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Maiden Hill

Maiden Hill is one of the most desolate places on Dartmoor. Despite the name there's little that's maidenly about this place. The hill has no features other than a broad tract of peaty ground togther with peat hags, a couple of pools and wet ground. It's on the main inner plateau of Dartmoor so at 545m it's quite high. However unappealing the place may be in rain or mist, on a good sunny day it's a sheer pleasure to visit. Partly it's because of the isolation and the knowledge that even in England such places still exist.  And partly because it gives walkers the chance to visit other quite remote parts of Dartmoor.
Park by Holming Beam (SX 591765), walk up the track, cross the sile and head NW towards Black Dunghill. Head directly north. You'll come to Conies Down stream, cross it and keep on a northerly track up the hillside to Maiden Hill. Carry along north over the fen, cross Spriddle Lake and continue until you start to see the Tavy valley. Then cross the stream and head up the valley on the west side of the tavy. Once at Tavy head you'll need to plot a SE course over rough ground to West Dart Head. Then either take a straight southerly bearing or follow the contours that take you to Horse Hole. From Horse Hole cross more rough ground on a SW bearing. You'll get to the Beardown Man and from there the way back to Holming Beam should be pretty straightforward.
This is a significant walk into the inner parts of Dartmoor. Map, compass and so forth are absolutely essential. If the weather turns poor then the terrain will become challenging. The nature of this walk will vary from season to season. Walking conditions may be easier in the winter but you'll have to watch your timing. The described walk took place in pretty ideal conditions. Part of the walk lies in military areas.
 
The north view from the car park near Holming Beam (SX 591765). This area is used a lot by the military when the ranges are in use. This picture was taken in April 2010 when air travel around Britain was banned as a result of the Icelandic volcanic eruption. This made the sky even more clear and blue.
One of the pools of Black Dunghill. This place isn't quite as bad as its name suggests. On the horizon lies Great Mis Tor.
Looking northwards towards Conies Down from the hillside at SX 585783. On the right is the Cowsic valley. The Lych way goes along the Conies Down valley in front.
Another view of Conies Down. Behind Conies Down lies Maiden Hill.
The south view from Conies Down Tors. Straightahead is the Cowsic and on the left skyline are the Beardown Tors.
One of the Conies Down Tors - SX 589791
Maiden Hill at SX 588796. This is an exposed and featureless place - apart from the peat hags. Great Mis Tor on the horizon.
Another picture of Maiden Hill.
Looking over the NE upper stretches of the Tavy from SX 587812. The headwaters of the Tavy are straight ahead but barely susceptible as it drains an extensive area of the featureless upper fen.
The Tavy.
Upper Tavy valley.
Tinner's hut at SX 589813. It's a long walk from here to civilisation so it made sense for the old tinners to bed down here.
Another tinner's hut beside the Tavy. - SX 594813
The upper reaches of the Tavy. The head just about visible as a black dash on the left horizon. To the right horizon lies Cut Hill.
Approaching Tavy head
Tavy Head at SX 595820. There's a thick blanket of peat through which water trickles down and starts the Tavy river. The water is pretty pure.
South view from Tavy Head.
This is what Tavy Head looks like from the peat layer above it. This is an isolated spot - no trees or bushes anywhere nearby.
This is the view above West Dart Head. The emergent river is heading off in a SE direction. You can barely make it out but the ground around the stream is slightly greener than the rest. This is featureless country. On the right horizon there's Wildbank Hill but the rest of the scenery blends together.
West Dart Head - SX 601817
On the hill slope at SX 601808. This is a great place to stop and admire the view. On the horizon is Rough Tor.
Horse Hole
Beardown man - SX 596797.
Looking southwards towards Lydford Tor from the small unnamed set of rocks at SX 598789.
Beardown Tors.
 


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