Monday 18 October 2010

Steps Bridge to Hel Tor Sunday 17th October 2010

A lovely sunny morning to go for a walk!  The car park at Steps Bridge was nearly full by the time we got there at 10.30am.  It was quite cold to start here.

Dave consults the book - Walks for Motorists Dartmoor Circular Walks by Brian Le Messurier walk 8.  3 1/2 miles (5.5km)




Heading off in the right direction across the road, and up a very steep hill!! we crossed a small stream



negotiating stiles
through a farm yard
we then caught sight of Hel Tor




Then walking on a small road, around a field, we come to a stile and footpath up the the Tor





On a clear day, you can see for miles and miles

and here is a view from between the rock


with Dave, Rich and Bob peering over the top!






then back down, up the road, past a chestnut tree, at Plaston Green


along the road, and over another stile towards Middle Heltor

Can Bob fit through???

The walk now begins the descent across fields and we spy some strange animals???

What funny horses ??!!!



The beautiful avenue of trees has camouflaged another animal.  can you see it???

this lane leads down beside a farm 


down the private road a little way, and the footpath resumes, past some horses 

 
and back through the National Trust Wood



 Quite a steep path down to the road and the car park.

Now the best bit - lunch in a pub recommended by the Good Pub Guide  The Royal Oak, at Dunsford

 Cider soaked bread with rarebit was delicious, in the pub garden, surrounded by plants, budgies, and cats.  Well, not for long, with Bob around!!


Everybody concentrating on their food - even the dog, he's got his eye on a cat!