Meldon Reservoir and Black Tor Walk (Dartmoor)

Meldon Reservoir and Black A Tor Walk (Dartmoor) 5 Miles

Dartmoor beckoned my father and I so on the 15^th April we decided to explore the Northern tip of Dartmoor and so made our way to Meldon Reservoir.  This was our first excursion to Dartmoor so had no expectations of what this area was like. The route was a cross between easy tracks, moorland, bog and ancient woodland with one steep climb in the middle up to Black a Tor.

Our route began at the car park situated by Meldon Reservoir.



The Route.

Before we got to the reservoir we took the track on the right which took us around and through the North side of Meldon Reservoir, the many gorse bushes were flowering at the time which gave a beautiful backdrop to the lake and the smell was intoxicating, a quite pungent coconut smell crossed between suntan lotion giving a real holiday feeling and reminding me to put some suntan lotion on as we again chose another glorious day for walking, sunshine and a light breeze.

As we dropped down to the path overlooking the reservoir and dodging the cows we caught a glimpse of the gateway to Dartmoor and West Okement River valley catchment.



West Okement River meets Meldon Reservoir



This was a lovely view and showing that spring was now in fill motion with the trees fledging their lush green virgin leaves and the birds busying themselves hunting for food for their young ones. We followed the path to another main track which leads down to the river and the old bridge that spanned this bubbling brook.

                                               

Here we met this first people of the journey, all eager to know where the path we had been on lead to. From this point we decided to stick closely to the river rather than take the main path, always looking out for an elusive trout basking in the sun, which so far has eluded us on our walks. What we did find were hundreds of tadpole in all the puddles and still parts of the river.



The Lone Tadpole

From here we ambled up to Vellake Corner, a man made tiny lake and weir, look like an old fishery once upon a time but probably still useable. It had a very unusual weir whether this was a fish friendly one or not I am not sure.

Beyond the lake the river, at the base of Shelstone Tor, became a sequence of pool, riffle sequences and as it dropped down the little woody area in its own tiny gorge the area was just mated with thick lichens and ferns, its own tropical niche in the middle of a vast moor. This was a great place to stop for a break and a bite to eat.

West Oakment River

The Mini Moss Carpeted Gorge.

As we were down in the mini gorge we had to clamber up its steep sides, as the path we were following disappeared, to meet the main path heading into the immense expanse of Dartmoor. This path too disintegrated and we had to pick are way through the marshes and bogs with Black Tor and its inviting view points to the left



Black Tor.



and on the right, Corn Ridge and the slipper stones.

Here we watched around 5 Buzzards circling and hunting in the thermals above Corn Ridge, unfortunately they were scared off by one of those motorised parachute gizmos disturbing them and the peace and tranquillity of the area.

From here we headed to Black A Tor Copse still following the upstream course of the West Okement River. You will definitely need water proof boots on this section as you (at this time of year) have to pick your way around various bogs and mud, the granite rocks are also very slippy and covered in lichen as I found out nearly doing the splits down one of them, a sight my father just laughed at me as my other foot slid about a foot down into the mud.

Black a Tor Copse was an amazing, enchanting place, and has an air of great mystery to it. It is an ancient upland Oak woodland and is now a national Nature Reserve (NNR) and is a very important site for lichens, when you are there you can see why as everything is carpeted with them. There are at least 25 trees covered with a species called Bryoria smithii which is the only major site like this in the British Isle and there is another species called Parmelia disscordans which is the only place South of Scotland that it exists. There are a further 44 species of mosses and liverworts  and 133 species of lichen here too making this a very important ecological site probable due to the amazing clean unpolluted air of the area.



On The Edge of Black A Tor Copse.



Aside form the importance of this site, it gives you a sense of shelter and wonder and a kind of oasis in what is a very bleak, exposed area and a place where you can imagine strange creatures come out at night from the lichen layered rocks.

The Haunting Black A Tor Copse.

We then headed back to the edge of the copse and then headed upwards towards Black Tor. The path heading up is very indistinct but you can not get lost as there is nothing but a hill in-between you and the Black Tor, steep enough to get you breathless but not too steep to really tire you out. There were some magnificent views at the top of the Tor in every direction and was lucky enough to have this to ourselves.

Top of Black Tor



The Gaurdian of the Tor



Looking North East from the Tor



View of Corn Ridge



We then headed North East and took the path back to Meldon Reservoir. The path was on a long shallow decline which made walking easy especially with the spongy moss under our feet which was a pleasure to walk on. The path lead us past many wet boggy areas and past a heard of Dartmoor ponies feeding on the lush grasses the previous weeks rain had fed.



Path Leading Across the Moors Back to Meldon Reservoir.



Weather still holding we caught site of Meldon Reservoir and noticed that we missed the turning for the path leading down to it and therefore had no choice but drop down the steep side of the hill above the reservoir parallel to the dam itself. This was worth it due to the commanding views that greeted us of the reservoir itself.



The Dam at Meldon Reservoir



Meldon Reservoir



In 1963 Meldon Dam was started and then completed in 1972, it holds 3.75 million cubic meters of water being 1320m long and an impressive 44.4m deep. It would be an impressive thing to watch at times of flooding as the spillway drops down 44 meters causing an amazing cascade to the bottom. It is a shame they had to flood a very picturesque valley but is an important source of water for the South West Water’s mains.

Here we had to cross the dam and head back up to the car park to rest our weary legs.

This was a beautiful walk and a great introduction to Dartmoor encompassing, farmland, river valleys, bogs, ancient forest and moorland environments which gave very varied and interesting trails to follow. Most people could to this walk but be prepared for the weather as it can turn in an instance here and insecure you have waterproof boots. I think I would rate this walk 4 out of 5, a stunning walk but not too taxing.

I would like to thank my father for his excellent company and my mother who had a delicious dinner waiting for us when we got back.