SX6881 : Ruin near Birch Tor

Birch Tor

489m Elevation
37m Prominence
England Country
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SX6881 : Ruin near Birch Tor

MrC Photo source

Explore routes near Birch Tor

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Widemouth Bay to Bude Coastal and Canal

10.8 km ~3h Moderate

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Ropehaven Cliffs and Black Head

3.4 km ~1h 30m Moderate

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Langdon Hill Circular

2.2 km ~50m Easy

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Padstow to Trevone coastal circular

12.3 km ~3h 30m Moderate

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Dartmoor Way Circular

A scenic circular route starting from the Dartmoor Way trailhead, offering gentle inclines and stunning views along the way to Birch Tor.

8 km ~3.5 hours Moderate

Hound Tor to Birch Tor

A more challenging walk from the iconic Hound Tor, taking in additional tors and the rugged beauty of Dartmoor.

6.5 km ~2.5 hours Challenging
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

400-499m hill

Elevation

489m

1,604 ft

Prominence

37m

Coordinates

50.6195, -3.8579

SX686816

OS Map

191

Explorer: OL28N

At the Summit

The summit of Birch Tor features a distinctive granite outcrop and occasional scattered boulders, with a small stone cairn marking the highest point.

Terrain & Geology

Rocky and grassy with areas of heather and occasional boggy patches.

Birch Tor is primarily composed of granite, which is characteristic of the Dartmoor landscape. This igneous rock formed millions of years ago and is notable for its ruggedness. The surrounding area often showcases interesting rock formations and tors.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, hikers can enjoy panoramic views over Dartmoor, including landmarks like Hound Tor and the distant peaks of the surrounding moorland.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Birch Tor' suggests the presence of birch trees in the area, typical of Dartmoor's flora. 'Tor' refers to a rocky peak or hill.

Historical Significance

Birch Tor, like many on Dartmoor, is a site steeped in folklore, often linked to legends about ancient settlements and mysterious happenings in the moorland.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

The nearest car parking can be found at the Hound Tor car park, approximately 3 km from Birch Tor. It’s free to park and provides a good starting point.

Public Transport

While public transport options are limited, bus services to Widecombe-in-the-Moor are available, from where the tor can be accessed via footpaths.

Nearby Facilities

Basic facilities can be found in Widecombe-in-the-Moor, including tea rooms and restrooms. For full amenities, Ashburton is the nearest larger town.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Be cautious of boggy areas especially after rain, and steep rocky sections may pose a challenge. Visibility can diminish quickly in Dartmoor's notorious fog, so navigation skills are essential.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Birch Tor?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Birch Tor through the maps

Are there other walkers around Birch Tor?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Birch Tor search or of course create your own walk for Birch Tor

Can I organise a walk to Birch Tor?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Birch Tor.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Birch Tor?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Birch Tor here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: SX686816

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