Meldon Reservoir and Black-a-Tor Copse

From the car park above Meldon Reservoir the walk crosses the dam and follows the shore path to the head of the reservoir. A path runs up the West Okement valley to Black-a-Tor Copse, one of Dartmoor's high-level oak woods and a National Nature Reserve. The walk then climbs to Black Tor, with views across the northern moor, and comes back over Longstone Hill to the dam.

It is 7.8 km with 283 m of ascent; allow about 2½ hours. The grade is Easy. The valley path is very rough in places, and the climb to Black Tor is steep.

Black Tor and the upper valley lie at the edge of the Okehampton firing range. On firing days red flags fly on the high ground and the range is closed: stay outside the red-and-white posts and check the published firing times. The ground is boggy after rain and very exposed. Do not climb on the boulders in the copse. South West Lakes Trust asks for dogs on leads and out of the water.

The car park charges a fee and has toilets. The nearest station is Okehampton, about 4 km away.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.