Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor 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.
Follow the military tracks south to Yes Tor, then walk the ridge south to High Willhays.
Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor at a glance
| Distance | 5.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 302 m |
| Time up | 1h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Okehampton Camp |
| Start grid reference | SX 588 930 |
| Summit grid reference | SX 580 892 |
Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 35m |
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 14:28 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:16. Start by 14:26 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m 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 Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor: 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 Okehampton Camp
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Okehampton Camp up Yes Tor
Other routes up High Willhays
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meldon Reservoir | 4.5 km one way | 334 m | 1h 25m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SX 588 930, 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.
Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor: questions and answers
How far is Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor?
Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor is 5.9 km one way to the summit of High Willhays, with 302 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.8 km.
How long does Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor take?
About 1h 40m to the summit of High Willhays and 2h 50m 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 3h 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor?
Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor starts from Okehampton Camp. The grid reference is SX 588 930.
Is Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor 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 Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor today?
By 14:28 at the latest. Sunset on High Willhays today is 18:18, Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor takes about 2h 50m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Okehampton Camp via Yes Tor?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).