Vixen Tor is one of Dartmoor’s most striking landmarks — and one of its most controversial. Its great stack of granite rises above the Walkham Valley near Merrivale, an unmistakable shape with a story every bit as dramatic as its appearance.
Location: Near Merrivale, between Tavistock and Princetown, south of the B3357.
Grid reference: SX 5423 7425.
Rock: Granite.
Access: Private; visible from public land.
The tor itself
Rising roughly 37 metres above its surroundings, Vixen Tor is often described as Dartmoor’s highest free-standing granite outcrop. Its weathered blocks seem piled one upon another, creating a different silhouette with every change of viewpoint.
Some see a crouching animal; others see a human profile. Its best-known nicknames are the Egyptian Sphinx, Sphinx Rock and Lion’s Head — fitting names for such a distinctive formation.
Why is Vixen Tor private?
The tor stands on privately owned land. Walkers and climbers had previously enjoyed access, but in 2003 a change of ownership brought that access to an end. Concerns about liability for injuries were cited at the time.
The closure prompted a long campaign involving walkers, climbers, the Ramblers and the British Mountaineering Council. Protests included a trespass on New Year’s Day in 2004.
Devon County Council sought to establish two public rights of way to the tor using evidence of past public use. In September 2011, a planning inspector found insufficient evidence of the required continuous 20-year period of use, and the proposed routes were not confirmed.
The current listing remains private, with no public access to the tor. Being inside Dartmoor National Park does not make every piece of land open to visitors.
The legend of Vixana
In Dartmoor folklore, Vixen Tor was home to Vixana, a witch who lived in a cave beneath the rocks. One telling says earth gnomes hollowed out her home at her command.
Watching for travellers, she would summon thick mist around them. Unable to find their way, they wandered into the nearby bog and met a terrible end.
But one young moorman proved more than a match for her. Gifted with the ability to see through mist and become invisible, he escaped her spell and brought about her downfall, pushing her from the tor. Another version says she drowned in the very bog she had used to trap others.
These are legends, rather than recorded history — stories that capture the mystery of a landscape transformed by fog.
Enjoying the view
You do not need to enter the enclosure to appreciate Vixen Tor. Look for viewpoints on public land around the Merrivale area, keeping to permitted ground and away from the carriageway. Park considerately in designated parking areas and check your map before setting off.
For a day exploring this part of Dartmoor, combine views of Vixen Tor with the Merrivale prehistoric settlement and stone rows. Nearby Pew Tor and the Staple Tors also offer ideas for a wider walk; plan a route that respects the private enclosure.
Admire the tor, enjoy the stories — and leave the boundary uncrossed.
Sources and further reading
- Tors of Dartmoor: Vixen Tor, its history and access status
- Dartmoor National Park: Dartmoor legends
- Vixen Tor: background and references
Access information checked 4 October 2026. Check current local information and signs before visiting the surrounding area.