Sourton Tors Loop Dartmoor

Start: School Road, Lydford, next to the Lydford House Hotel, Ref: 50.647983, -4.099561, what3words ///hugs.butter.concluded. From the main road down into the village, park along the road before you enter.

(S/E) The route follows the Granite Way, access next to the Lydford Hotel, and follows north for 2 km and turn right onto Station Road.

(1) Take care crossing the main A386 to the pub. Alongside the pub, a track leads up the hill 500m to a gate. There are two gates. Take the left one and follow the path for 1 km. Note: the other gate will pick up the disused rail track heading northeast 1 km to meet (2). This first section time how long it takes from the gate to (2). This will give you a rough guide on your pace.

(2) Meeting the disused rail track heading northeast to where the rail track makes a sharp change in direction heading southeast.

(3) This next section is open moorland. The distance to the next check-off point (4) is about 1.5 km. Knowing your pace, continue northeast (a bearing would be best) following the contour of the hill to (4). There is a tendency when contouring a hill to creep down the hill; this only makes reaching the objective more time-consuming and requires more effort.

(4) This is a check-off point, noting the terrain. Continue north to the final part to Sourton Tor 400m in good visibility.

(5) The objective is Branscombe Loaf (south east), a small tor on the hill. The Corn Ridge Cairn to the right is more prominent. Taking a bearing to the cairn, estimate time and add for height gain. Once at the cairn, option to see Branscombe Loaf.

(6) From the cairn, the objective is Great Links Tor 2.2 km away (south west). The terrain is very wet; the river Lyd rises here. Aiming for a linear feature, turn left onto the old track after 500m south southeast.

(7)
Option 1. Return to (4) by walking northwest along the track and then return to the start of the walk in a reverse route (4-S).
Option 2. Follow the track 1.5 km to the railway cutting. Where the cutting splits, it will become obvious.

(8) Bearing southwest 500m to Great Links Tor.

(9) From the Tor, take a bearing southwest, see Brat Tor, the Tor with the cross on the top. 1.5km.

(10) From Brat Tor, take a bearing northwest, following the path around to the left before turning southwest to the footbridge across the River Lyd.

(11) Cross the footbridge, follow the track down past another Pub to the main road, again be careful when crossing. and continue down into Lydford and the start (S/E).

The paths on this route are not very visible/marked. It is strongly recommended that you follow the route using the GPX on the Visorando app.

1. Ensure that you wear suitable footwear and clothing, carry waterproofs, take snacks and plenty of water, and that you should not rely on a mobile signal; have an offline route. The best option would be to have an Ordnance Survey map (OL28) of the area, a hiking compass, and also carry a whistle.
2. Dartmoor firing range notices - check website - >>>>
3. If red flags are lying on top of the tors, do not attempt the whole walk; the walk can be shortened.
4. Consider 'Escape routes'! This route has one barrier, and that is the river, which can rise quickly in spate. Know where the bridge is, and as a guide, head WEST, from the remote parts of the moor.
5. There is a regular bus between Okehampton and Tavistock; timings to be checked and achievable to catch for the return trip.
6. Option - In the event the weather has turned or you find that there is military firing. There is still a linear walk to Okehampton or Tavistock, The Granite Way.

• Lydford Castle
• Several camp sites and a Hotel nearby
• 3 pubs nearby
• Lydford Gorge - National Trust
• The Granite Way Okehampton to Tavistock 11 miles
• The Two Castles Way - Okehampton to Launceston 24 miles
• The West Devon Way - Okehampton to Plymouth 37 miles
• The Dartmoor Way - 108 miles