タヴィストックの絶景の山頂・トップ18

Stunning view of the church

Middle Staple Tor (Dartmoor) – A Wild Camp with Stunning Views I visited Staple Tor and wild camped on Middle Staple Tor during a recent bikepacking trip through Cornwall and Dartmoor. I pushed up from the nearby car park — a handy spot to pause for a refreshment before the final ascent. In good weather, the tors look deceptively close, but Middle Staple Tor sits just over 450m, and with a fully loaded rig, I ended up pushing most of the way. That effort was well worth it. The views from the top were incredible, offering a wide sweep of the surrounding moorland. I could see the weather rolling in from a distance, which gave me just enough time to dive into the tent before the rain and low visibility hit. A classic Dartmoor moment. The descent via the old quarryman’s path is short but enjoyable, leading back to the road toward Princetown — perfect for a hot breakfast and access to town facilities. A memorable spot for wild camping and a peaceful overnight on the moor. Tips: • Bring proper gear, footwear and prepare for pushing your bike up rocky paths • Keep an eye on the weather — it changes fast up there and is generally cooler even in summer • Ideal for wild camping with amazing sunrise views if you’re lucky with the weather

Last Tor before dropping back down to the mineral trail back to Princeton

The views from both Great Links and Brat Tor are incredible. On a clear day you can see both the North Coast and South Coast as well as Bodmin Moor. The River Lyd stepping stone crossing is nice but there is still a wooden bridge crossing if you are a little unsteady on your feet.

The first impression of this simple but solidly crafted small sacred monument from 1887 is powerful and imposing. The lonely stone cross can be seen from afar thanks to its exposed location. The ancient, venerable cross is a natural part of this environment and one could almost think that it is literally growing out of the rock from which it rises to a proud height.

Kit Hill sits high above the Tamar Valley, overlooking the river and the valley it formed. The hill boasts a wide array of history, including 18 burial mounds, neolithic and bronze-age barrows, as well as pointers towards Cornwall's more contemporary mining history.

Whilst it's not quite as grand as Great Staple Tor a few hundred metres north, Middle Staple Tor is still a worthy waymark affording some magnificent views across the Dartmoor landscape.

All that Dartmoor can offer, narrow overgrown paths, open spaces, gates, a pub, remains of the railway line, quarries, stone circle and rows of stones... Simply top!