SX6391 : Cosdon Hill cairn

Cosdon Hill [South Tawton Common]

550m Elevation
80m Prominence
England Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

SX6391 : Cosdon Hill cairn

Guy Wareham Photo source

Explore routes near Cosdon Hill [South Tawton Common]

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

View route

Padstow to Trevone coastal circular

12.3 km ~3h 30m Moderate

View route

Ropehaven Cliffs and Black Head

3.4 km ~1h 30m Moderate

View route

Langdon Hill Circular

2.2 km ~50m Easy

View route

Route planning notes

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

South Tawton Common Circular

A scenic circular route starting at South Tawton with a mixture of track and open moorland.

8 km ~2.5 hours Moderate

Cosdon Hill from Fingle Bridge

A more challenging route taking you from Fingle Bridge through varied landscapes, including wooded areas and open moor.

12 km ~4 hours Challenging
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Dodd Dewey

Elevation

550m

1,806 ft

Prominence

80m

Coordinates

50.7071, -3.9329

SX636915

OS Map

191

Explorer: OL28N 113

At the Summit

The summit features a prominent cairn and a trig point, ideal for those wanting to snap a triumphant selfie.

Terrain & Geology

Predominantly moorland with areas of grass some rocky outcrops and the occasional boggy patch so mind your step!

Cosdon Hill is primarily composed of granite, characteristic of the Dartmoor area. This resilient rock formed over 280 million years ago and contributes to the rugged, unique terrain of the region.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, you can enjoy sweeping views of Dartmoor's rolling hills, with landmarks such as Yes Tor and High Willhays in the distance.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Cosdon' is thought to derive from the old English words meaning 'Cows' Hill', reflecting the pastoral heritage of the area.

Historical Significance

Cosdon Hill has been a notable landmark for centuries, linking the local culture with historical walking routes and settlements.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

There is parking available at South Tawton Common, which is a few minutes' walk from the trailhead.

Public Transport

The nearest public transport is available from Exeter, with buses operating to South Tawton.

Nearby Facilities

Nearby facilities include The South Tawton Inn, where you can grab a bite to eat or quench your thirst after an invigorating hike.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Potential for sudden weather changes, low visibility in foggy conditions, and tricky, uneven ground leading to slips and trips.

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 Cosdon Hill [South Tawton Common]?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Cosdon Hill [South Tawton Common] through the maps

Are there other walkers around Cosdon Hill [South Tawton Common]?

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 Cosdon Hill [South Tawton Common] search or of course create your own walk for Cosdon Hill [South Tawton Common]

Can I organise a walk to Cosdon Hill [South Tawton Common]?

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 Cosdon Hill [South Tawton Common].

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 Cosdon Hill [South Tawton Common]?

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 Cosdon Hill [South Tawton Common] 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: SX636915

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

High Willhays

High Willhays

622m

 Brent Tor

Brent Tor

334m

 Dunkery Beacon

Dunkery Beacon

520m

Brown Willy

420m

Rhossili Down - The Beacon

193m
See 5 more nearby hills