is the distinctive shape of Rough Tor while on the left is part of Wildbanks Hill.
	More wet ground south of Flat Tor. We are walking towards Wildbanks Hill.
	Looking southwards over Hollowcombe Head from the edge of Wildbanks Hill at SX 616805.
	Looking westwards from SX 620802 over the upper West Dart valley. On the right horizon is Rough Tor and just below it lies Brown's House.
	Looking south along Hollowcombe Bottom from SX 624800. Higher White Tor is on the right horizon.
	Looking east towards Postbridge from SX 624800.
	The view over Postbridge from Broad Down.