The 11 Most Amazing Peaks around Buckfastleigh
Best mountain peaks around Buckfastleigh are found within Dartmoor National Park, where the landscape is defined by distinctive granite tors. These exposed hilltops provide a mountainous feel and offer significant opportunities for outdoor activities. Buckfastleigh is situated on the southern edge of this national park, making it a gateway to exploring these unique geological features. The area provides a variety of prominent hills for visitors to discover.
Best mountain peaks around Buckfastleigh
- The most popular mountain peaks is Haytor Rocks, a natural monument that offers panoramic views across the moorland. On a clear day, the view extends to the coast, making it a popular spot for climbing and family walks.
- Another must-see spot is Saddle Tor, a natural monument. Visitors can expect delightful views over the surrounding moorland and its more famous neighbor, Haytor, with opportunities for climbing its rocks.
- Visitors also love Rippon Tor, a viewpoint with spectacular views. It is a bit more challenging to reach than Haytor, offering a sense of solitude and wide-reaching vistas.
- Buckfastleigh is known for its granite tors and exposed hilltops. These features provide a variety of mountain peaks to see and explore, each with unique geological formations and historical significance.
- The mountain peaks around Buckfastleigh are appreciated by the komoot community, with over 460 upvotes and 190 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: June 23, 2026
Haytor Rocks
Highlight • Natural Monument
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Combestone Tor
Highlight • Viewpoint
You can scramble to the top of the rocks if you’ve got steady feet and will often find Dartmoor ponies roaming around the base.
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Saddle Tor
Highlight • Natural Monument
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Rippon Tor
Highlight • Viewpoint
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Yar Tor Summit and Cairn
Highlight • Natural Monument
The ascent from Dartmeet is almost straight up and on the windy and very wet day I did it, took alot out of me. But once ascended the views of the Dartmeet valley and beyond are well worth that climb.
Interestingly on the summit of Yar Tor I found what almost looks like a cairn or a bronze aged structure resembling those found in Grimspound. Very cool.
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Tips from the Community
Didn't know you had to pay £1 to park here. Must be an honesty box?
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A beautiful viewpoint and starting point for hikes
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In the late afternoon towards evening you are pretty much alone. Beautiful place to enjoy a sunset or to marvel at the stars. Here you have a 360 ° panoramic view. https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/planning-your-visit/places/haytor
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Lovely little easy trig point to bag close to the road with great views.
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The Combestone Tor as well as many other rock formations in the Dartmoor National Park with its hills, moorland and wild sheep, cows and horses is of unforgettable beauty in good weather. There are some tourists, but because of the vastness that is not at all noticeable. You also pass lovely villages with sometimes only a few mostly old houses and small rivers with nice bridges. In addition, you are only a few tens of kilometers from the sea, which makes the region a true paradise.
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A big rock indeed. You can see them from a wide area and you can use them as a landmark.
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A fairly steep slope takes you to Haytor Rock. Beautiful surroundings with beautiful panoramas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular tors to visit around Buckfastleigh?
Among the many tors, Haytor Rocks is highly popular, offering panoramic views and opportunities for climbing. Saddle Tor, its neighbor, also provides delightful views. For a more secluded experience with spectacular vistas, Rippon Tor is a great choice.
Are there family-friendly tors near Buckfastleigh?
Yes, several tors are suitable for families. Haytor Rocks is a popular spot for family walks due to its accessibility and impressive views. Combestone Tor is also very easy to access by car and bike, with opportunities for scrambling and spotting Dartmoor ponies, making it ideal for families.
Which tors offer the best panoramic views of Dartmoor?
For expansive 360-degree views, Haytor Rocks is exceptional, with views extending to the coast on clear days. Ryder's Hill, as the highest point on Dartmoor's south moor, also provides vast vistas of the national park and its blanket bog. Combestone Tor offers tremendous views northwards along the Dart Valley and west across rolling moorland.
Are there any tors with historical significance near Buckfastleigh?
Yes, Yar Tor Summit and Cairn features what appears to be a Bronze Age structure, adding a historical dimension to your visit. Rippon Tor is also steeped in history from the Bronze Age. Additionally, Black Rock, a former lime quarry, has the remains of Holy Trinity Church on the hillside above it.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do near the tors?
The area around Buckfastleigh's tors is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, including routes like 'Red Lake and Spoil Heap loop' and 'Hembury Woods loop'. For cycling enthusiasts, there are road cycling routes such as 'Two Bridges and Dartmeet from Ashburton' and gravel biking options like 'Lydia Bridge Waterfall – Avon Dam Reservoir loop'. You can explore more options in the Running Trails around Buckfastleigh, Road Cycling Routes around Buckfastleigh, and Gravel biking around Buckfastleigh guides.
Which tors are easier to access by car or bike?
Combestone Tor is particularly easy to access, with a road passing right by it, making it convenient for both car and bike visitors. Haytor Rocks also has good accessibility, making it a popular choice.
Are there any tors that offer a sense of solitude?
Rippon Tor is a bit more challenging to reach than some of its neighbors, which often means you can enjoy its spectacular views in relative solitude. Ryder's Hill also provides a sense of remoteness due to its location on the south moor.
What unique natural features can be found at the tors?
Dartmoor's tors are distinctive granite rock formations. Ryder's Hill offers views of internationally important blanket bog. Black Rock is a large, impressive quarried rock face known for extensive caves inhabited by bats, which are open for guided tours in the summer. You can also often spot Dartmoor ponies grazing near tors like Combestone Tor.
When is the best time to visit the tors around Buckfastleigh?
Clear days are ideal for visiting the tors to fully appreciate the panoramic views, which can extend to the coast. For specific experiences, Bench Tor is particularly beautiful in late autumn, offering high-above views of the River Dart. Haytor Rocks is also a great vantage point for sunrises and sunsets.
Are there any challenging ascents for experienced hikers?
Yes, Yar Tor Summit and Cairn offers challenging ascents, particularly if approached from Dartmeet, rewarding climbers with spectacular views. Ryder's Hill also provides a remote and rewarding climb. Rippon Tor is considered a bit more challenging to reach than some other popular tors.
What do visitors enjoy most about the tors near Buckfastleigh?
Visitors frequently praise the spectacular and panoramic views from the tors, often extending to the coast. The unique granite rock formations provide excellent opportunities for climbing and exploration. The sense of remoteness and solitude found at some tors, combined with the chance to spot Dartmoor ponies and discover historical sites, also contributes to a highly enjoyable experience.
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