Dartmoor · Thursday 21 November 2024

Norsworthy to Hingston Hill Stone Row

A short but dramatic winter hike with Age and Barry—from heavy snow and near-whiteout conditions to brilliant sunshine across a freshly transformed Dartmoor.

Distance3.5–4 miles
Start timeAround 11am
Start pointNorsworthy car park
ConditionsSnow, strong wind & sun

Hike at a glance

Distance
3.5–4 miles
Time
Not recorded
Parking
Free parking at Norsworthy Bridge.
Open what3words: ///applause.studs.boom
Difficulty
Moderate — In clear, dry conditions: 3.5–4 miles of exposed slopes and uneven granite. The reported snow, strong wind and near-whiteout made this outing much more demanding.
Tea/Pub stop
Not recorded
Map planning
Open OS Maps
  • Royal Oak, Meavy
  • Burrator Inn, Dousland
  • Rock Inn, Yelverton

Estimated grades based on the full route in clear, dry conditions: Easy — mostly level, straightforward paths; Moderate — some climbs or uneven ground; Hard — sustained effort, steep or rough ground, or remote navigation; Very hard — exceptional distance or repeated steep climbs. Weather, mud, tides and visibility can make a walk much harder.

Details from this walk’s report. Times reflect this outing; check parking and access before travelling.

With Age and BarryBurrator, DartmoorWinter conditions

A walk of two very different halves

At around 11am, I set off from Norsworthy car park with Age and Barry for a winter walk onto the high ground above Burrator. Our route took us towards Down Tor, then on to Hingston Hill Stone Row and Combeshead Tor, before returning by way of Down Tor to the car.

Light snow was already falling as we began the climb, but it did not stay light for long. The higher we went, the heavier the snowfall became. A strong wind drove the snow across the open moor and visibility deteriorated rapidly, at times approaching near-whiteout conditions. Familiar Dartmoor ground suddenly looked very different, and careful navigation became essential.

Dartmoor had given us the full winter treatment—then, almost on cue, it changed the scenery completely.

By the time we reached Hingston Hill Stone Row, the clouds began to break. The sun appeared and revealed a stunning landscape covered in fresh, untouched snow. The ancient stones, each edged in white, stood out beautifully against the suddenly bright sky.

We continued to Combeshead Tor before turning back towards Down Tor and making our way to Norsworthy. At between 3.5 and 4 miles, it was not one of our longest walks, but the rapidly changing weather made it one of the most memorable. In a matter of minutes we had gone from battling snow and poor visibility to enjoying some of the finest winter views Dartmoor can offer.

Plan the walk

Practical information

A compact Burrator route, but one that becomes serious very quickly in snow, strong wind and poor visibility.

Route

Norsworthy car park, Down Tor, Hingston Hill Stone Row, Combeshead Tor, then back via Down Tor.

Distance and start

Approximately 3.5 to 4 miles, starting at around 11am.

Terrain

Open moorland, uneven granite ground and exposed slopes. Snow can conceal paths, boggy patches and obstacles.

Winter safety

Check the mountain forecast, carry warm waterproof layers, map and compass, and be ready to turn back. In near-whiteout conditions, even familiar routes can become difficult to follow.

Pictures from the day

Ten photographs capturing the climb, the poor visibility and the remarkable change when sunlight finally reached the stone row.

Hiker standing beside a snow-covered granite outcrop on Dartmoor
Snow settling across the granite at Down Tor.
Hingston Hill Stone Row disappearing into snow and mist
The stone row fading into poor visibility.
Hiker walking beside a standing stone in heavy snow
Following the ancient stones through the snow.
Two hikers smiling beside snow-covered standing stones
A quick photograph in wintry conditions.
Sunlit view across snowy Dartmoor towards Burrator
The clouds break to reveal a stunning winter landscape.
Two hikers resting among snow-covered rocks
Age and Barry among the snow-covered granite.
Hingston Hill Stone Row in bright sunshine and fresh snow
Hingston Hill Stone Row transformed by snow and sunlight.
Close view along snow-covered stones beneath a blue sky
Fresh snow outlining every standing stone.
Age and Barry smiling during the snowy Dartmoor walk
Age and Barry enjoying a memorable winter outing.
Stone row stretching away into low cloud across snowy moorland
One last view into the wintry murk.
More Dartmoor hikesBack to the homepage

Location & getting there

Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator, Devon

Parking & travel: Free parking at Norsworthy Bridge.

Find Norsworthy Bridge car park on a map

This map locates the place named above; use the report’s route links to follow the walk.