Dartmoor Photowalk 19 Lower White Tor & Wistman's

Dartmoor Photowalk 19 Lower White Tor & Wistman's

This week the weather was going to be a challenge, whilst it was fine and dry for most of the day rain was forecast for early afternoon so I packed waterproofs and set off earlier than normal hoping to beat the rain….. I had set my sights on Lower White Tor, the most central Tor in the Forrest it would be about 6 ½ miles round trip and weather/time permitting I intended to go into Wistman’s Wood. (Spoiler alert! I made it to Wistman's Wood).

Lower White Tor.




Wistman’s Wood.




I parked opposite the 2 Bridges Hotel and set off down the track that leads to Wistman’s Wood, I love this cottage at the end of the Newtake.




Once past the cottage I turned up towards Littaford Tors, I could see Longaford Tor in the distance with Wistman’s Wood below them.




There is a well used track that leads up to Littaford Tors and the view over to Merrivale Ranges is quite spectacular (see the flag (left of shot) on Beardown Tors indicating the rang is in use), in the far distance is Crow Tor then Rough Tor.




At the top of the track there is a convenient Stile just before Littaford Tors.




Once over the Stile I could see the expanse of Littaford Tors and its many rocky outcrops, looking back I could see the track I had followed and on through the centre, the track that links Littaford Tors to Crockern Tor.




Looking onwards I could see the remainder of the rocky outcrops and that range flag (left of shot).




Once over the crest of these rocks I could see Longaford Tor and Higher White Tor in the distance.




As I went further North I could see the clouds building, it wasn’t even 10 o’clock yet, I was glad I packed my waterproofs.




Longaford Tor is a bit unusual as it has lots of vegetation cover unlike the more usual stark rocks. The weather looked decidedly better to the South.




From a distance I thought it looked like a sleeping Dinosaur.




However my path lay to the North Higher White Tor and that cloud.




The wind was also building, these Ponies on the South slope of the Tor were toughing it out though, hardy animals those Dartmoor Ponies.




Once on top of Higher White Tor I could see Lower White Tor not too far away and another convenient Stile to get over the wall.




Over the Stile and onwards got me another view of Lower White Tor hiding in the centre of this wide angle shot.




There is a track although it is a wet/boggy track that leads all the way to the Tor.




I finally got up close and personal with Lower White Tor, just after 11 o’clock.




Lower White Tor is a small Tor by any standard, it wasn’t long before I was on my way back towards Higher White Tor then Longaford Tor. On the way back I looked over to the East and not sure why I was surprised but I could see that skyline from Haytor Rocks along to Rippon Tor in the distance. I seem to see this now on most trips to the high moor, perhaps more because I now recognise it.




I made my way back to Longaford Tor, I found shelter from the wind under this large outcrop that I thought looked like the head of a great sentinel looking over his ground. I decided to have my lunch here.




Whilst I sat having lunch with this view of Beardown Tors with Lydford Tor in the distance,




I wondered if the weather would hold long enough for me to get into Wistman’s Wood, I set off for Littaford Tors where I would make my decision, I had plenty of time but it was the incoming rain that may be a deal breaker, by now the sky was grey in every direction.




I decided to risk it and turned West down to the wood.




I have been to Wistman’s Wood several times but until now I had not been inside just shot from the edge, I figured if it was going to rain, inside was my best option so I found my way in (not easy, much rock hopping required).




As I got deeper into the wood I remembered a news story from last year (or maybe the year before) about vandalisation of the moss on the rocks by some selfish yobbos who thought it was ok to strip off the moss to make patterns then use the moss on their fires. All I can say is they ought to be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

I found the vandalism in question.

I just can’t understand the mentality of someone who would come out to an ancient woodland to presumably enjoy it then proceed to deface it….




More of the vandalism.




I decided to head back to the car, intent on returning to this wood again for a specific shoot on medium format, maybe even on film (watch this space). As I broke out of the wood and started down the track I could see that weather heading my way.




It didn’t look any better back the way I had come either.




The rain was just starting as I got to the car so I packed away quickly and set off home. On the way home the rain came down double speed wipers were required so once again I had been lucky out and back dry.

That’s all for this week folks, as always, comments welcome.

Tags: Photo essay Landscape and travel Wistman's Wood Dartmoor Photowalk Lower White Tor