Fur Tor. August 2015

PLEASE NOTE: The GPX trace on this route is for use as a guide only, its accuracy may change depending on the scale of map you are using. Use in combination with judgement and a paper map. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk. Trail magazine, Copyright Bauer Media Limited.

Let’s start with the name, which has nothing to do with furry animals. More likely, it’s the local dialect vur from the Saxon word far; or even from the Celtic fawr (great). And Fur Tor is certainly both of those things: far away in the heart of the moor, the hill rises steeply on the north and west sides, its top crowned with several rock piles, while more broken rock lies scattered on the slopes. Here there’s a true sense of wilderness – no sights or sounds to distract, just a panorama of moorland and distant tors, the home of raven and buzzard. With no obvious paths to help, getting here feels like an achievement. But as well as the goal, the route itself can be enjoyed – starting with a brisk climb up to Brat Tor, views of Great Links Tor and Bleak House, and then (given good visibility) a sighting of Fur Tor itself. The return route is via the spectacular river gorge of Tavy Cleave. The tallest outcrop of Fur  Tor makes an enticing scramble; wild ponies often graze below the boulders; and on a sunny day there are few more peaceful spots from which to gaze into infinity. 


Distance 19km (11¾ miles)

Total ascent 505m

Time 6½ hours

Start/Finish Dartmoor Inn moorgate – car park at end of track (SX525853)

Nearest town Okehampton

Terrain all open moorland, mainly pathless; rough and boggy in places; rocky path through Tavy Cleave; Amicombe and Rattle Brook crossings difficult after heavy rain.

Accommodation B&B, campsite, camping barn at Fox & Hounds  Hotel (01822) 820206; Dartmoor Inn on A386 (01822) 820221; YHA Okehampton 0800 0191 700 

Public transport bus no. 46 Okehampton – Plymouth stops at Dartmoor Inn: www.journeydevon.co.uk

Tourist info DNP Visitor Centre (01822) 890414 
Safety note Route crosses Okehampton and Willsworthy military ranges: check firing programme on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dartmoor-firing-programme; red flags are flown on firing days.


SX525853 From the top left corner of the car park follow the track north-east. Cross the River Lyd (stepping stones and bridge) and take a path that climbs to Brat Tor. From the tor go north-east, skirt left round old tin workings to join a sunken track going east. After a boundary stone the track climbs a bit then bears north-east. Below Lower Dunna Goat Tor, with ruined Bleak House upstream, fork right down to the Rattle Brook. Cross on the clapper bridge and take the path up to Green Tor.

SX562864 From here the route runs east-south-east for about 1.75km to the head of Amicombe Brook. There are no paths across Amicombe Hill, but the going becomes easier on the east side. If it’s clear, Fur Tor will be visible south of the line of travel, but don’t make straight for it (boggy ground). Aim to cross the Amicombe near its head by a cluster of rocks on the far side. (If it’s too wet here go left a little to the watershed.)

SX578856 Turn south on a small path on the slope above the stream. It becomes indistinct as it diverges from the stream; whether you’re on it or not, aim to go south-south-east towards Fur Tor, with the lower hill of Little Kneeset in front left. At Black Ridge Brook the ground becomes firmer; cross and contour round the base of Little Kneeset. Continue until you’re directly below Fur Tor, then make for the stream (Cut Combe Water). There’s a ford near some boulders, but go upstream a little to cross on rocks. Now it’s a direct ascent to the top of Fur Tor.

SX588831 Descend the west slope of Fur Tor, then head slightly north of west over rough ground for 1km to Sandy Ford where the Amicombe Brook joins the River Tavy (Hare Tor in line beyond). It’s usually shallow enough to wade across the Amicombe (on the right), but can be slippery (trekking poles useful). Now follow the Tavy down until you approach range marker posts, then bear west-north-west uphill (towards Hare Tor) and contour along the top edge of the rocky slope called Watern Oke (the remains of hut circles are part of a Bronze Age settlement). When you see two army huts ahead descend left to the confluence of the Rattle Brook with the Tavy.

SX561838 Just upstream the brook can be crossed on rocks. Return to the Tavy; the route now follows it downstream through Tavy Cleave, the path scrambling over rocks, then hugging the river below Tavy Cleave Tors. Round a sharp corner, Ger Tor comes into view. Reaching a small building, descend to the headweir of the leat (water channel). Cross to its left bank and take the path alongside it. When it turns north-west stay on it for nearly 1.5km, passing two large gates and a bridge. Approaching a stream valley, with the army range ahead, go through a small gate, cross the leat on a concrete bridge and go half-right to a gate in a wall. Follow the track left to cross a stream.
SX537834 Leave the track and head north-north-east near the stream. As the ground levels cross three tracks and descend north to the Walla Brook. With Doe Tor ahead right, turn left towards trees and go through a gate. Turn right through a gateway, then half-left through fields to reach a gate. Through this cross a bridge and follow the track, then fork left and make for the River Lyd. Go upstream to cross it below a tall rock with a plaque, then climb up the bank to a path running west back to the car park.