Okehampton Military Ring Road Walk

This 10 km (6.2 mi) loop starts at Sandpits, circles East Mill Tor, climbs toward Okement Hill and East Okement Head, then returns by Deep Ford. It follows rough gravel track and some tarmac, not narrow footpaths. Choose it for a long, open moorland outing; “Miles Without Stiles” doesn’t mean smooth or easy going. Allow about three hours.

Go anticlockwise. Cross New Bridge, follow Black-a-ven Brook upstream, then climb East Mill Tor’s southern flank to a crossroads. The return heads east around East Okement Head, descends to Deep Ford, then follows a northbound track back. Expect a hilly, exposed route, with gravel, tarmac and granite cross-drains. The loop comes close to High Willhays and Yes Tor but climbs neither.

Deep Ford can be impassable after heavy rain. The route lies inside Okehampton’s military training area: check the firing programme and obey red flags by day or red lamps at night; do not cross the range boundary while warning signals are displayed. The open upland is important for ground-nesting dunlin, golden plover and ring ouzel. Dogs are allowed but should be kept on a lead. Sandpits (also called Rowtor) is an informal car park; the nearest listed public toilets are at Okehampton YHA or the A30 services.