Meldon Reservoir up Yes Tor: route map, distance and time
619 m · Dartmoor
Yes Tor is the second highest point on Dartmoor, a granite tor with a trig point on the northern moor next to High Willhays.
Climb south-east across open moor of grass and heather to Yes Tor.
Meldon Reservoir at a glance
| Distance | 5.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 352 m |
| Time up | 1h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Meldon Reservoir car park |
| Start grid reference | SX 560 911 |
| Summit grid reference | SX 580 901 |
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 20m | 2h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 25m |
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 14:33 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:16. Start by 14:31 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Yes Tor 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
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 27 mph gusting 34 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 Yes Tor forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Yes Tor?
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 Yes Tor
Yes Tor is the second highest point on Dartmoor, a granite tor with a trig point on the northern moor next to High Willhays. More about Yes Tor, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Nuttall.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- High Willhays (622 m), 0.9 km south
Challenges that include Yes Tor
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 High Willhays
Other routes up Yes Tor
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okehampton Camp | 4.9 km one way | 281 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 560 911, the summit at SX 580 901), 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 5.4 km one way to the summit of Yes Tor, with 352 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.8 km.
How long does Meldon Reservoir take?
About 1h 40m to the summit of Yes Tor and 2h 45m 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 25m 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 14:33 at the latest. Sunset on Yes Tor today is 18:18, Meldon Reservoir takes about 2h 45m 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).