Meldon Reservoir up High Willhays: route map, distance and time
622 m · Dartmoor
High Willhays is the highest point on Dartmoor and in southern England, a granite ridge on the northern moor reached from Meldon Reservoir.
Cross the moor south from the reservoir to the granite ridge, on grass and heather that is wet in places.
Meldon Reservoir at a glance
| Distance | 4.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 334 m |
| Time up | 1h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Meldon Reservoir car park |
| Start grid reference | SX 560 911 |
| Summit grid reference | SX 580 892 |
Meldon Reservoir map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- The Pump & Pedal / Okehampton Cycles1.5 km
- Woody's Diner1.6 km
- Public toilets0.6 km
- Public toilets1.5 km
- Public toilets1.6 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Meldon Reservoir takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 55m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:43, sunset 18:18. Start by 14:58 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:16. Start by 14:56 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
High Willhays summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Mostly dry, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 18 mph gusting 26 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:43, sunset 18:18.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 31 mph gusting 38 mph, 94% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:16.
Best day of the next seven for Meldon Reservoir: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 26 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour High Willhays forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb High Willhays?
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -1°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About High Willhays
High Willhays is the highest point on Dartmoor and in southern England, a granite ridge on the northern moor reached from Meldon Reservoir. More about High Willhays, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Yes Tor (619 m), 0.9 km north
Challenges that include High Willhays
More walks from Meldon Reservoir car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Meldon Reservoir up Yes Tor
Other routes up High Willhays
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor | 5.9 km one way | 302 m | 1h 40m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SX 560 911, the summit at SX 580 892), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Meldon Reservoir: questions and answers
How far is Meldon Reservoir?
Meldon Reservoir is 4.5 km one way to the summit of High Willhays, with 334 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.0 km.
How long does Meldon Reservoir take?
About 1h 25m to the summit of High Willhays and 2h 20m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 55m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Meldon Reservoir?
Meldon Reservoir starts from Meldon Reservoir car park. The grid reference is SX 560 911.
Is Meldon Reservoir suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Meldon Reservoir today?
By 14:58 at the latest. Sunset on High Willhays today is 18:18, Meldon Reservoir takes about 2h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Meldon Reservoir?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).