TORS OF DARTMOOR

a database of both lesser- & well-known rocks and outcrops

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Little Combestone Tor

When travelling east along the road between Hexworthy and Saddle Bridge, you may notice, when looking across the hillside below Combestone Tor, an outcrop perched on the valley side halfway up the slope from the West Dart River. This is just part of a sprawling collection of granite boulders that reach down to the river.

The largest pile is also the highest, a modest area of bedrock topped with a huge boulder on the south end of at least one and a half metres in height that provides a good point from which you can observe the course of the West Dart River making its final mark before reaching the East Dart River at its confluence at Dartmeet. This, the most impressive part of Little Combestone Tor, has cast a clitter that culminates in moss and bracken-covered boulders extending through the trees. The rocks are noted for their proliferation of feldspar crystals that pierce the granite, their shiny white colour creating stark reflection in bright conditions.

The area is actually not as easy to access as one might first perceive. The east side, the track leading to Combestone Farm above, is totally choked in bracken and gorse and makes for difficult, painful walking where the main outcrop cannot be espied until you are standing on it. Approaching from the south side is therefore recommended, where a path enters this part of the moor from a field system with gateways to enable access from the road. It is an outcrop first properly documented in May 2018 by Tim Jenkinson, and due to its position well below its much more famous and visited neighbour is afforded the lesser title.

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Little Combestone Tor
The map above is not a navigation tool and we recommend that the grid reference shown below is used in conjunction with an Ordnance Survey map and that training in its use with a compass is advised.
Grid Ref:
SX 6667 7246
Height:
290m
Parish:
Holne
Tor Classification:
Small
Access:
Public
Rock Type:
Granite
Credit:
Tim Jenkinson
Reference / Further Reading:

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