Vehicular access to the north moor

Evening all

Up until now, I've only ever walked on the south moor. This is something I'm keen to redress and looking through this and other internet type places, it would appear that parts of the north moor can be accessed from the military roads on non firing days - which was news to me.

Can anyone give me some general pointers as to potential access points and recognised parking areas? I've only got a standard family estate car before anyone starts thinking about 'off roading'.

I read somewhere about parking at OP15 but am unsure about how you get there.

Any help gratefully received.

You can drive (very carefully in places) around the military ring road around the north moor, with parking possible at OP15. You get there by turning right or left in Okehampton by the White Hart Inn signposted for the Camp. When you get to the camp, keeping the camp on the right hand side, you can then follow the road on to the moors. There are several places to park, which will be quite obvious when you get there.

i think we parked just as the road split passed the camp. as there was a large pulling in place to park, but if you navigate the right hand fork there is plenty of pull in's all of the way up with plenty of room to turn around

Bear in mind that the military ring road is very pitted. I have driven round it in a 4x4 with no problem, but would not attempt it in my current car (Ford Focus). Having said that, walking along the road you do meet 'standard' cars driving carefully along it (probably to/from OP15). Some parts of it are reasonable, but others, as mentioned, need to be driven over very carefully. I have tended now to park by Row Tor, where the road splits, and then walk.

I have seen photos of 'normal' cars (i.e. not 4x4s) parked at OP15, but then again I've seen the state of the military road and I don't think my car could possibly make it. Like John, I have found that parking near Rowtor is easiest.

There is a video on Youtube of a chap driving his Freelander all the way round the ring round, which give a good idea of its condition.

Never the less, I put together a page on my website that might help:

http://www.davebellamy.co.uk/indexViews.htm (click "Moor Car Parks" in the menu on the left).

This takes you to a Google Map with Car Park symbols on. Click the symbol for more information, and click the resulting link for a list of tors within easy walking distance of the Car Park.

It shows what I reckon are the majority of places you can park a car on the moor, although I don't make any guarantees! If anyone knows of any more I'd love to hear from you.

Found the Youtube video here:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_PjlxgsO31Q

It's 40 minutes long so make yourself a coffee first!

Thanks to all for their commments.

Couldn't open the link on the website DaveB but it could be my computer.

You need to copy the link, then paste it into your browser it will then play. You can't just click on it - hope this helps

Hmmm... that's weird - it's clickable for me. It could very well be your profile settings for the forum.

Anyhow - copy and paste it anyway, and see what you think.

Got it! Copying the URL seemed to work. Very comprehensive.

Also checked out the Youtube video. Now if I can just hook up my laptop and 3G card to the ciggy lighter socket I'll have my very own sat nav of sorts!

"It's gripped. It's sorted. Let's off-road!!"

(sorry - obscure Fast Show reference - couldn't resist...)

Likewise no problem here with just clicking on the web page URL.

The youtube video I thought was 'interesting'! If you haven't been to the north moors or on the ring road, then it gives you an idea of what it's like! The 'usual' parking place by Rowtor is where all the cars were parked on the right. As could be seen the road on the west side (from OP15 back to Rowtor) is well and truly broken up, whereas on the east side you have the ford to deal with as well as some rough road
What made me laugh was that there was an Estate car parked up at OP15! Oh well, try it if you want to

I think the point to bear in mind is that it's nothing really to do with '4 wheel drive', or even engine power, but much more to do with the ground clearance of the car. You could easily see how much the Landrover, and the camerawoman, were being tossed around at some points by the depth of the potholes. Along with the occasional exclamation as they went over a pothole a bit too fast as well

Last time I was up that way, my brother and I were walking back from Dinger Tor to Row Tor and we were passed by a bunch of squaddies in a Toyota Hilux who were doing about 40mph along the track. They did slow down as they went past us, and gave us a wave and a friendly "Hello".

Given the right vehicle you could have a lot of fun up there. I think Row Tor or maybe Cullever Steps is as far as I'll take mine though.

ETA: Saying that... our survey boys at work took a couple of Astra vans up past East Okement Farm a few years ago to survey a guaging station site. I suppose it's different when it's not your car though.