Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks, walking the Stone Rows and Stone Circles of Dartmoor
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Dartmoor Walk: Royal Hill & Foxtor Mires cists

ROUTE: Long walk. Start Plume of Feathers, Princetown. Finish Sharpitor Car Park. Distance 16km.

SITES OF INTEREST: Eylesbarrow, Drizzlecombe Complex & Yellowmead.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Transmoor Bus - First Service 82 (Summer Sundays only).

NOTE: This walk is sadly no longer possible now that there is only one bus a day. Aspects of the route maybe of use for those planning walks so we leave it here.

Princetown 4: Royal Hill & Foxtor Mires cists

Start at the Plume of Feathers Inn in Princetown. Take the bridle path just to the left of the Plume of Feathers Inn. Follow the bridlepath south eastwards passing South Hessary Tor after just over 1km. Keep straight ahead for another 2.5km to Nun's Cross. After another 1.5km the path passes Eyelsbarrow. What looks like a stone row ascends the slopes of Eylesbarrow. These stones held the pulleys that connected a waterwheel at the bottom of the hill to a flatrod system used to pump water from the tin mine. On top of Eylesbarrow are two massive cairns the barrow from which the name arises. Heading east from the northern most cairn is a prominent reave.

From Yellowmead you can shorten the walk by 5Km by heading E and returning via Deancombe. Otherwise to include Drizzlecombe head south and follow the wall as it veers east and then follow it round as it veers sharply to the south-west. The terrain can get a bit boggy here so stick close to the wall. At the car park near the Scout Hut stick to Edward's Path south for 1.5 km to Ditsworthy Warren House. Take the path to the east through the grounds of Ditsworthy Warren House and 1 km on just above the River Plym on the south-eastern slope of Higher Hartor Tor is the Drizzlecombe Ceremonial Complex. From Drizzlecombe head back to the Sharpitor Car Park via Deancombe - the most direct route involves a short trek north-west across rough but relatively dry terrain.

Page last updated 22/8/11