Hidden away in the trees on the south side of the River Taw in Skaigh Wood at the far eastern edge of Belstone Cleave is a fine crag of non granite rock. Marked as Middle Down on mid 19th Century Tithe Maps the dark brooding outcrops here are pretty impressive but are obscured by annoying vegetation and overhanging branches.
The largest outcrop which is of no great height actually extends downhill for some 200 metres or so. Notoriously difficult to access, the route from below is fraught with hazards, steep slopes and sometimes unstable ground hampers the approach.
From above which could be considered the preferred route, the descent is still problematic, a well used footpath passes some 50 metres above the main rocks and provides a good place to start but be warned the hillside is precipitous and not for the faint hearted.
Middle Down 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 6390 9394
Height:
180m
Parish:
South Tawton
Tor Classification:
Valley Side
Access:
Private (but accessible)
Rock Type:
Metamorphic
Credit:
Tim Jenkinson Paul Buck
Reference / Further Reading:
Tors of Dartmoor
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