TORS OF DARTMOOR
a database of both lesser- & well-known rocks and outcrops
North Park TorLower Gidleigh Tor, Gidleigh Lower Tor
 This is a fine valley side tor that sits some way to the east of the main part of Gidleigh Tor in that part of the wood known as North Park. It is undoubtedly the area described by William Crossing in the book Gems in a Granite Setting from 1905 where he refers to "several fantastically shaped piles of rock" during an excursion to Gidleigh Chase.  Now enveloped in trees the tor consists of numerous shadowy outcrops on the slopes above and below a springy woodland path that threads its way high above the North Teign River.  Interest in the rocks here was rekindled in 2017 by their inclusion in two publications of that year, firstly by Tim Jenkinson in Dartmoor Magazine where he refers to the site as 'Gidleigh Lower Tor' and explains "on the lower slopes above the river at SX 673878 other brooding piles can be seen" and then by James Clapham in his guide to climbing and bouldering on Dartmoor. Indeed, it is easy to see why climbers would be interested in this tor as the rocks are immense and although it might be considered by some to be related to the tor above the treeline, it is in some respects more extensive and impressive than that. Huge granite rocks sprawl across the slopes here in a dark wilderness of granite that occasions Tim to describe the tor as "an altogether special place".  Sadly, the views from the upper rocks are now obscured on all sides by the wood but this does not detract from the astute accuracy of Crossing's earlier description writing at a time when all the outcrops on the slopes here were visible to him from afar. The area is easily reached from the road at Gidleigh by walking south along a section of the Mariner's Way (a designated public footpath) before dropping into the wood where the rocks soon rear up to the right of the path. You are politely asked to obtain permission from the landowner if you wish to roam the slopes and explore the tor further; this is primarily for people's safety.
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