Oke Tor & Cosdon Beacon loop from Belstone — Dartmoor National Park

Hiking trails & Routes

Oke Tor & Cosdon Beacon loop from Belstone — Dartmoor National Park

Hard

4.8

(16)

hikers

Oke Tor & Cosdon Beacon loop from Belstone — Dartmoor National Park

05:15

18.1km

470m

Hiking

This difficult 11.2-mile (18.1 km) loop from Belstone takes you across Dartmoor's rugged north moor, offering panoramic views and a challenging hike. You will gain 1543 feet (470 metres) in elevation over approximately 5 hours and 14 minutes, traversing diverse terrain. Expect wide grass tracks, paths created by walkers, and steep, rutted sections, along with clitter-strewn slopes. The route bags several prominent granite tors, including Oke Tor and Cosdon Beacon, providing a classic Dartmoor experience. From various vantage points, you can admire the highest points in southern England, Yes Tor and High Willhays.

This difficult hike requires very good fitness and crucial navigation skills, especially if visibility is poor. You should carry a 1:25,000 OS map for the route. The starting point, Belstone, is a pretty moorland village with a pub, making it a convenient base for your adventure. While the trail is generally considered challenging, it is highly rated for its exceptional views and the sense of achievement it offers. Plan for a full day to complete the loop, allowing for breaks and enjoying the expansive moorland.

Beyond the natural beauty of Dartmoor's granite tors and river cleaves, this loop offers a rich historical context. Part of the route utilizes a section of the well-known Tarka Trail, adding to its appeal. As you hike, you may encounter ancient monuments, including a stone circle and the intriguing Irishman's Wall. The trail provides an immersive experience of Dartmoor's rugged high moorland, making it notable for those seeking a deep connection with the area's wild landscape.

Last updated: April 23, 2026

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1.40 km

Tors End

Highlight • Natural Monument

A charming start to the extensive collection of tors on the Belstone Ridge, Tors End is a long thin band of exposed granite, stretching up the north-western edge of Belstone Common, with an extensive clitter field on the western side. In 'High Dartmoor' Hemery mentions the outcrop but appears to incorrectly place it at the northern edge of the higher ground, at what we call 'Belstone Common Tor'; "...the land falls sharply to a fine satellite pile; smaller, but fiercely characteristic, its bold cone dominates the declining northward crest and is aptly known as Tors End (approx. 1,500 feet)." Also, there is, according to Hemery, a small quarry at the north end known as 'Sand Pit'. As Tors End was the easiest tor to get to and being located closest to the village it seems to have been a target for quarrying. A quarter segment of an abandoned apple crusher can be found on the east side of the main outcrop.

There are also abandoned millstones and troughs on the slopes all around the Belstone Tors area. Tim Jenkinson (2001/2) writes; "The quarry at Sand Pit is symbolic of the interest in Belstone's granite and most probably reflects the execution of Venville Rights, a privilege bestowed upon the inhabitants of Dartmoor in return of the payment of rent to the Duchy." Venville Rights allow local people "to remove anything from the Forest that may be for their own use and good"; they date back to 1609 during the reign of James I when it was decreed that the "digging and removal of moorstone is to be used only for the mending of houses and land."

Just over 100 years ago Dora James (1911) depicts an interesting scene at the village of Belstone; she bemoans; "There are now at least two granite working yards in the village, although the owners have I believe to pay an annual fee to the Duchy for the removal of stone in such large quantities, which, if for their good, can scarcely be considered for their 'own use'." At that time Belstone was a hive of industry and rocks that were being plundered from the tors, and some stones were worked upon in situ and presumably cast aside if imperfect - that's why we find so many abandoned artefacts up there. Dora was very unhappy about the whole situation as she calls the working places an "eyesore" and felt that the process of "digging out and cutting up the glorious piles" of Belstone Tors "are infinitely to be regretted." She refers to the stones as "grey memorials". It is more commonly accepted by the locals that this, the lower outcrop, is the actual location.

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2.06 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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2.31 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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2.51 km

Rock Tor

Highlight • Natural Monument

This is the distinctive yet small tor 150 metres to the south of Higher Tor on the Belstone Ridge. It is a heavily fissured outcrop with conspicuous, marked horizontal jointings that are so different from the nearby granite on high, and is in respect considered a separate tor in its own right.

Eric Hemery (1983) describes the tor but, surprisingly, fails to give it a name, when describing the route from the Belstone parish boundstones to Higher Tor; "This picture also shows a rock outcrop on the rising ridge beyond the stones; equidistant from stones and distant tor, the rock consists of a cohesive mass of medium-grained granite with a pronounced canopy."

Indeed, the small overhang is quite prominent especially from the east side where it provides a little shelter from prevailing winds coming from the north and west. The somewhat diminutive stature of the outcrop here in comparison to its neighbours has possibly leant it the name of 'Rock Tor', a name that appears on a map published

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4.12 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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6.89 km

Steeperton Tor

Highlight • Summit

Steeperton Tor is often passed over as it doesn't have the rocky outcrops which make Dartmoor tors such landmarks. Don't dismiss these tors as they still offer beautiful vistas and are often much quieter than their rocky counterparts.

Steeperton Tor is a popular wild camping spot and it's easy to see why. The tor cuts away to both the east and the west, to Steeperton Gorge, so there are fantastic sunrises and sunsets up here.

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8.13 km

Wild Tor

Highlight • Natural Monument

As with most of the Tors in Dartmoor, this Tor has some unique granite features. It is a bit off the beaten track but is worth a visit.

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9.58 km

Hound Tor

Highlight • Natural Monument

Weird spot in Dartmoor’s legend-thick south. Atmosphere you can chew.

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12.2 km

Cosdon Beacon

Highlight • Historical Site

Sometimes called Cawsand Beacon or Cosdon Hill, Cosdon Beacon was once thought to be the highest peak on Dartmoor. Willhayes has since taken the crown but that doesn't take away the immenseness of this spot.

Bronze Age settlements have been found on the west of the hill and evidence of neolithic tools. It is peppered with cairns and kistvaens which shine a light on the historic importance of the site.

On a clear day both the English and Bristol Channels can be see from high up here.

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16.8 km

Belstone Cleave Bridge over the River Taw

Highlight • River

This pretty bridge spans the River Taw between Belstone and Sticklepath. Surrounded by vibrant woodland in Belstone Cleave, it links two trails, one on either side of the river. Both the Tarka Trail and the Land's End Trail pass by.

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