Norsworthy Bridge to Down Tor

A walk up to Down Tor, with views over Burraton Reservoir, following a well-used trail up to the tor, and to be rewarded with the view, especially as the sun sets, reflecting off the water.

Although this walk leads up to the top of the tor, there are opportunities to go off route to head north, down the hill to the river, and then follow that downstream to the start.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.46 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 121 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 121 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 355 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 234 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Starting at Norsworthy Bridge parking area: W3W >>>

(S/E) At the parking area, and looking east by the trees on the left, there is a track and a path leading up through what was a field. Heading east up through the field, the well-used path will lead through a series of old fields, and the wall may appear as linear features of varying heights. The path will work its way, passing a large rocky outcrop, through the fields and up to Down Tor.

(1) The route back is the same way, but with potential variation in the trodden paths, head west (E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 234 m - Norsworthy Bridge
  2. 1 : km 1.24 - alt. 355 m - Down Tor
  3. S/E : km 2.46 - alt. 234 m - Norsworthy Bridge

Notes

  1. Ensure the walk matches your needs, skills, and abilities
  2. Check the weather forecast.
  3. Be prepared with suitable clothing, footwear, and equipment.
  4. Personal medication
  5. Consider something to eat, and always keep hydrated; take a drink.
  6. Use the Visorando app, download the walk to your mobile. Consider a battery backup and or a printed route.
  7. Let someone know where you are. The app has a share route function, ‘Share my Location’.

NOTE:Norsworthy Bridge, the Burrator area, is known to have a poor mobile signal. Ensure the route has been downloaded to the app for offline use. The signal should return on gaining height.

  • Parking: Vehicle parking - There is a parking area at Norsworthy Bridge, and an alternative parking area is 400m south, on the road
  • Transport:There is a moorland bus which terminates near the start. Timings of the buses should be confirmed, allowing for the return trip
  • Timing: The time taken is estimated, to allow extra time, when appropriate, for exploring and personal pace.
  • Accessibility: This route follows a well-trodden path up to Down Tor, with some rocks to negotiate. Bracken will grow during the summer months. It has been assigned "Easy" due to a reasonable path to follow and the distance.
  • Facilities: None nearby, there may be an Ice cream van, or see in the 'nearby area'

Start: This walk's starting point, Norseworthy Bridge parking area- W3W >>>

During the walk

  • The Route:Where applicable, keep to the defined paths
  • The Countryside:Respect its inhabitants, and other Countryside users
  • Leave no trace: leave only footprints, but take away great memories
  • Dogs: bag it and bin it, don't sling it.
  • Country Codes: Keep dogs under control. Farmers do have special powers regarding dogs worrying farm animals, even on open moorland
  • Self-Care: Know your own limitations; walking is an adventure and can involve risks. Be responsible and know when to turn back, rather than get into difficulties.

    NOTE:When walking on Dartmoor, the weather can change in an instant; one minute it's sunny, and the next, thick with fog, it can be dry, then heavy rain. Be prepared

    Care should be taken when climbing tors, especially when wet; be mindful of the more adventurous scrambles and appreciate that there can be some high drops.

    Where sheep roam, and bracken grows. There is a remote chance of picking up 'ticks'. It is advisable to check oneself and the dogs after the walk for tics. Be Tick aware >>>

    Report any findings; see app ' ! '

Worth a visit

During the walk

  • The climb up to Down Tor, the views over the Reservoir

Nearby

  • The Stone Age settlement, stone row, cairns (ancient burial mounds), and a menhir (a large standing stone), see route below.
  • Cuckoo Rock - A huge boulder in the middle of a boulder field
  • Burrator Arboretum - A woodland walk near the parking area.
  • The Village of Meavy, with the Royal Oak, the public house, and the Old Oak Tree on the village green

Feel like exploring a little more? The nearby Visorando walk will guide to the stone row- Norsworthy, Down Tor, and Cuckoo Rock >>>>

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