All | Little | Shorter | Standard | Longer | Tors | Relics | History | Links | Panoramas | Home

 

Spriddle Lake

Spriddle Lake is one of the head tribituaries of the Walkham river. Although it is diminutive it is located in one of the quieter parts of North Dartmoor. The area around is quite desolate and used to be a main centre of peat cutting. The walk is an excuse to visit the upper reaches of the Cowsic and Walkham rivers and to experience the edge of the Dartmoor wilderness.
Park by Holming Beam (SX 591765), walk up the track, and turn right down a short steep track towards the Cowsic. Cross over the wooden bridge and head up towards Lydford Tor. Go over the newtake wall and walk north towards Devil's Tor and Beardown Man. Carry on north following the line of the Cowsic. We approach serious fen country and the walking gets tougher although in the snow it is surprisingly easy. Walk  around the head - there are excellent views from here - and walk along the ridge for a while. Then head SW keeping the main tribituary of Spriddle on your right. Carry along the contour, pass over the Lych way and head south down the Walkham valley. The Prison leat can guide you for a while. Then head SE around Black Dunghill and take the path the leads you back to Holming Beam.
A good walk that could be quite challenging in adverse weather or in high summer when the grass could be difficult to walk through. Map and compass are essential. Most of the area is in a military range. Allow 4 hours.
 
The start of our walk and a view over the upper Cowsic valley.
Looking north up the Cowsic valley from the wooden bridge at SX 595770.  On the right is Lydford Tor, on the left horizon is Maiden Hill
Carrying Pru over the Cowsic bridge.
Walking up towards Beardown Tor.
Eliot spying out the way forward.
Lunch near Devil's Tor (SX 597794).
An easterly view towards Rough Tor from SX 597794.
Another easterly view of Rough Tor.
A south east view from SX 597794.
Another south east view.
The Beardown Man menhir.
Snow shrouded peaty ground.
The north view over Fur Tor and the Okement valley from the Cowsic ridge at SX 590806.
Another north view from the ridge at SX 590806. Cut Hill on the right, Fur Tor on the left.
Crossing over near Spriddle Lake head.
Frozen ground on the west side of Maiden Hill. In the far distance is Hare Tor, with Lynch Tor on the left.
Looking over Spriddle Lake from SX 584798.
Walking over Conies Down.
An icebound part of the Prison Leat at SX 575785. Cocks Hill lies behind the Walkham valley.
Black Dunghill near Blackbrook Head.
A northerly view up the Walkham valley. Cocks Hill on the left.
Walking around the side of Black Dunghill. For once its name belies its appearance.
Getting near to Holming Beam at SX 582771. Beardown Tors on the horizon.
Sunset over Great Mistor.
Helping Pru over the barbed wire fence.
The north view from the car park near Holming Beam (SX 591765). Lydford and Beardown Tors are on the horizon.
 


All | Little | Shorter | Standard | Longer | Tors | Relics | History | Links | Panoramas | Home