Princetown, Nun's Cross, Tor Royal

(S/E) After leaving the car park, head south, between the Plume of Feathers Inn and the former pub, now a bunkhouse, 'The Railway'. Go through the moor gate and follow the track up the hill. As the hill levels out (weather permitting), view across the moorland and a tor alongside the track, which is (1) South Hessary Tor.

(1) South Hessary Tor.
See: Iron rod on the top of the Tor. This is a marker for the Parish boundaries, and land to the East is the Forest of Dartmoor, which is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. The beating of the bounds, a tradition of 'staking claim to land', is still done to this day and is also a long-distance walk - The Dartmoor Perambulation - 78.5 km, with 2040 m ascent.

Back to the route - continue along the track, noting standing stones, boundary stone - the stones with the pyramid top and marked PCWW are markers for 'water catchment' for Plymouth City. When the wall on the left stops. The track starts to descend, and there will be a point where a defined track appears east to west.

(2) Arrive at a junction on the track. To your right is the way to Older Bridge, but this route keeps going straight forward.

Option: To shorten the route, turn left to (5) and follow back from there.

Continue south to Siward's Cross, better known as Nun's Cross, turning off the track and towards the old farm house, now an outward bound bunk house. Continue on a southeasterly direction and meet with a granite sleeper bridge crossing over the 'stream'.
This is the Devonport Leat, which originally supplied water for the old town of Devonport and supplied water for the naval fleet. This changed when Devonport merged with and formed the City of Plymouth. To the right, the leat flows through the hill.

(3) On the right-hand bank, follow the leat upstream (North). There will be a road to cross and sluice gates (they have walkways) to negotiate.
Periodically, granite sleepers are jutting towards each other across the leat; these are 'sheep jumps', where sheep and humans can get across the leat.
Continue following the leat upstream and around the back of some remote, black house - Whiteworks, one of which is occupied, the other outward bound.
Looking south and across the basin, hills on the other side. The basin is Fox Tor Mire - the Mire which inspired Conan Doyle to write 'The Hounds of the Baskervilles', with the mire being 'Gripen Mire' in the book.
The leat sweeps around the hill along the contour to Peat Cot.

(4) Walk up the track past the old chapel to Tor Royal Lane.

(5) Turn right and head north along the road, until the road descends to a sharp left bend.

(6) At this point you have a choice:
Option 1: follow Tor Royal Lane to (S/E) (a hill but less distance)
Option 2: complete the route as described, by turning right and down the track to the gate and bridge over the leat.

(7) Cross over the stile to the leat path and continue down to Bullpark.

(8) Bullpark.
See: the gate leading out onto the newtake, during the war, 'Conscientious objectors' were put to task with building a road, the remains of which are still present.
Continue through the gate on the left and follow the track to Bacholar's Hall.
This was at one point a slaughterhouse for the prison farm animals; it is now another outward bound bunkhouse.
Turn left up the track and over the bridge, shut the gate.

(9) This last leg follows perhaps the most muddy section of the route, approaching the top, houses will start to appear, on the outskirts of Princetown. Approaching and looking north (subject to cloud cover), Dartmoor Prison will be visible. At the gate, turn left onto the main road; there is no pavement for a short period. Follow the road back into the village and the start (S/E).

Plotting this route suggested it as 'easy', but it has been changed to 'moderate'. The reason being the climb up to Dewerstone, the top, and the return path could be very slippery if wet and steep near the finish.

• Start: This walk's starting point - in the village there is a car park - W3W >>>
• Transport: There is a bus service to the village of Princetown; walkers would need to consider the timetable for the return trip, if choosing a bus.
• Parking: Vehicle parking - the car park is a pay-and-display, and there are EV charging points. If you are fortunate, there may be parking spaces along the main road.
• Timing: The estimated time taken should allow for extra time, when appropriate, for exploration and personal pace.
• Note: Ensure that the highway code is followed and that dogs are kept under control, especially near the moorland farm animals
• Wellbeing: Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the conditions. Keep hydrated, consider snacks. Walking at a pace that suits everyone in the group.
• Accessibility: The main track out is usually well maintained, but can still have divots and bumps. The leat paths may have divots and undulations (it is single file). Consider 'wellbeing'.
• Water Hazard: The leat is a slow-flowing, 1.2 m (4ft) wide and varies in depth, no deeper than 1 m (3 feet).
• Mobile Signal: Do not rely on a mobile signal. Dartmoor is known to have poor mobile reception areas. It is best to download the route to the Visorando app before getting to Burrator. When hiking remotely, it is advisable to have a backup plan and a battery bank for the mobile phone.
• Refreshments: This walk is remote, and the local convenience shop sells various provisions, if needed.
• Handrail: Is to follow a known linear feature, like a wall, a hedge, a known ( not seasonal) water course, etc.

NOTE: Dartmoor's weather can change very quickly; be prepared.

• Public convenience - at the village car park
• Local village shop
• The Old Police Station -Cafe
• The Fox Tor Cafe and bunk house
• The Plume of Feathers - Oldest pub - bunk house and camping
• The Prince of Wales - Pub and accommodation
• The Duchy Guest House
• The Dewerstone - outdoor clothing outlet >>>
• The Two Bridges Hotel - 2 miles away
• Dartmoor Prison - visit the museum.