A walk around Bagga Tor.

It seems ages since we've been out for a walk on Dartmoor so it was not before time that we headed to Bagga Tor on the west side of the moor. A five mile circular walk in an area that, rather uncharacteristically for Dartmoor, is relatively devoid of any historical artifacts. The only evidence of human intervention is the consequence of generations of farming - dry stone walls, boundaries, fields and farms. And the cattle, of course, lots of black cattle. It was a day for just being on the moor and enjoying it for itself and the panoramic views, without the distraction of poking around mine sites and hut circles, interesting though they are.

We started and ended in the small car park at Bagga Tor, headed down the lane to Wapsworthy and then up onto the moor to climb White Tor. After that we dropped down to Langstone Moor, along the Lytch Way and back to the car park. Five miles on a relatively clear day. Very nice.

Pointing the way, there and back.

Looking to the east with Yes Tor and Ger Tor on the horizon. Tavy Cleave can just about be made out in the middle ground.

To the south was Bagga Tor, but we didn't climb this one.

Eastwards again with a nice stretch of dry stone wall in the foreground.

At the top of White Tor is evidence of modern military use - a flagpole which flies a red warning flag when the firing range is in operation. Luckily the ranges are pretty quiet during August but it's always good to check before heading off to a restricted area. It was a bit of a puff getting up here. Better get walking more often. As an aside, I wonder why it is called White Tor? It always looks rather dismal and dark. Perhaps someone was being sarcastic when it was named?

Encircling the flagpole are the remains of a double-walled Neolithic enclosure/fort. Which makes about 3000-4000 years of military use.

The Langstone on Langstone Moor. It's one of the largest standing stones (or menhirs) on the moor. It dates from the Bronze Age and is associated with a, nowadays diminutive, stone row. During WW2, those lovers of antiquity, the USA army, were stationed nearby and used the stone as a target for gunnery practice. Look closely and you can see bullet marks on the sides.

Not quite certain what these are but there were lots of them about in the short grass. I'll have to dig out my fungi identification books and see what I can find.

One last panoramic view as we head back to the car park.