Dartmoor: The Tors and Rocks West of Cadover Bridge (Part 2)

West Down Piles

Continuing from Part 1, we took the well walked footpath towards Shaugh Bridge to begin climbing the staircase towards West Down. We were totally oblivious as to what to expect in these woods.

Paul Buck crossing the footbridge

The path steepened too much for my liking, and I had to stop a couple of times to conserve my energy. That aside, I could tell that Paul was excited to show Tim and I 'West Down Piles', a large tor of 3 main sections that he found in March 2017.

West Down Piles

West Down Piles

West Down Piles

West Down Piles

West Down Piles

The highest and most impressive collection of granite can be found at SX 5385 6348, just below the main footpath.

West Down Piles upper

A little further along, we came to a magnificent outcrop, sliding down the hill much like Burra Tor but this time in the form of a hippo. We were all impressed and too significant to ignore, and certainly not an outlier, we dubbed it West Down Tor at SX 5400 6349.

West Down Tor lower

West Down Tor lower

West Down Tor lower

However, this was only the lower portion of a great tor. Paul investigated higher up and called us to join him to see the upper levels, well off the footpath. The 'south rock' is an interesting formation; it looks like a balanced rock to me at SX 5401 6344.

West Down Tor south rock

West Down Tor south rock

We were having so much fun we found another section, believed to be the uppermost part of this tor. It presents itself as a sprawl of blocky boulders, with the appearance of being worked on. As these three outcrops were well distinguished, we each gave them a grid reference for the purposes of bagging.

West Down Tor upper

West Down Tor upper

West Down Tor upper

We reluctantly left this jewel to rejoin the footpath through North Wood. The woodland cleared and we were afforded what I would describe as one of Dartmoor's most spectacular views, that of Dewerstone Rock. I had to remind myself that this location is only an hours drive from my home.

Dewerstone Rock

Paul and Dewerstone Rock

But this was not the end. Nearing Cadover Bridge I spotted, on my right, an outcrop by a fence. I called my companions to join me to realise it extended further down to the river. Rather scattered, and a good example of an emergent tor, Tim came up with the suitable name of 'Little Cadover Tor' and it lies at SX 5521 6445.

Little Cadover Tor

Little Cadover Tor

Little Cadover Tor

River Plym at Little Cadover Tor

Back at Cadover Bridge, I had to reward myself with an Ice Cream; it was mandatory. I would call today a successful day, despite the headaches involved with documenting every outcrop! We had to be quite strict on what was to be allowed otherwise it would be even more chaotic. I once again thank Tim and Paul for your great company.