Cosdon Hill

Cosdon Hill (SX 637915) dominates the NE side of Dartmoor. Cosdon is a large, smooth dome of granite that gives excellent view over northern Devon. There are the remains of several cairns on the summit as well as a triangulation point. Cosdon has been used as a beacon in older times with the next beacon along at Dunkery in Exmoor. 

There is a limited parking off the Throwleigh - South Zeal road at SX 658916. Take the path up to Shilley Pool, cross the brook (which may not be easy) and head NW up the ridge to Cheriton Combe head and an impressive stone row. Take the sunken peat path that skirts Cosdon towards Hound Tor. Be careful of Raybarrow Pool - it's easy to stray off the path here. From Hound Tor a northerly track leads straight up to Cosdon Hill - an easy climb. Descend down the eastern side of Cosdon to get back to the car. 

Allow 3 - 4 hours depending on your pace. It isn't a difficult walk but be careful of mist and wet ground. It can get rather exposed out here. If you want to extend the walk then you could head for Wild Tor and Hangingstone Hill from Hound Tor.

The military range isn't far away.

	Off road parking at SX 658916.
	Shilley Pool. This is one of a number of delightful places along the Blackaton Brook.
	An easterly view over the Devon countryside from the track way that approaches the head of Cheriton Combe.
	An impressive triple stone row (known as The Graveyard) that runs W- E on Cheriton Combe plain at SX 644915. This shows the western part. The eastern part of the row has suffered from stone robbing.
	The miry ground of Cheriton Combe from the peat trackway.
	Another view of Cheriton Combe.
	The old sunken peat track that skirts around Cosdon Hill. It is sometimes known as the South Zeal track since peat was brought down to the village from the upper Taw moor.
	Part of the dangerous mire known as Raybarrow Pool. The mire is an enclosed and isolated place.
	The view towards Cosdon from Little Hound Tor (or Little Whit Hill).
	The cairn at Little Hound Tor. This was built in 1834 by a local who hoped that it would become one of the tors of the original Dartmoor forest boundary. The local could then increase his grazing rights.
	The stone circle (SX 633897) near to White Moor Stone.
	The splendid northerly view over Belstone from Hound Tor. On the left is Metheral Hill. On the right is part of Cosdon.
	Cosdon Hill from Hound Tor.
	A south east view from Hound Tor that shows Galleven Mire and the low mound of Headon. In the distance is Kes Tor. This photo doesn't do justice to the beauty of this view.
	Another view of Cosdon from Hound Tor.
	A view over Belstone in the background with Metheral Hill in the midground and the Small brook valley on the right. Taken at SX 631895.
	Cosdon Beacon. Cosdon is the largest hill of NE Dartmoor and can be seen from many miles around. There are 3 cairns grouped together on the top.
	One of the cairns on Cosdon Hill with the OS triangulation point (SX 637915).
	View over Cheriton Combe from halfway up the eastern side of Cosdon. The watery parts on the left are remains of old tin workings.
	Looking back on a trackway (SX 653913) that opens out onto the moor.