Walking From Two Bridges to Beardown Man via Wistman's Wood and Crow Tor

Parking is at the small quarry car park opposite the Two Bridges hotel, then through the gate and follow the sign to Wistman's Wood.

Follow the graveled road for about 600m...

...that ends at an isolated house. The footpath continues to the left of the trees, the way clearly marked.

The footpath soon emerges onto the high moor, passing groves of fragrant gorse, with the West Dart river meandering to the left. The first of the three stands of oak that comprise Wistman's Wood is about a 1km distant overlooked by the tors of Longaford and Littaford.

Wistman's Wood, one of the relics of prehistoric Dartmoor. The trees growing here today are around 400-500 years-old but the wood itself probably dates to c.7000 BC.

The trees grow within an almost impenetrable field of moss-covered boulders that have certainly helped protect them from people and other animals. According to local legend, Wistman's Wood functioned as the kennel for the Devil's hell-hounds.

The most northerly section of Wistman's Wood with Crow Tor visible on the horizon right of centre. The wood extends for around 700m along the eastern bank of the West Dart river. It is also the site of several Bronze Age settlements and the remains of numerous hut circles.

About 500m beyond the last stand of oaks is the headweir for the West Dart branch of the Devonport Leat, shown here looking south, Wistman's Wood visible in the distance. The masonry dates to the leat's construction in the 1790s. The leat itself is behind the sluice gate to the right. 

The Devonport Leat, right, as seen from the headweir.  The tors of Littaford and Longaford are on the left.

Crow Tor, shown on the horizon to the right, is about 900m from the headweir on the other side of the Longaford newtake stone wall.

To reach the tor involves crossing the West Dart river at a suitable point. Fortunately the river is strewn with large boulders making it relatively easy to ford unless it's in full spate. Using one of the stiles set in the Longaford newtake wall, a short ascent brings the walker to the compact mass of Crow Tor.

Fine views from Crow Tor south towards the West Dart valley and Two Bridges.

Crow Tor, looking south.

Devil's Tor, just visible on the horizon to the right of the ranging pole, lies within the Merrivale Firing Range. Firing times are available online. 

Devil's Tor is about 1.2km from Crow's Tor. The walk involves crossing a shallow valley down which runs the Methern Brook. The remains of former tin-works are in the area...

...but the terrain is tussocky and wet. 

A short climb leads to Devil's Tor, one of the smallest tors on the moor.

And just to the north of Devil's Tor is the great Bronze Age menhir of Beardown Man c.1750 BC. It stands almost alone on the edge of the great peat bog that covers so much of the northern moor.

Beardown Man from Devil's Tor, looking east, with Great Mis Tor in the distance.