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High Willhays

622m Elevation
537m Prominence
England Country
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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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Padstow to Trevone coastal circular

12.3 km ~3h 30m Moderate

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Ropehaven Cliffs and Black Head

3.4 km ~1h 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.

High Willhays Circular via Meldon Reservoir

This popular route starts at Meldon Reservoir car park, following the reservoir path before ascending Longstone Hill. The path continues to the summit of Yes Tor, offering stunning views, and then leads to High Willhays, the highest point on Dartmoor. The descent loops back via Red-a-ven Brook and Meldon Quarry.

10 km ~3.5 hours Moderate

High Willhays and Yes Tor from Okehampton Camp

Starting at Okehampton Camp, this route takes you on a steady climb through military training land to Yes Tor. From there, you continue to High Willhays, enjoying expansive Dartmoor views. The descent follows the same path back to Okehampton Camp.

8 km ~3 hours Moderate

Meldon Quarry to High Willhays Linear Walk

Begin at Meldon Quarry and follow the path along the West Okement River. The route ascends steeply to Black Tor before continuing across the ridge to High Willhays. The return follows the same path, offering dramatic views along the way.

9 km ~3 hours Moderate

High Willhays via Dinger Tor

This longer route starts at Meldon Reservoir, heading towards Sourton Tors before crossing the high moor to Dinger Tor. From there, a final push takes you to High Willhays. The return route loops via Yes Tor, descending back to Meldon.

12 km ~4.5 hours Challenging

West Okement Valley and High Willhays

A scenic route starting at Black-a-Tor Copse car park, following the West Okement River through ancient woodland. The path climbs steadily past Black Tor to reach High Willhays. Descend via the same path, enjoying views of the valley.

7 km ~2.5 hours Moderate
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Simm Hewitt Nuttall Historic County Top (pre-1889) Administrative County Top (1889 to 1996) Current County/UA Top

Elevation

622m

2,041 ft

Prominence

537m

Coordinates

50.6852, -4.0112

SX580892

OS Map

191

Explorer: OL28N

At the Summit

The summit boasts a prominent trig point and a large stone cairn, a perfect spot for a well-deserved rest and a selfie (but leave the selfie stick at home).

Terrain & Geology

Rocky moorland with grassy patches and occasional boggy areas. Prepare for some squelchy moments.

High Willhays is primarily composed of granite, formed from molten rock that cooled slowly beneath the Earth's surface. This geological feature makes for rugged landscapes and stunning vistas.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, you can see distant hills such as Yes Tor, the sprawling Dartmoor countryside, and on a clear day, even glimpses of the North Devon coast.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Willhays' is thought to derive from 'Will' (a man’s name) and 'hays' (an old term for hedged enclosures), but who Will is remains a bit of a mystery.

Historical Significance

High Willhays is the highest point in Devon, making it a notable landmark for both locals and visitors alike, attracting hikers year-round.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Meldon Reservoir car park (SX563886) offers ample parking and is within a short walking distance to starting routes.

Public Transport

The nearest bus stop is in Okehampton, from where you can take a taxi to Meldon Reservoir or hike about 3.5 km.

Nearby Facilities

There are no facilities on the hilltop itself, but Okehampton offers cafes, shops, and public toilets to stock up before or after your adventure.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Variable weather conditions can change rapidly; be prepared for rain, wind, and sudden fog. Also, watch your step on the rocky trails and avoid the bogs unless you want some unexpected mud facial.

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 High Willhays?

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

Are there other walkers around High Willhays?

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 High Willhays search or of course create your own walk for High Willhays

Can I organise a walk to High Willhays?

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 High Willhays.

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 High Willhays?

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 High Willhays 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: SX580892

View on OpenStreetMap

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