Yes Tor summit – High Willhays summit loop from Okehampton

Running trails & routes

Yes Tor summit – High Willhays summit loop from Okehampton

Hard

runners

Yes Tor summit – High Willhays summit loop from Okehampton

02:54

23.6km

600m

Running

Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly runnable paths. Some sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Dartmoor National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

3.70 km

Rowtor

Peak

5.72 km

Ground Nesting Bird Conservation Area

Nature Reserve

6.78 km

Yes Tor summit

Highlight • Summit

The second highest point in Dartmoor National Park offers stunning vistas of North Devon and Cornwall. Note: it is close to a military range, so check for firing times before your visit (dartmoor-ranges.co.uk/firing_notice_1.html). Always start out well equipped on tours through Dartmoor!

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7.79 km

High Willhays

Highlight • Viewpoint

Great climb to some of the best views in the area. Well worth the walk up.

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7.79 km

High Willhays summit

Highlight • Natural Monument

The highest point on Dartmoor and the highest summit south of the Brecon Beacons. Very accessible and an easy hike for most people to do. The best thing is the wonderful views, especially on a sky blue spring day like today. Love raw and rugged Dartmoor!❤️

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15.3 km

Oke Tor

Highlight • Viewpoint

From the top of the rocks there are 360 degree views atop Oke Tor.

Look west to the summits of Yes Tor and Willhayes, the two tallest peaks on Dartmoor.

Oke Tor sits within the Dartmoor Military Range. It is sometimes shut for military exercises so please check the website before you travel to ensure access is open.
gov.uk/government/publications/dartmoor-firing-programme

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17.1 km

Higher Tor

Highlight • Summit

This majestic tor sits a short distance below the castellated peaks of Belstone Tor but retains its own character and is very distinct. Its huge granite mass, which from certain angles is block-like, is on the southern side of Belstone Common. The tor is a truly epic rock formation in its own right that is noted for its striking jointings, looking a little like tightly packed cubes that are accentuated by patches of moor grass. Indeed, Hemery (1983) describes it as a "splendid ruin of Nature" that "has a massive east face - resembling cyclopean masonry - and a huge break-away on both south and west sides." Collingwood (2017) later remarks that "Its bulk and pattern of jointing make it unforgettable."

Higher Tor affords terrific views in all directions, even to the north where the fine southern outcrop of Belstone Tor stands in stark contrast as a smooth-faced pile. To the south, Oke Tor sits on the elongated ridgeline that extends towards Knack, but it is perhaps the grand Steeperton Hill, that is topped by Steeperton Tor, that is the most conspicuous landmark towering high above Taw Marsh.

Whilst modern Ordnance Survey Maps place Higher Tor south of the ridge summit where Belstone Tor resides, that was not always the case. The survey of Devon, by Lieutenant Colonel William Mudge, in 1809, named the summit 'Higher Tor' as one might expect and placed Belstone where Higher is now. Whilst it makes sense that the highest point on the ridge would be named 'Higher Tor', later surveys were amended and this is now the accepted location. This alteration juxtaposes the widely accurate survey of Mudge and the reason for the movement of the two names remains to be seen. It is an anomaly that rarely, if ever, receives attention.

The entire moorscape, capped by tremendous rockpiles as far as the eye can see, is well worth a visit, and the visitor will not be left disappointed by what he finds here, as it is one of the most captivating pieces of scenery on Dartmoor.

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17.5 km

Belstone Tor

Highlight • Natural Monument

Belstone Tor is the highest point amongst a collection of tors in the area. From the peak, you will be afforded some of the finest views the National Park has to offer.

The view overlooks the picturesque village of Belstone and stretches north across almost all the tors of Dartmoor. It even reaches the Devon coast on a clear day!

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18.6 km

Nine Maidens Stone Circle

Highlight • Historical Site

One of the legend says that the Nine Maidens are or were a group of maidens who danced on a Sunday and were immediately turned to stone. For their punishment they were compelled to dance every day at noon for the rest of eternity and it is said that to this day they can be seen rhythmically moving at midday. It is also suggested that the sound of the Belstone church bells will also bring them to life.

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21.3 km

East Okement River Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

This path winds through exquisite woodlands alongside the East Okement River and has a magical feel about it. Walking along this trail, you’ll see a wonderful waterfall, old oak trees and plenty of mossy rocks.

This trail is particularly glorious in late spring and throughout the summer thanks to its vivid greens and multitude of flowers and birds. You can walk it at any time of year, but wear sturdy boots during winter as the trail can get muddy and rough after wet weather.

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