Dartmoor: Yes Tor and High Willhays from Okehampton
Devon
Yes Tor and High Willhays are the highest points in southern England, the rocky northern crown of Dartmoor that catches every weather front to roll in off the Atlantic. This circular climbs them from Meldon Reservoir, taking in big skies, bog cotton and the famous granite tors, and it is a dog friendly walk for fit dogs comfortable with long open ground and a serious bit of climbing.
The whole route sits inside the Okehampton Military Range, so you must check the live firing schedule before setting out and adhere to any closure or red flag signage. Sheep and Dartmoor ponies graze the moor year round, and on access land dogs must be on a short fixed lead of no more than 2 metres between 1 March and 31 July. Underfoot is rocky tor, exposed ridge and tussocky moor with no shelter, so this is a good weather day out, and the Meldon Reservoir car park is the only parking option on this side of the moor.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 12.0 km (7.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 3 hr 50 min
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Peak
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on the moor; cafes and pubs in Okehampton a short drive away.
- Parking
- Pay and display at Meldon Reservoir car park, accessed via the B3260 from the A30.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Dartmoor: Yes Tor and High Willhays from Okehampton, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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What’s Nearby?
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A Dartmoor reservoir and forest circuit with stone rows and Bronze Age monuments nearby, good in most weather conditions.
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One of Dartmoor's finest riverside walks, almost entirely shaded by ancient woodland and with excellent water access for dogs throughout.
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Outstanding scenery and excellent river access, but dogs must be kept on leads throughout the Castle Drogo estate and wherever livestock are grazing along the route.