Stall Moor

Stall Moor lies between the Yealm and Erme rivers of south Dartmoor. The moor is a typical plain of grassland - rather bland and featureless, but giving good views over the Erme in good weather. Stall Moor is easy to get to and gives fine access to some of the more remote parts of the southern moor. This walk only skirts the edge of this but it gives us a taste as to what lies within.

Park at New Waste (SX 624611). Take the path that leads north to Watercombe Gate and carry northwards following the contours of the hillside. The Yealm valley is obvious and so finding Yealm steps is easy (if you wanted to extend the walk then carry on up to Yealm Head). After admiring the views then head east over Stall Moor. This is fairly easy walking although a bit featureless. Cross the Bledge brook and make for the stone row and circle. Then head south for Staldon Hill crossing a bit of wet ground near where the Bledge flows into the Erme. From the top of Staldon just make for the water treatment works at New Waste.

This is a straightforward 5 mile walk with little wet ground. If mist descends then it would be easy to get disorientated on Stall Moor. No military areas to worry about.

	The footpath (SX 625612) leading north towards Watercombe Gate from New Waste.
	Looking east from SX 625620. Penn Beacon on the skyline, the treetops of Dendle's Waste peep above the steep gorge of the Yealm.
	Dendle's Waste and part of the Wood from the side of Combe Hill.
	Another view of Dendle's Wood from the side of Combe Hill. Cornwood village in the distance.
	The middle section of the Yealm valley. This is where the top of Dendle's waste starts. Yealm Steps is in the centre distance.
	The waterfall at Yealm Steps as seen from the north side of Combe Hill at SX 620630. Just below is the confluence of the Ranny brook with the Yealm.
	The Ranny brook with extensive remains of tin streaming.
	Looking down at the remains of an old blowing house beside the Yealm - SX 617635.
	A south facing view of the middle Yealm valley.
	The south view from Yealm Steps. On the left in the mid distance is the west slope of Combe Hill. The start of Dendle's Wood is in the centre.
	The Yealm just upstream of Yealm Steps.
	Looking west towards the upper part of the Yealm from the side of Furze Hill - SX 620639
	The SE view towards Three Barrows from Stall Moor.
	The easterly view from Stall Moor.
	Looking down the Bledge brook valley towards the Erme valley. Three Barrows and Sharp Tor on the horizon.
	The SE view over the Erme from SX 632644.
	Looking NE towards the meeting of Hook Lake with the Erme from SX 635645. On the hillside of Brown Heath you can see one of the old stone circles.
	Near the start of the longest stone row in the world - SX 635645. Over 2 miles long it ends at a cairn on Green Hill.
	The south view down the Erme valley from Erme Plains. Staldon Hill on the right and Sharp Tor on the left.
	Looking at the middle section of the Erme (Erme Plains) from the top of Staldon Hill. Stall Moor on the left and you can see the line of part of the stone row.
	Looking NE from Staldon Hill towards the short, steep gorges of Dry and Left Lake.
	The Cornwood Maidens - part of the Staldon stone row that strides across the top of the hill. The row is from the Bronze age. Stall moor and the Erme valley are in the background.
	Another view of the Cornwood Maidens - this one is south facing.
	Hillson's House with Stall Moor in the background. This is a small shelter built on top of a Bronze Age cairn. The tall story is that a man called Hillson made clocks here.
	The view over Plymouth from Staldon Hill. After the quiet and isolation of Stall Moor it is quite a surprise to see such a large city so nearby.
	Southwards from Staldon Hill. Ivybridge is hidden behind the hills while on the left is part of the southern part of Dartmoor - Butterdon Hill and Western Beacon.