GREAT STAPLE TOR: A stunning tor with lots of picture
potential. This is one of Dartmoor’s most recognisible
tors, with its stacked, steeple shape. It is a 30-minute or
so climb from the car park, and suits evening light best.
Give yourself sufficient time to explore and identify the
best viewpoints – and to catch your breath!HOLWELL TOR: Located between Haytor and Saddle
Tor is Holwell Tor, popular with photographers due to the
photogenic hawthorn tree. Leave your vehicle in the car
park between Haytor and Saddle tor, on the B3387, and
follow the path between the two tors for approximately
15 minutes. You'll be captivated by the view you reach!COMBESTONE TOR: A r g u a b l y t h e m o s t a c c e s s i b l e t o r
on Dartmoor, being just a 50m walk from the car park.
However, it boasts superb views of the Dart Valley below.
This is a fantastic choice for an easy dawn shoot or when
the weather is quickly changing and you don't want to
straytoofarfromtheshelterofyourcar.Januar y 2020 Digital SLR Photography 71
TOP TORS
North Dartmoor
Northern Dartmoor is particularly wild and
rugged. It's a rich habitat for nesting birds
and flora, but boggy in places so take care if
you step off the beaten track. Large areas of
Dartmoor are common land and open
access, but there are several military ranges
too. Therefore, to avoid disappointment,
check for firing dates before you head out
with your camera to ensure you have access
(Tel: 0800 458 4868). North Dartmoor is
home to Dartmoor’s highest tor – High
Willhays at 2037ft (621m). Nearby Yes Tor
(the second highest point on the moors, at
2031ft/619m) is also worth a visit. Both are
on the firing range, but don’t let this put you
off. The moors aren’t strewn with munitions
and on days when they are not firing,
walkers and landscape photographers are
welcomed. It is a decent walk to the summit,
but the far-reaching views make all the
huffing and puffing worthwhile.
Belstone Common is one of the most
photogenic tors in the north. Drive through
Belstone village, passing a standing stone on
your left. After several hundred metres you
will find a small parking area opposite a South
West Water building. From here, go through
the gate and climb up on to the common that
connects a series of rocky outcrops, boasting
fantastic views in every direction. Belstone
Tor itself is approximately one mile from
where you park and offers a great mixture of
larger stacks and granite clitter. There's no
shortage of foreground interest and – like all
tors – low, golden sunlight will bring the
landscape alive. Wide-angle viewpoints work
well, but also carry a telezoom to photograph
the distant patchwork countryside, or any
wild ponies that might wander into view.
Walk further to discover a tumbling stonewall,
called Irishman’s Wall, which stretches over
the moor and provides a nice lead-in line.You will notice close by a very obvious
outcrop, known locally as Rabbit Rock. The
outcrop can photograph well when included
in a composition with Irishman’s Wall in the
foreground. However, there is no shortage of
viewpoints up here and this is a tor worthwhile
of multiple visits throughout different
seasons. Dartmoor is littered with ancient
remains and nearby you will discover the Nine
Maidens – a small megalithic cairn circle.
Within north Dartmoor is Okehampton,
home to what was once the biggest castle in
Devon but now just an attractive ruin. The
town is regarded as the hub for walkers –
from here, you can join the Two Castles Trail
or the West Devon Way to Plymouth. The
village of Lydford is home to a steep side
gorge – the deepest river gorge in the South
West in fact – and the 30m high Whitelady
waterfall. Lydford Gorge is National Trust
property and worth visiting. In spring, the
woods are alive with wild flowers, carpeting