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Up the Ockment

The Ockment (or West Okement) reaches up to Cranmere Pool. This walk doesn't go quite that far. The Okement valley is one of the steepest valleys in Dartmoor. It's grand as well as being rugged. Ten Tor'ers refer to it as Death Valley - not because it's hot, but because of the climbs.
Park at the village green of Sourton - near the church. Take the track that leads up to Sourton Tors. It goes over the abandoned line of the old Waterloo to Plymouth railway line. As you approach the Tors take the left hand path which takes you past the ridges of the ice factory. Head due east to Shelstone Tor from where you can then walk up the Okement valley. If you want to cross the river to look more closely at Black-a-tor copse then you can, else continue until you get to some wet ground just before Sandy Ford. It's time to climb the steep slopes of Amicombe Hill which should take you to Stenga Tor (use Fordland Ledge to guide you if necessary). The views over the Okement are excellent in good weather. From Stenga Tor head SW over Woodcock Hill and make for Hunt Tor (you should meet a trackway along the way). From Hunt Tor it's straightforward to drop down via Gren Tor until you get to the old rail track and then head north back towards Sourton Tors.
Not an easy walk - largely because there's one steep climb and there's a little rough ground on the top of Woodcock Hill. But not a difficult walk either - in fact most of the going is straightforward. None of the walk takes place in a military area, but you do get very near to the Okehampton range boundary. About 6 miles long.
 
The Saxon cross of Sourton village green. This was set up near the church in 1985 having been found half buried nearby.
The Sourton ice factory of 1875 - SX 545900. These terraces housed shallow basins which would be filled with water and then in cold weather would freeze. The ice would then be transported down to Plymouth for the fish industry. Unfortunately, this venture failed - like so many hopeful Dartmoor enterprises.
Looking towards Meldon Reservoir from the northern slopes of Corn Ridge.
The western view from Shelstone Tor.
Shelstone Tor - SX 559899. This is quite an extensive tor with some good rock formations and some very good views. Sourton Tors on the horizon.
The SE view of the Okement from Shelstone Tor. Black Tor is on the left side with the old oak wood of Black-a-tor just below.
A closer look at Black Tor and Black-a-tor copse. This wood is a nature reserve since it is one of the few vestigial oak woods left on Dartmoor.
Looking up at Black Tor rocks with Black-a-tor copse below.
The north view of the Okement valley with Black-a-tor copse on the right.
Looking south up the Okement valley.
Looking south up the Okement valley from SX 570885.
The Okement valley.
The Okement valley from half way up the slope.
Looking due north to the start of the Okement valley. Black Tor and its associated woodland can be easily seen.
A view of Lints Tor and the Okement from the side of Amicombe Hill at SX 569881. You can see Sandy Ford just in front of Lints Tor with Okement Hill and Great Kneeset on the horizon.
A closer up view of Lints Tor from SX 569881.
The east view from the plateau of Woodcock Hill at SX 567880. On the horizon is High Willhays and Fordsland Ledge whereas just below on the right you can make out the rocks of Stenga Tor.
The trackway at SX 562876 that leads towards Hunt Tor.
Hunt Tor - SX 557875.
The view over the Rattlebrook peat grounds from Hunt Tor. 100 years ago this would have been an industrial eyesore. In the far distance lies the bulkhead of Fur Tor.
Heading down on the track towards Gren Tor.
Gren Tor - SX 551879. An undemonstrative tor, but with a great vista.
The view over West Devon from Gren Tor. You can see part of the Rattlebrook railtrack below as it crosses the Lyd stream.
Points - SX 545888. This was a reversing junction for the Rattlebrook peat railway. Great Links Tor on the horizon.
Heading back towards Sourton Tors. Lake Down on the left
One of the Sourton Tors - SX 543898. This is dolerite - not granite - and was intruded along the edge of the granitic mass.
A shot of some other of the Sourton Tors. The ground is curiously bumpy.
Looking down towards Sourton from the tors.
 


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